For Those Desiring a Deep Christian Faith...
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Daily Meditation
  • Past Daily Meditations
    • 2025 Meditations
    • July Meditations >
      • July 3
      • July 7
      • July 10
      • July 12
    • June Meditations >
      • June 2
      • June 4
      • June 7
      • June 11
      • June 14
      • June 17
      • June 20
      • June 23
      • June 25
      • June 28
      • June 30
    • May Meditations >
      • May 1
      • May 5
      • May 7
      • May 10
      • May 13
      • May 15
      • May 19
      • May 22
      • May 24
      • May 27
      • May 30
    • April Meditations >
      • April 1
      • April 5
      • April 8
      • April 10
      • April 14
      • April 18
      • April 23
      • April 25
      • April 28
    • March Meditations >
      • March 4
      • March 6
      • March 9
      • March 11
      • March 13
      • March 16
      • March 19
      • March 22
      • March 26
      • March 28
    • February Meditations >
      • February 4
      • February 6
      • February 9
      • February 11
      • February 15
      • February 18
      • February 21
      • February 25
      • February 28
    • January Meditations >
      • January 4
      • January 7
      • January 9
      • January 12
      • January 15
      • January 18
      • January 22
      • January 24
      • January 26
      • January 28
      • January 31
    • 2024 Meditations
    • December Meditations >
      • December 2
      • December 5
      • December 8
      • December 10
      • December 12
      • December 15
      • December 18
      • December 21
      • December 24
      • December 27
      • December 30
    • November Meditations >
      • November 2
      • November 5
      • November 8
      • November 10
      • November 13
      • November 15
      • November 19
      • November 22
      • November 26
      • November 28
    • October Meditations >
      • October 1
      • October 3
      • October 6
      • October 8
      • October 11
      • October 13
      • October 16
      • October 19
      • October 22
      • October 25
      • October 28
      • October 30
    • September 2024 Meditations
    • August 2024 Meditations
    • July 2024 Meditations
    • June 2024 Meditations
    • May 2024 Meditations
    • April 2024 Meditations
    • March 2024 Meditations
    • February 2024 Meditations
    • January 2024 Meditations
    • 2023 Meditations >
      • December 2023 Meditations
      • November 2023 Meditations
      • October 2023 Meditations
      • September 2023 Meditations
      • August 2023 Meditations
      • July 2023 Meditations
      • June 2023 Meditations
      • May 2023 Meditations
      • April 2023 Meditations
      • March 2023 Meditations
      • February 2023 Meditations
      • January 2023 Meditations
    • 2022 Daily Meditations >
      • February 2022 Meditatons
      • March 2022 Meditations
      • April 2022 Meditations
      • May 2022 Meditations
      • June 2022 Meditations
      • July 2022 Meditations
      • August 2022 Meditations
      • September 2022 Meditations
      • October 2022 Meditations
      • November 2022 Meditations
      • December 2022 Meditations
    • 2021 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2021 Meditations
      • February 2021 Meditations
      • March 2021 Meditations
      • April 2021 Meditations
      • May 2021 Meditations
      • June 2021 Meditations
      • July 2021 Meditations
      • August 2021 Meditations
      • September 2021 Meditations
      • October 2021 Meditations
      • November 2021 Meditations
      • December 2021 Meditations
    • 2020 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2020 Archive
      • February 2020 Archive
      • March 2020 Archive
      • April 2020 Archive
      • May 2020 Archive
      • June 2020 Archive
      • July 2020 Archive
      • August 2020 Archive
      • September 2020 Archive
      • October 2020 Archive
      • November 2020 Archive
      • December 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2019 Archive
      • February 2019 Archive
      • March 2019 Archive
      • April 2019 Archive
      • May 2019 Archive
      • June 2019 Archive
      • July 2019 Archive
      • August 2019 Archive
      • September 2019 Archive
      • October 2019 Archive
      • November 2019 Archive
      • December 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Daily Meditations >
      • December 2018 Archive
      • November 2018 Archive
      • October 2018 Archive
      • September 2018 Archive
      • August 2018 Archive
      • July 2018 Archive
      • June 2018 Archive
      • May 2018 Archive
      • April 2018 Archive
      • March 2018 Archive
      • February 2018 Archive
      • January 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2017 Archive
      • February 2017 Archive
      • March 2017 Archive
      • April 2017 Archive
      • May 2017 Archive
      • June 2017 Archive
      • July 2017 Archive
      • August 2017 Archive
      • September 2017 Archive
      • October 2017 Archive
      • November 2017 Archive
      • December 2017 Archive
  • Special Bible Studies
    • Do you hold a grudge?
    • Have you actually asked for God's help?
    • Forgiveness and Healing
    • Sin is the cause of all your problems
    • Amazing Grace!
    • For when you battle something big...
    • Is there a Resurrection of the Dead?
    • Deeply hidden sin
    • Are you consumed by worry?
    • What does it mean to be holy before God?
    • Is God punishing you?
    • Spiritual Warfare
    • Stubborn?
    • How often do you pray?
    • Have doubts?
    • Who are you listening to?
    • Emotional Black Holes
    • Unanswered prayers?
    • Have you compromised your faith?
    • Life in the pits...
    • Is your life in a rut?
    • Demonic Influences?
    • Let God Ease Your Burdens!
    • Danger of Success
    • Feeling alone
    • Are you broken-hearted?
    • Feel vulnerable?
    • Is God pushing you?
    • Do you lack faith
    • Being Tested
    • Your Place in Heaven
    • Does your past haunt you?
    • Is worldliness creeping into your life?
    • What is acceptable worship?
    • Angry?
    • Spiritual Radar
    • Can you be obedient to God?
    • Courage in the Face of Trials
    • Does Hell Exist
    • A Sin of Omission
    • When Life Gets Crazy
    • When God is Silent
    • Weakness
    • On Death and Dying
    • Feeling Guilty for no Reason?
    • Is wealth damaging your faith?
    • Satans Games
    • Death and Eternal Life
    • Depression
    • Family Problems
    • False Guilt
    • Food Issues
    • A Lack of Forgiveness
    • Frustration
    • Jealousy or Envy
    • Life out of Balance
    • Lying to Yourself or Others
    • Getting Married
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Prayer Life
    • Repentance
    • Sharing the Faith
    • Socialism
    • Stressed out
    • Impatience
    • Too Hard on Yourself
  • Uplifting Video for the Day
  • Videos for Reflection
    • Videos for Reflection 2
    • Videos for Reflection 3
    • Videos for Reflection 4
    • Videos for Reflection 5
    • Videos for Reflection 6
    • Videos for Reflection 7
    • Videos for Reflection 8
    • Videos for Reflection 9
    • Videos for Reflection 10
    • Videos for Reflection 11
    • Videos for Reflection 12
    • Videos for Reflection 13
    • Videos for Reflection 14
    • Videos for Reflection 15
    • Videos for Reflection 16
  • Standing up for God
    • Jatya
    • Archbishop Mouche
    • Pastor Andrew Brunson
    • Our Coptic Christian Friends
    • Petr Jasek
  • Bible Challenge Gateway
  • Faith Issues in the Modern World
    • Preacher Arrested for Protesting Pride Event
    • Christians Attacked by ISIS in Mozambique
    • The Pope Changes Lord's Prayer
    • Museum of the Bible Washington DC USA
    • Persecution at All-Time High
    • Suicide Bombing in Pakistan Christian Church
    • Attack by Muslim terrorists against Egyptian Church
    • Underground Christians in China
    • More Persecution of Chinese Christians
    • The Growing Church in Iran
    • Christian Parenting Failing God
  • Video Studies
    • Video Bible Study Introduction
    • Prayer in the Bible
    • Faith Hebrews 11
  • Walls of Inspiration
    • Wall of Inspiration 1
    • Wall of Inspiration 2
    • Wall of Inspiration 3
    • Wall of Inspiration 4
    • Wall of Inspiration 5
    • Wall of Inspiration 6
    • Wall of Inspiration 7
    • Wall of Inspiration 8
    • Wall of Inspiration 9
    • Wall of Inspiration 10
    • Wall of Inspiration 11
    • Wall of Inspiration 12
    • Wall of Inspiration 13
    • Wall of Inspiration 14
    • Wall of Inspiration 15
    • Wall of Inspiration 16
    • Wall of Inspiration 17
    • Wall of Inspiration 18
    • Wall of Inspiration 19
    • Wall of Inspiration 20
    • Wall of Inspiration 21
  • Bible Helps
  • Stories of God's Power
  • Comments
  • Bible Challenge Badge Earners

