Date: May 6, 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 still abides in us. The keyword for May is “Holiness.” 

Isaiah 35:8 says, “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it…” This week’s message is about the external journey of sanctification, of progressive holiness. 

We, the redeemed, the ones rescued by Jesus Christ, are blessed with the Highway of Holiness. This Highway, this Way of Holiness, is our beacon of hope and inspiration. Therefore, the highway is a movement away from uncleanness and all sins, internal and external, and going to be in the presence of a holy and pure God. Verse 8 says wicked fools and the unclean will not be permitted on the Highway of Holiness.

My dear brothers and sisters, this highway is exclusive, and only those redeemed by Jesus Christ may travel on it. This Highway of Holiness represents the way of salvation that is available to us through faith in Christ. Salvation is a process that happens in stages, beginning with justification. When we are justified, all our sins are forgiven, Christ’s righteousness is credited to us, and we become part of God’s family. However, this is only the beginning of our salvation journey. After justification comes sanctification, a lifelong process that every believer begins. Some people struggle with this idea, but it is essential to our spiritual growth. Philippians 2:12-13 says, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” It tells us to work out our salvation. We have a journey to travel, and that’s the way of holiness. 

In closing, early in church history, Christianity was known as “the way.” It was a way of life that followed Jesus Christ. He is the Highway of Holiness, and after we have completed our challenging journey on this path, we will appear before God in Zion. It wasn’t because of our righteousness or works, but because of Jesus Christ’s work and righteousness that we can make it. There will be no more suffering, pain, or sin in Heaven. We will be free at last, and like the Apostle Paul, we can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” For those who have longed for His return, there is a crown of righteousness that the Lord will award. 

Until next week, remember, “…with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop