Be Like Jesus- Holiness

Pastor Ryan Binkley

7-minute read

 

Out of everything I share, this is one of the most important messages that we could ever explore, because of the state our world is in. And I think we’d all agree that what our world needs most is for us to be like Jesus.

What would it look like if we could get the church to really look like Jesus?

What if I could focus my life around who Jesus is and set my life goal to be like him? We wouldn’t be long on that journey before we discover this one, important truth:

The more we look like Jesus, the less we look like the world.

That’s because there’s a single word that I want to talk about with you right now, and today’s culture wants nothing to do with it. That word is… Holiness. Holiness is not a word you hear a lot about anymore in the world or in the church! Many see holiness as antiquated or unachievable. Very few people that call themselves Christians have set a goal in life to live holy before God and others.

So let me start off by clarifying what holiness is not:

  1. Holiness is not self-righteousness.
  2. Holiness is not just following a list of rules.

The word holiness means to be separate.

For you to be holy, you must be separate: unique, distinct, set apart, or unusual. So what does pursuing holiness look like?

1. BE HOLY IN YOUR BODY

When you’re born again, your spirit comes alive and now the battle of transforming your mind and body begins. This was the most difficult part for me when I started following Christ! God’s word in First Corinthians 6:18-20 says,

“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Holiness in your body is a daily sacrifice!  Romans 12:1-2 is pivotal to help us understand this because not only does it explain holiness in your body, but also brings us to the second point…

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, HOLY AND PLEASING TO GOD – this is your true and proper WORSHIP. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

2. BE HOLY IN YOUR MIND

The PRIMARY battle ground where the enemy wages war against you is your mind. Everything that happens in your body starts in your mind. Second Corinthians 10:3-6 states,

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

Every day I have a choice to make: What do I allow in my mind? Therefore, The enemy is working hard to get to the minds of children and youth to shape the way they think and act for the rest of their lives! And the Lord wants our precious children to be holy; to be separate, unique, and distinct from the world.

I want you to use these two questions to test any attitude or action to know what God’s standard for Holiness in your mind and body is:

  1. Will this increase the influence of Christ in my life?
  2. Will this decrease the influence of Christ in my life?

This is what happens when you respond to God’s holiness: You begin to think and act like Christ! This manifests in the way you handle relationships (both strangers and friends), your finances, your marriage, and your children. Everything about you begins to come in line with God’s plan for your life instead of the enemy’s plan to bring you pain and confusion.

So, remember, holiness is to live set apart, separate, and unique. I look forward to seeing you soon!