Train yourself to be godly 1 Timothy 4:7

We are commanded to be godly. For those of us who know our Lord Jesus Christ personally, this is not an option. It is not one of those optional extras in some multiple choice scenario.

Pursuing holiness is not something mystical. It is doing the will of God – doing what God calls right. We are told in Isaiah 5:16 the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness. Holiness is doing what God says is right – this is how God distinguishes Himself. So too for those of us who belong to Him.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has expressly told us what He expects us to do. If we do these things we are doing His will. We are doing what He calls right. In other words, we will be behaving in a holy way. He has explicitly told us to do 3 things:

study His Word a lot – talk to him a lot (pray) – witness a lot (telling other people that Jesus Christ died on the cross for them personally. Some of you like alliteration, so here goes: Word, worship, witness, or: Peruse (peruse means = examine with care), Pray. Proclaim.

For us to make every effort to be holy, involves conflict of wills – between His will and our will. Between being holy and being unholy. Between being a slave to righteousness and a slave to sin (Romans 6).

To love God involves conflict – conflict of wills. My will must be broken.

Pastors, in their shepherding, are to feed God’s people not in the pursuit of happiness, but in the pursuit of holiness. Hebrews 12:14 without holiness no one will see the Lord. Why do we need to see the Lord? Knowing Him intimately, is the only way we can handle life’s difficulties. We have to be able to recognize Him, hear His voice in the midst of all the other voices.

We have to train ourselves to be holy – by doing what He wants done. How much time during the week do you spend studying his Word? And telling others about Christ? And talking to Him?

No one and no environment can make you holy. You have to train yourself. You cannot become holy by proxy, or by attending church, or attending seminary. Obviously these environments can help you, but you have to train yourself – you have to do His will.

In Haggai 2:12-15, we are asked: if something holy or someone who is holy, touches someone, does that someone become holy? No. However, if someone who is not holy touches something that is holy, what happens? The unholy person defiles what is holy. He dirties it. Where do you fit in?

How are you doing in your effort to be holy as He is holy?

Your Pastor by His grace and yours,

Pastor David