What does it mean to be holy before God?

Picture

  “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1:15–16, NLT)

Narcissism is defined as an overarching love of oneself.  The goal of a narcissist is to judge others according to their worth to you, accumulate things to make your life easier, accumulate people around you who always make you feel like you are the center of the universe, and seek to promote your self-image.  Between 1997 and 2006, those tested for Narcissism increased by 30%.   As an interesting corollary, during the latter 1900’s, many educators pushed the need to endow students with more self-esteem.  Many scholars today have concluded that indoctrinating students with the goal of higher self-esteem has led to a certain portion of the population developing narcissistic disorders and lifestyles.  In essence, teaching children to focus on themselves and their own image has led to a rise in people who are entirely self-centered and selfish, i.e., narcissistic.
 
 Nowhere does the Bible teach that parents should focus on a child’s self-esteem in the raising of their children.  Quite the opposite, the Bible teaches the parents should teach their children to respect God, respect their parents (“honor your father and mother”!), and treat others in a righteous and godly manner.   Instead of focusing on the self, the Bible focuses on the love of others.   Sadly, our world is bent on doing the opposite. Worldly thinking promotes self-love, selfishness, self-centeredness, narcissistic endeavors, and self-esteem.  John MacArthur has warned that even Christians have bought into the lie of self-love and self-esteem building.  He wrote: “The supreme goal pursued by many in our narcissistic culture is a “healthy” self–esteem. Even Christians have jumped on the self–esteem bandwagon, misconstruing Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 19:19) as a mandate for self–love. But the Bible nowhere commands us to pursue self–esteem; instead, it commands us to be holy (1 Peter 1:16).”  (Strength for Today).
 
Like MacArthur, I see how important is the need to focus on holiness, not to focus on self-esteem when raising children or living one’s life.   1 Peter 1 reinforces this focus by saying, “you must be holy in everything you do” (1 Peter 1:15).  1 Peter 1:16 even quotes the Old Testament, where God says, “You must be holy because I am holy”.  These same words are spoken by God in Leviticus 11:44, Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:26, Leviticus 21:8, among other places!  Being holy is not only a trait of God.  It must be a trait in your life if you want to be faithful.  So, how does one be holy?
 
The Bible states a number of things required for you to be holy.  Leviticus 20:7 teaches that you must consecrate yourself in order to be holy before God.  To do this, you must dedicate your life and your will to follow God.   Asking the Holy Spirit to not only live in you but speak to you is a good first step.  Baptism, an altar call, and a public confession of faith with a dedication to faithful living follows thereafter.   Faithful living involves giving God your offerings, following God’s commandments, living a righteous life, and conducting yourself in godly ways while doing what is right before God’s eyes (Leviticus 21:6, Numbers 15:40, 1 Corinthians 7:34, 1 Peter 1:15, Revelation 22:11).  Holiness entails living a godly life wholly dedicated to following the will of God in Christ while worshipping God alone.
 
