Date: August 19, 2024

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, power, and dominion forever and ever, and to the Holy Ghost, who continues to dwell within us, guiding our steps. This week, we delve into a crucial topic: “The Loss of Holiness.”

My dear brothers and sisters, it is essential for us to live a holy life as it is a beautiful and profound journey. When we embrace the beauty of God’s holiness, it shines through in our relationships, churches, workplaces, and daily lives. The holiness of God consecrates these physical things as holy. While we are no longer bound by the ceremonial law (fulfilled in Christ), we are still called to live our lives as set apart and holy unto the Lord. We have a holy meal (the Lord’s supper), holy baptism, holy hands (I Timothy 2:8), and a holy calling (II Timothy 1:9). We are to be holy in body and spirit (I Corinthians 7:34) and to offer our bodies as a holy sacrifice (Romans 12:1). We are referred to in Scripture as “saints,” which literally means “holy ones.”

Every aspect of our lives must be dedicated as holy unto the Lord. Zechariah 14:20-21 says, “In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses ‘HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD,’ and the pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. And every cooking pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the Lord of hosts…” Zechariah is prophesying that every cooking pot in the Lord’s house will be holy, not just those by the altar. On that day, every cooking pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy, not just those in the Lord’s house. This holiness will be so pervasive that even the smallest object, such as bells on a horse’s neck, will be inscribed as “HOLY TO THE LORD.”

Today, more than ever, we need holy marriages, holy families, holy homes, holy hospitality, holy friendships, holy callings, and more. However, these can only be achieved if we have a deep understanding of God’s holiness, which transforms our perspective and influences every aspect of our lives. Let us commit to seeking God’s holiness and strive to become the holy people we were created to be, worshipping a Holy God. It is through seeking and understanding God’s holiness that we find hope and encouragement for the transformation of our lives.

Remember, as it is written, “…with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). This is not just a statement; it is a promise that should fill us with reassurance and confidence in our journey toward holiness. 

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop