Romans 6:22(KJV)
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
God sent Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Jesus took on our sin and condemnation on the cross. Accepting Jesus means we become new creations, not simply better versions of ourselves. Our old sinful nature inherited from Adam is crucified with Christ, and we are now dead to sin. We are cured of sin and expected not to return to its bondage again. We are to remain free by walking in holiness and living above sin’s power, which God has deposited in us. To live a holy life, we must sacrifice and forgo many things. However, there are sure rewards for those who live holy lives. In today’s world, people go the extra mile to achieve a great reward from an endeavor, no matter the sacrifice it may require. Living a holy life can be challenging, but doing so has several rewards. Sinful pleasure comes with a cost; while it pays to serve God, it costs to serve the devil. There is no compromise without cost, and there is no sinful pleasure without pay, both in time and eternity.
The Almighty God, who created and molded us, knows our future better. He understands how sin can ruin our lives’ promises and potential. That’s why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. Christ went to the cross and bore our sin and condemnation. He was bound so that we could be free, and He died so that we could live. He wore a crown of thorns so that we could become royalty. When He said, “It is finished,” He put a comma where satan meant to end it with a period. God doesn’t just ask us to live holy; He promises us “sure rewards” for doing so. For instance, according to Proverbs 11:19, long life is a sure reward for holy living. Hosea 10:12 says, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” If we cultivate a lifestyle of holiness, we will reap the benefits of God’s mercy. It is evident that we owe our existence to the mercy of God, and we can continue to receive more mercy by maintaining a holy life. Furthermore, living a holy life can lead to a peaceful mind. Daniel 4:27 says, “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” In the book of Daniel, the prophet advises King Nebuchadnezzar that adopting a holy way of living can lead to greater levels of peace, as God will show mercy to those who choose to live righteously. It is worth noting that holiness and peace are interlinked, with the pursuit of the former being conducive to attaining the latter.
Beloved, religious activities devoid of holiness are nothing more than mere physical exercise, representing a futile effort that will not garner any reward from God. Sin leads to death, but holiness leads to life. If you indulge in sin, you will die young. But if you live holy, satan won’t be able to trap you in a snare that leads to death. Live as if righteousness was your master, obeying righteousness instead of your sinful desires, partly because you now understand the consequences of sin. As God’s loving servant, live in joyous freedom from the power of sin, for you are brought more profound into the experience of true holiness that ends with eternal life. Be willing to give God pleasure by living a holy life. Determine to live a holy life, for a father will give his child whatever he has. God will provide you with what He has if you belong to Him. He is the Author of Peace and will give you peace. Remember, you have the power to choose a holy life and, with it, the assurance of God’s blessings and rewards.
O LORD, help me to live a life of holiness in Jesus’ Name.