Have you ever noticed that “holy” things used in worship are not to be used in other places?  For example, things used for communion in worship are not to be used for other purposes.  Wine goblets used in communion are not to be used for drinking parties or public drinking.  Holy places, like sanctuaries, are not to be used for public parties, hobby conventions, or the like.  That is because these places are “holy”.  The word “holy” means set apart or sacred.  When you are “holy”, you are to be set apart from the world.  Your life should be different from worldly people. Your attitudes and actions should be faithful in conduct not full of drunkenness, worldly displays, impurity, idolatry, sorcery, dissention, party spirit, etc.  Galatians 5:16-26 explains this very understanding of holiness. 
 
If you are to be holy before God, what does that mean to you personally?
 
Carolyn grew up the daughter of a pastor.  She was a beautiful child, much loved by her family and the congregations her father served.   Carolyn was a smart child, yet conscientious.   She got excellent grades and used her knowledge to help others.   She went on several mission trips, was a Sunday School teacher’s aide, and always willing to reach out to those in need. 
 
When Carolyn was in her sophomore year in college at Northwestern, her closest friends teased her about being a virgin.  Her roommate shared with Carolyn that people were looking down on her for being “so religious” and “a virgin Mary”.  Feeling the stares and peer pressure from others, Carolyn asked her boyfriend to have sex with her.  He happily agreed.  After having sex with him, Carolyn found herself feeling different.  Instead of feeling enlightened as a woman and accepted by her friends, Carolyn felt ashamed and dirty.   Her prayer life suffered.  She felt ashamed that she had become so worldly in her actions and beliefs.  It took months for Carolyn to feel at peace in her soul again.
 
Carolyn’s sexual act was brought on by a desire to be “normal” and “a real woman”.  All it really did was make her feel distant from God and ashamed of her choices.   Carolyn experienced real holiness UNTIL she succumbed to worldly and fleshly pressures.   It took her a long time to feel holy before God again. 
 
   Horatius Bonar wrote the following about holiness:  “A holy life is made up of a multitude of small things. Little words, not eloquent speeches or sermons; little deeds, not miracles or battles, or one great heroic effort or martyrdom, make up the true Christian life. It’s the little constant sunbeam, not the lightning, the waters of Siloam that go softly in their meek mission of refreshment, not ‘the waters of the rivers great and many’ rushing down in torrent, noise, and force, that are the true symbols of a holy life.”
 
  Bonar then warned against the “little evils, little sins, little inconsistencies, little weaknesses, little foibles, little indulgences of self and of the flesh, little acts of indolence or indecision, or slovenliness or cowardice, little equivocations or aberrations from high integrity, little bits of covetousness, little indifferences to the feelings or wishes of others, little outbreaks of temper, or crossness, or selfishness or vanity” (from “Our Daily Bread” as found in 10,000 Sermon Illustrations; 2002).  It’s these little evils that eat away and destroy the holy life.
 
What little or big things are corroding your holy life?  What is keeping you holy before the Lord? Are selfish thoughts and actions eroding your faith?  The scripture for today doesn’t say you “should” be holy.  It states that you “MUST” be holy before the Lord.   How well are you living up to God’s command to be holy?

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Daily Meditation
  • Past Daily Meditations
    • 2025 Meditations
    • July Meditations >
      • July 3
      • July 7
      • July 10
      • July 12
    • June Meditations >
      • June 2
      • June 4
      • June 7
      • June 11
      • June 14
      • June 17
      • June 20
      • June 23
      • June 25
      • June 28
      • June 30
    • May Meditations >
      • May 1
      • May 5
      • May 7
      • May 10
      • May 13
      • May 15
      • May 19
      • May 22
      • May 24
      • May 27
      • May 30
    • April Meditations >
      • April 1
      • April 5
      • April 8
      • April 10
      • April 14
      • April 18
      • April 23
      • April 25
      • April 28
    • March Meditations >
      • March 4
      • March 6
      • March 9
      • March 11
      • March 13
      • March 16
      • March 19
      • March 22
      • March 26
      • March 28
    • February Meditations >
      • February 4
      • February 6
      • February 9
      • February 11
      • February 15
      • February 18
      • February 21
      • February 25
      • February 28
    • January Meditations >
      • January 4
      • January 7
      • January 9
      • January 12
      • January 15
      • January 18
      • January 22
      • January 24
      • January 26
      • January 28
      • January 31
    • 2024 Meditations
    • December Meditations >
      • December 2
      • December 5
      • December 8
      • December 10
      • December 12
      • December 15
      • December 18
      • December 21
      • December 24
      • December 27
      • December 30
    • November Meditations >
      • November 2
      • November 5
      • November 8
      • November 10
      • November 13
      • November 15
      • November 19
      • November 22
      • November 26
      • November 28
    • October Meditations >
      • October 1
      • October 3
      • October 6
      • October 8
      • October 11
      • October 13
      • October 16
      • October 19
      • October 22
      • October 25
      • October 28
      • October 30
    • September 2024 Meditations
    • August 2024 Meditations
    • July 2024 Meditations
    • June 2024 Meditations
    • May 2024 Meditations
    • April 2024 Meditations
    • March 2024 Meditations
    • February 2024 Meditations
    • January 2024 Meditations
    • 2023 Meditations >
      • December 2023 Meditations
      • November 2023 Meditations
      • October 2023 Meditations
      • September 2023 Meditations
      • August 2023 Meditations
      • July 2023 Meditations
      • June 2023 Meditations
      • May 2023 Meditations
      • April 2023 Meditations
      • March 2023 Meditations
      • February 2023 Meditations
      • January 2023 Meditations
    • 2022 Daily Meditations >
      • February 2022 Meditatons
      • March 2022 Meditations
      • April 2022 Meditations
      • May 2022 Meditations
      • June 2022 Meditations
      • July 2022 Meditations
      • August 2022 Meditations
      • September 2022 Meditations
      • October 2022 Meditations
      • November 2022 Meditations
      • December 2022 Meditations
    • 2021 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2021 Meditations
      • February 2021 Meditations
      • March 2021 Meditations
      • April 2021 Meditations
      • May 2021 Meditations
      • June 2021 Meditations
      • July 2021 Meditations
      • August 2021 Meditations
      • September 2021 Meditations
      • October 2021 Meditations
      • November 2021 Meditations
      • December 2021 Meditations
    • 2020 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2020 Archive
      • February 2020 Archive
      • March 2020 Archive
      • April 2020 Archive
      • May 2020 Archive
      • June 2020 Archive
      • July 2020 Archive
      • August 2020 Archive
      • September 2020 Archive
      • October 2020 Archive
      • November 2020 Archive
      • December 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2019 Archive
      • February 2019 Archive
      • March 2019 Archive
      • April 2019 Archive
      • May 2019 Archive
      • June 2019 Archive
      • July 2019 Archive
      • August 2019 Archive
      • September 2019 Archive
      • October 2019 Archive
      • November 2019 Archive
      • December 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Daily Meditations >
      • December 2018 Archive
