Holiness is not a straitjacket

It is actually the opposite of one!  It sets you free!  Free from a life of addictions, bitterness, and regret.  Many think that living a life of Holiness is one that confines you to living under vows of poverty, chastity, and submission.

Before I accepted Jesus as my savior, I thought I couldn’t live for Him because I still wanted what the world offered.  The alcohol, cigarettes, wild parties, promotions at work, all that money could buy, the popularity in my little corner of the world.  I wanted to live my life the way I wanted to, knowing it wasn’t right.  I would say to myself, “when I’m older I’ll do the right thing and go to church.  I’ll live for God and I’ll bring all of my friends and family with me.”  Ha!  I also thought I had to clean up my act before God would even accept me. 

Ten years of living that way cost me a lot.  It almost cost me my marriage.  Thankfully, that was restored to both of us.  We were not a good example for our daughters at the time.  They saw things they shouldn’t have.   When I finally gave my heart to God, I was in a desperate place.  I was trying to determine what path to take in my life.  Do I get a divorce?  Do I move away?  What about my kids?  Again, thankfully, God had an answer.  And that was to stay right where I was and give everything to Him. 

Just the way you are

Turned out God wanted me just the way I was.  I didn’t have to clean up first.  Good thing, because no matter how I tried to quit all the habits, I couldn’t.   I needed Him to help me;  I didn’t know that.  I came to Jesus smoking, drinking, lying, cursing, and cheating.  Not to mention prideful, arrogant, and sarcastic.  However, it wasn’t any one of those things that led me to the altar.  What led me to Him was His love for me.   Throughout my life, I knew He was there, somewhere, in the background. 

I know He was because people kept coming into my life to tell me about Jesus.  People would invite me to church.  I would cry.  Then get mad at the feelings I had and my prideful heart would reason that I wasn’t ready.   When I finally did,  I was set free.  Not in an instantaneous way like some are, but in a gradual learning to hand everything over to Him.   Early in my Christian walk, I learned that God set me apart for himself.  That’s what He does, He sets us apart.  Not knowing exactly what this meant, I looked it up.  

Holiness

In 1 Peter 1:16, He says, “You shall be holy, for I am holy”  When I read that, I at first thought of the people in my neighborhood that wear long dresses and had their hair up in buns.  I just couldn’t bring myself to it.  Turns out that was not what God was asking of me.  

Holiness refers to the state or process of being set apart.   As a vessel, full of the Holy Spirit of God.  Being holy is a setting apart for a particular use or purpose.  Being sanctified, if you will.  A Wikipedia Article on Sanctification says it this way “…but the most common use within Christian theology is in reference to the change brought about by God in a believer, beginning at the point of salvation and continuing throughout the life of the believer. Many forms of Christianity believe that this process will only be completed in Heaven, but some believe that complete holiness is possible in this life.”   My belief is that the process will be completed in Heaven.

So, see, Holiness is not a straitjacket.  It is a process wherein God brings you closer to Himself, first salvation through His son Jesus, then through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who teaches and guides us along the way if we allow Him.  He sets us apart, not tying us down with rules and laws to follow.  He loves us and wants our love back.  We love by following His lead. 

Still a work in progress

I’m not perfect, I am still sarcastic and cuss sometimes.  I am thankful that I don’t smoke anymore or hang out in bars.  Every now and then I am tempted, but His Holy Spirit is within me so I can say no.   

Also, I don’t have regrets.  I lived how I lived; I can’t go back.  I know that God has forgiven me.  His word says He doesn’t bring up my past, He has thrown my sin as far as the east is from the west.  (See Proverbs 102:12)    Satan will remind me occasionally, but again I have the Holy Spirit who reminds me of God’s word, and I speak it out loud for the devil to hear!   

How about you?  Are you set apart?  What areas in your life are you still giving over to Him?

I want you to face the mountain so that you can see,

When the mountain is out of the way all there is left is Me.

Only I can move the mountain, only I can push it away,

Only I can conquer the problems that you face today,

Your only job is to believe, to listen to My voice,

And when you hear what I command, obedience is your choice.

But I will not make it too difficult for the victory is already Mine,

And I will fill you with My Spirit and through you My Grace will shine.

Not when you are perfect, like you think you need to be,

But when your heart is willing to become more and more like Me.

Author Unknown

Instagram, posted by @womenoffaith