It has been said that it takes 21 days to form a habit. I found this to be true for me when I tested it with making my bed every morning. After 21 days it was a piece of cake! However, when I think about holiness, I think of my chief aim in life being to please God.
So, I’m training myself to be set apart from worldly ways of existing and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill me with Himself by yielding more to Him and His desires rather than those of myself or someone else’s. I don’t by any means claim to be without errors in this endeavor, but it is my daily goal that people would experience less of me and more of Him in our time together.
Thankfully, the Bible assures us “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8)
The Bible tells us in 1 John 3:2-3 that “…we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
Further, in 2 Timothy 2:19-21 we are told that “…Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness. In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”
Salvation occurs when we first commit to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and turn from our old ways of living in sin. Yet, regarding holiness, as a result, we seek to establish new habits of a holy life, demonstrating our love for Christ, which help us and others to grow–namely, through prayer, Bible study, and worship.
It’s important to carve out a specific time daily, whether 15 minutes or an hour, to spend time alone with the Lord, talking to Him, listening to Him, thinking about Him and what He has spoken to us. We need special times in study of the Bible as this is how we come to know God and learn what actually pleases Him, as well as the history of others in His family.
The local church is a place where we can worship together and grow in those things that require our time together as a family of believers. As God has set us apart in our accepting what He’s done for us, as well as His authority as Lord in our lives, we can look forward to experiencing the abundant life He has promised us.
Therefore, “…let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25) Also, “since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Ms. Rita's Minute 