Date: September 9, 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 the: “Characteristics Needed to Live A Holy Life.”

The Bible tells us that our God is holy and calls for us, His chosen people, to live a pure and holy life. “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy’” (Leviticus 19:2). I firmly believe that God does not place an expectation upon us that He does not provide for.

The characteristics needed for holy living and the five steps required to help us get there:

1. Accepting what God wants for us. If we want to be followers of Christ, we must embrace the reality that holiness is what God wants for us. He told us through his word that it is what He expects from our lives. We must deny ourselves and follow the word of God. If we love God, then our lives become evidence of it.

2. Accept that you can live a holy life. Obedience to God’s word is necessary for a holy life because we must follow Jesus’s commands daily so that His perfect will for our lives is done. Our belief in the word of God is based on faith; because of it, holy living is possible for you. So, with obedience and faith, we can live a holy life pleasing in the sight of God.

3. Live a sacrificial life. We are called to give ourselves entirely to God. Romans 12:1 tells us, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Holy living is a consequence of having the Holy Spirit in our lives. We must live a life of consecration daily.

4. Follow the word of God continuously. Holy living involves consistently following Jesus unconditionally and unapologetically rather than just following the word of God for a short time.

5. Demonstration in the community. When we start living a holy life, we will become a powerful and encouraging blessing to others in our family and around us. God will use you in ways you could have never imagined. His presence will go with us wherever we go, sharing his insights to help us live the life he has called us to.

The song “When I See Jesus, Amen” emphasizes that living a holy life is synonymous with living a righteous life. It suggests we will attain eternal life by learning to endure suffering.

Remember, “…with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop