Holiness, not happiness, is the chief end of man.
– Oswald Chambers.
Holiness. Some people think it is something that we immediately get when we become Christians. This is partly correct, for Jesus Christ’s righteousness is imputed in us when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. However, we have to remember that we can never be fully holy while we are on earth.
Bible Reading
Today’s devotional reading is from the Book of Leviticus 20:26. Please, read our recent devotional from the Book of Ecclesiastes 9:10: Strive Hard Now For Nothing Is In The Grave
Separation to achieve holiness
Leviticus 20 is where we read the punishment of God to those who do unholy practices, sexual immorality and child sacrifices, to name a few. And in the last part of the chapter, we can see God’s command to His people, Israel, to be holy. In verse 26, God has issued to the Israelites that their ways should be separate from the people before them. For He is their Holy Lord, therefore they too should be holy.
The prophet Isaiah and Paul emphasized the importance of separating ourselves from the world to be holy when they wrote: therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you (2 Corinthians 6:17, Isaiah 52:11).
Place your happiness on obtaining holiness
We have to determine the source of our happiness. Some of us may be happy because we are living comfortable lives, families and friends around us. These are good sources of satisfaction, however, where are all these blessings coming from. Moreover, we tend to be superficial when we look at the source of our joy and tend to forget the Provider behind all we receive.
Let us not be too attached to the world, because if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). But let us delight in the law of the Lord, and on his law, let us meditate day and night (Psalm 1:2).
Reflection
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV.
- Do we have to choose between Holiness and Happiness? Read more about it.
- Where does your happiness lie?
- Have you accepted the Holiness of Jesus Christ in your life? Accept Jesus Now.
- What are the things you are doing to achieve holiness?
- Are you sharing this goal of holiness with others?
- Is it a struggle for you to work out your holiness?
Related Posts
- Blessed is the man…
- Vanity
- What Do You Know About Your Heart’s Desire?
- How To Acquire The Imperishable Crown Of Eternal Life?
- Seek the Good for Others
Prayer
Loving Lord, how I thank You that in Christ I have Your Holy Spirit living in me to live and work to Your praise and glory. O Lord, help me to keep looking to Jesus, and to keep my mind on the things above, not on the things that are of this world system. Help me, I pray, to look away from the things of the world and to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, and to be numbered with those who call on the Lord with a pure and humble heart.
Guide me to live my life in a manner that is pleasing to my God, in gentleness towards others and reverence towards You. Prevent me, I pray, from being squeezed into the world’s mould, but rather may I be conformed more and more, into the image and likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on Him, Who is the Author and Finisher of my faith, and in Whose name I pray. Amen.
(from Knowing-Jesus.com)
