"HOLINESS IS A LIFESTYLE"
I Peter 2:1
"Wherefore laying aside ALL malice, and guile, and hypocrisies and envies, and ALL evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."
The key to Holy Living is having a sincere desire for the Word of God, jus like a baby desire the mothers breast milk, I've heard babies can tell when the mother enters the room, because their desire is so intense that they can smell the milk in the mother. God wants us to have this kind of desire for His Word, which will enable us to live a Holy Life.
To be Holy means to be sinless: without spot, blemish, or any such thing.
Ephesians 5:25-27
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having SPOT or WRINKLE or ANY SUCH THING: but that it should be Holy and without blemish."
From these scriptures, we can see that the Church is Holy; without sin.
Ephesians 5:3-4
"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor FOOLISH TALKING, nor JESTING, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks."
There are some people saying that no one can live on this earth without sinning.
Titus 2:11-12
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."
I John 3:9
"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his SEED remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
vs.8
"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning."
There has been a scripture used in contradiction to I John 3:9, by some who oppose the fact that a person can live free from sins, (Romans 6:22),
"But now being made free from SIN, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."
The scripture that they use is (I John 1:8),
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."
Let us remember that the same writer who wrote (I John 3:8-9), also wrote I John 1:8. There is no contradiction between these two scriptures. We should find out what is the meaning of these scriptures. Since we have considered (I John 3:8-9), let us consider I John 1:8.
My explanation concerning this scripture is as follows; If a person has committed a sin, he cannot say that he has not done so. Or else, he will be a liar. If he acknowledges or confesses his sin, God will forgive him:
In I John 3:8-9, where it said "whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his SEED remain (Titus 3:8).
"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."
Romans 6:1
"God never intended for His church to be save and continue in their sins. He does not save a person in his sins, but from his sins (Matt. 1:21).
Since we have all sinned who were born of Adam; likewise, every one that doeth righteousness is born of God. (I John 2:29)
May God bless you and keep you is our prayer!!!
KEEP THE FAITH AND GOD WILL KEEP YOU!!!!!!
Love,
Bishop T. W. Jackson I, ThM
