During lent we prepare ourselves for Easter by praying, fasting, alms-giving, repenting and observing good conduct. Christians strive to live in holiness during lent, however, sadly for most believers the holiness observance ends at Easter and they are back to their former ways of worldly living.

Holiness and sanctification are translated from the Greek word “Hagiasmos”, which means to set apart or separate, it also means consecrated and purified. Holiness is not a human trait, holiness is not imprinted in human DNA, our DNAs are corruptible. Holiness is not something we can do or become, holiness is something that God does, Holiness is who God is. “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:3; Rev. 4:8).

When we try to make ourselves holy we totally miss it. It is not our holiness that draws us to Jesus Christ, it is Jesus Christ alone who makes us holy. Just as our righteousness is like filthy rags in the eyes of God, likewise, our effort to become holy is only foolishness in the sight of God.

The only way a person can become holy is to partake in the Holiness of God, it is by being transformed into the nature of God. Jesus died for our sins on the cross and fully acquitted us from all unrighteousness and He imputed to us His righteousness. When we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour, we accept His righteousness and we accept His holiness and are transformed by the Holy Spirit.

It is our relationship with Jesus Christ that makes us Holy, since He alone is Holy, as scripture says, “… apart from God you can do nothing.” (John 15:5b NIV). We are sanctified as we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. It is through this sanctification process that Jesus Christ sets us apart as His own. Holiness is being set apart for God, standing out from the rest of the world. Holiness is separation from sin, separation from evil, separation from our former human nature and taking on the divine nature of God. For God to sanctify us, we need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV). For God to have a relationship with us, for Him to call us His sons and daughters, we must share in the same likeness as Him. God is all pure and holy and for Him to have communion with us, we should get rid of all filth and wickedness to commune with Him.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV). Holiness is a result of being born again in the Holy Spirit and being in Jesus Christ. God transforms us little by little until the day we see Him face to face. Holiness is humble submission to God, letting Him mould you and perfect you in His image and likeness.

“Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness – without it no one will see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14). Holiness begins to activate in our lives the moment we are saved, but the evidence is shown when we yield to God, and allow the Holy Spirit to bear fruits in our lives. We can pursue peace and holiness by accepting the grace of God. When we cease from human efforts and let God work in our lives, we will be transformed from glory to glory. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you (Isaiah 26: 3 NIV).

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