Holiness and Joy

“’I will dwell in the and walk among them;
I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord.
‘And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me.’ Says the Lord Almighty.

Therefore, having these promises, beloved,

let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit,
 perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Therefore.  Whenever you read the word “therefore” in the Bible, always look just before it and see what it is there for!  Why should we live a life of holiness?  Because we are sons and daughters of the King!  We should leave the midst of those who live in evil and sinfulness, and be separate from them.  That is the very definition of holiness.  We don’t do it to earn our salvation, or to gain favor with God.  We do it because we are saved and  because we already have His favor.  We do it for the fear of the Lord – the awareness of His awesome power and might and love and joy and sacrifice and plan for our future.  Sin just keeps us far from experiencing all that is ours as Christians.  Sin keeps us from walking with Jesus and dancing before God’s throne. 

If you are not waling in fellowship with your Father God, perhaps it is because you have sin in your life.  Pride, arrogance, judgment, selfish ambition, etc… are just as deadly as theft and murder.  Be quick to repent and reclaim your position as God’s precious son or daughter and live holy lives in great joy and exultation