1 Peter 1:16 For it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Kathryn Kuhlman (1907–1976), the American evangelist ended her messages with this thought-provoking statement: “Make room for the Holy Spirit and let Him have His way”.
Ms. Kuhlman often said that the Holy Spirit is a spirit of holiness and He cannot dwell in an unclean vessel. Holiness is consecration and separation from anything that is against God’s Word and God’s heart. Holiness is separation from sin and separation unto God.
We cannot host the presence of the Lord and overflow in the power of God with hidden or stubborn sins. Jesus rebuked the leaders who misled the people by their hypocrisy, “Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean” (Matthew 23:26). Holiness is not white garments and sober facial expression but inner purity, total submission and surrender.
“Conscious consecration” was the requirement for the children of Israel to see an amazing miracle of the flooded river Jordan to pile up and give them a way to cross the river. Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:5). As the priest carried the Ark of the Covenant and as their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing and piled up in a heap at a great distance and the water flowing down completely drained into the Dead Sea. The people crossed the Jordan, at the time of harvest, when it was flooded, on dry ground! However, the prerequisite to witness, experience and enjoy the wonder working power of God was consecration and holiness.
Holiness invites the presence of the Lord to indwell and overflow in and through us.
Holiness:
- Mortify: The flesh and carnal desires must be mortified and crucified.
- Sanctify: Sanctification is a conscious separation from unclean thoughts and impure ways. Sanctification makes room for the Holy Spirit.
- Purify: We will warmly invite the Triune God to make our hearts His home if we choose to live holy, sanctified and consecrated. Purity in intentions, desires, passing thoughts, casual comments, words, judgements and a lifestyle separated from sin, makes our heart His home.
Holiness makes room to host the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Spirit of Holiness, purify my heart and make me like pure gold. Amen.
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