      • November 2018 Archive
      • October 2018 Archive
      • September 2018 Archive
      • August 2018 Archive
      • July 2018 Archive
      • June 2018 Archive
      • May 2018 Archive
      • April 2018 Archive
      • March 2018 Archive
      • February 2018 Archive
      • January 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2017 Archive
      • February 2017 Archive
      • March 2017 Archive
      • April 2017 Archive
      • May 2017 Archive
      • June 2017 Archive
      • July 2017 Archive
      • August 2017 Archive
      • September 2017 Archive
      • October 2017 Archive
      • November 2017 Archive
      • December 2017 Archive
  • Special Bible Studies
    • Do you hold a grudge?
    • Have you actually asked for God's help?
    • Forgiveness and Healing
    • Sin is the cause of all your problems
    • Amazing Grace!
    • For when you battle something big...
    • Is there a Resurrection of the Dead?
    • Deeply hidden sin
    • Are you consumed by worry?
    • What does it mean to be holy before God?
    • Is God punishing you?
    • Spiritual Warfare
    • Stubborn?
    • How often do you pray?
    • Have doubts?
    • Who are you listening to?
    • Emotional Black Holes
    • Unanswered prayers?
    • Have you compromised your faith?
    • Life in the pits...
    • Is your life in a rut?
    • Demonic Influences?
    • Let God Ease Your Burdens!
    • Danger of Success
    • Feeling alone
    • Are you broken-hearted?
    • Feel vulnerable?
    • Is God pushing you?
    • Do you lack faith
    • Being Tested
    • Your Place in Heaven
    • Does your past haunt you?
    • Is worldliness creeping into your life?
    • What is acceptable worship?
    • Angry?
    • Spiritual Radar
    • Can you be obedient to God?
    • Courage in the Face of Trials
    • Does Hell Exist
    • A Sin of Omission
    • When Life Gets Crazy
    • When God is Silent
    • Weakness
    • On Death and Dying
    • Feeling Guilty for no Reason?
    • Is wealth damaging your faith?
    • Satans Games
    • Death and Eternal Life
    • Depression
    • Family Problems
    • False Guilt
    • Food Issues
    • A Lack of Forgiveness
    • Frustration
    • Jealousy or Envy
    • Life out of Balance
    • Lying to Yourself or Others
    • Getting Married
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Prayer Life
    • Repentance
    • Sharing the Faith
    • Socialism
    • Stressed out
    • Impatience
    • Too Hard on Yourself
  • Uplifting Video for the Day
  • Videos for Reflection
    • Videos for Reflection 2
    • Videos for Reflection 3
    • Videos for Reflection 4
    • Videos for Reflection 5
    • Videos for Reflection 6
    • Videos for Reflection 7
    • Videos for Reflection 8
    • Videos for Reflection 9
    • Videos for Reflection 10
    • Videos for Reflection 11
    • Videos for Reflection 12
    • Videos for Reflection 13
    • Videos for Reflection 14
    • Videos for Reflection 15
    • Videos for Reflection 16
  • Standing up for God
    • Jatya
    • Archbishop Mouche
    • Pastor Andrew Brunson
    • Our Coptic Christian Friends
    • Petr Jasek
  • Bible Challenge Gateway
  • Faith Issues in the Modern World
    • Preacher Arrested for Protesting Pride Event
    • Christians Attacked by ISIS in Mozambique
    • The Pope Changes Lord's Prayer
    • Museum of the Bible Washington DC USA
    • Persecution at All-Time High
    • Suicide Bombing in Pakistan Christian Church
    • Attack by Muslim terrorists against Egyptian Church
    • Underground Christians in China
    • More Persecution of Chinese Christians
    • The Growing Church in Iran
    • Christian Parenting Failing God
  • Video Studies
    • Video Bible Study Introduction
    • Prayer in the Bible
    • Faith Hebrews 11
  • Walls of Inspiration
    • Wall of Inspiration 1
    • Wall of Inspiration 2
    • Wall of Inspiration 3
    • Wall of Inspiration 4
    • Wall of Inspiration 5
    • Wall of Inspiration 6
    • Wall of Inspiration 7
    • Wall of Inspiration 8
    • Wall of Inspiration 9
    • Wall of Inspiration 10
    • Wall of Inspiration 11
    • Wall of Inspiration 12
    • Wall of Inspiration 13
    • Wall of Inspiration 14
    • Wall of Inspiration 15
    • Wall of Inspiration 16
    • Wall of Inspiration 17
    • Wall of Inspiration 18
    • Wall of Inspiration 19
    • Wall of Inspiration 20
    • Wall of Inspiration 21
  • Bible Helps
  • Stories of God's Power
  • Comments
  • Bible Challenge Badge Earners