"Wholly" HOLY!!

Photo by Sindy SuBengut on Unsplash

Holy Week 2025 has me thinking more deeply about its meaning and significance! Let me tell you why you should too!

Christianity is one of three religions (Islam and Judaism are the others) that believe in one God and celebrate something similar to Holy Week in the Spring.  Muslims have been observing Ramadan since March with teachings, fasting and prayers.  The Jewish Passover traditions are more familiar to us because of our religious roots and are filled with meditative reflections on the goodness of God during times of trouble.

In any case, what observants of each share is a desire to set aside time to remember with gratitude all we have gone through in the human experience.  A time to connect more seriously with our faith and our conviction to the tenets of God's Word.  Much discipline is required to live out what we say we believe but now more than ever, Christians need to be Wholly HOLY!

WHOLLY: Completely, Entirely, To the Fullest Extent

Calendars are helpful to remind us to practice a period of holiness! They can tell us when to start a 40 day or 21 day fast.  Google will give you menus to guide your diet, what to eat or not to eat.  It is also a wonderful place to find just the right devotional or prayer to fill those challenging days of denial.  But is that what HOLINESS IS ABOUT?   

I Peter 1:16-17 (ESV)

Since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy. And if you call on Him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.

Let's do a deep dive in the scripture above: (a) It is written - Is the Word of God something you truly believe and desire to obey or is it just another book of rules to help you keep tabs on God's favor earned (like a scout's merit badge) as a Christian?  Click Here: Isaiah 64:6 (NIV)  

Holiness is more than ritualist observances: Sunday church attendance is important but not if you're only trying to make up for sins you committed during the week! Fasting and praying is not  just a group project or a sanctified diet. It should be a time of soul searching; repentance and godly remorse.  We pray sincerely for revelation and strength to deny the passions and ungodly pleasures of the flesh. For the fresh renewal of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives.  Click Here: Galatians 5:22-23

(b) You shall be holy, for I am holy: Peter is not saying your standard of holiness should be based on him - what and how he conducts himself.  Jesus, the Great I AM is the Standard. Holiness is a process! It's not anything that you will perfectly attain in this life.  Every time you achieve a margin of success in one area of your life the Lord will reveal another place that needs "tweaking!" It will take a lifetime!  That's why Christian author, Jerry Bridges says in his book, The Pursuit of Holiness: "We will always be pursuing--as  opposed to attaining --holiness in this life."  Click Here: Hebrews 12:14 ( NKJV)

So, What Does It Mean To Be Wholly Holy?

Look again  at I Peter 1:17 clause: (c)  If you call on Him as Father: If is a conditional word! Is God your Father? Your relationship to the Lord is the key!  Do you know how powerful this connection is?  Many of us don't and those who do take it for granted! To be Wholly Holy is not about perfection or performance - it is relating to the Father in such a way that He sees (El Roi) the sincerity of your heart and will grant you the willingness to sustain while you are in this world. Click Here: Psalm 51:12 (KJV) To be Wholly Holy God must be actively working in your life!!

El Tsidkenu (Our Righteousness) is looking for your COMMITMENT TO HOLINESS! THE TOTALITY OF IT: Mind, Body and Spirit!  Your thought life must be Holy. The desires and motives of your heart Righteous. Your conduct Pleasing to Him: What you do with your body. What you put in it.  What you put on it. Where you take it!

(d) He judges: according to each one's deeds, [so]conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.  Saints are in the world but not of the world, therefore, we too are in exile until our Redeemer comes to get us out of here!

El Tsidkenu (Our Righteousness) is looking for your CONVICTION TO HOLINESS! What will you sacrifice?  Your Social Media presence and popularity? Trendy clothes? Cultural status among your peers?   None of these things will keep God from loving you or send you to hell! But know this:  You are NOT "Wholly Holy!"

If Not Wholly Holy - Then Maybe a New Identity!

        Meet some fellow church members:

•    Sis. Half Stepper - Has one foot in the world and one in the church!
•    Bro. Fence-Sitter -Is present for all the accolades but too busy or too sick to serve!
•    Sis. Sell-Out -  Dresses and acts to impress, look hot, or bring attention to self!
•    Bro. Faith Breaker - Not dependable, full of excuses until something he wants to do!

Holy Week is the perfect time to STOP, DROP, AND PRAY about where you are in your Faith Walk! What you want to be known for as it concerns your relationship to Christ, and especially what kind of Witness or Light you want to shine forth in this increasingly dark world!

Yes, By all means, Fast, Pray, and Participate in all the Holy Week Celebrations....But if not done while Wholly Holy, you're nothing as Jesus said to the Pharisees but  WHITEWASHED TOMBS! 

Click Here:Matthew 23:27

Happy Resurrection Day!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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