Understanding Holiness.

 We are given this command in the word of God.

“Be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:16 NIV

Not sure about you but I often find myself thinking that this is a really huge ask. I mean how do we even be Holy like Jesus or God? He is the ultimate version of holiness, surely we are unable to emulate that?

Partly I think is our understanding of what Holy means, in our understanding it's to be Pure, sinless, innocent, without fault or failing. I am not saying that it should not include all of those elements but as humans we can't even pretend to be all of that all the time, and I am sure that was not God's intention when he gave the command. 

The actual definition of Holy is "Dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred."

This makes a bit more sense, at least I can try to be fully dedicated to God who is ultimately "exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness"

He Jesus is all that and so much more, and I strive and desire to be like Him. So why then is it so difficult? Again I partly think that in my understanding is based on thinking that what I put into myself self defiles or makes me unholy. A commen misconception I believe. If I watch unhelpful material or receive thoughts or temptations that I know to not be pure or innocent, then I am unholy. However I think a change of perception and understanding is required, based on what I feel God the Father revealed to me recently as I struggled with the issue.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Proverbs 4:23 NIV

"What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

Matthew 15:11 NIV

"but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

James 1:14‭-‬15 NIV

It becomes apparent that it's more to do with what comes out of that makes us unholy, than what goes in. I am not saying we should be neglectful of what we take in, the command is to "Guard your Heart " fully and completely. What is also completely apparent is that this not guarding your heart is displeasing and very unhelpful to ourselves or the Kingdom of God.

"Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

James 3:10‭-‬12 NIV

Additionally I discovered that the "heart and thinking are closely related, almost to the degree of being the same.

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Proverbs 23:7 KJV

So in other words if we want and have to guard our hearts we also need to renew our minds.

"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."

Romans 12:2 NIV

I did wonder how is it possible for us to accomplish this? Renewing your mind and guarding your heart, how ?

First off I believe it is a choice, like deciding that Jesus is in fact the Lord and master of your life, see the scripture below.

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15 NIV

At some point you have to take accountability and responsibility for your choices, your way or God's way. However there are consequences to deciding against God and benefits to go with His way

"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live"

Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV

I can't make it simpler than the scripture, life or death?

The good news is that if we choose life we can renew our minds and guard our hearts, if we are what we think and know we need to think differently, how is that possible? Well thinking and meditating are synonymous in my understanding.

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers."

Psalms 1:1‭-‬3 NIV

Additionally we don't do this alone, we are to do this in community, having made the choice to serve God and to renew and guard our hearts, so that we can be Holy as he is Holy. 

"Dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred." This i think is possible if we love and support each other to be just that.

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15 NIV