Be Ye Holy (9)
By Dr. T.K. Koshy Vaidyan

Without humility there is no holiness. Every season of significant spiritual growth in our walk with God will be precipitated by a time of deep humility and repentance. Humility and repentance prepares the heart for righteousness; it unlocks the power of faith toward God. When Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” [Luk: 5:8]. In the light of His purity, there is something in each of us that cries out like Peter, “depart from me, for I am a sinful man O Lord.“ The Holy Spirit reveals Christ not to overwhelm us but to “transform us to His same image” [2Cor: 3:18]. In spite of our weakness and sins, God has set before us an opportunity to dwell with Him in His fullness. It is to this end that the Grace of God working in our lives. In the same manner human relationships are sustained by openness and honesty, so it is also with our relationship with God. When we sin against Him, we unconsciously erect barriers between God and ourselves.

Yet the love of God is such that He loves us enough not only to release us from our sins but also from the negative effects of our sins had upon our fellowship with Him. Mercifully He promises, “their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” [Heb: 10:17]. Every time we humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness with repentance, our relationship with Him become free and new again. Holiness is attained only through an unfolding experience with the Grace of God. It is important to state that God has not lowered His standard of Holiness. However, He knows we will never become holy if we are afraid to draw near to Him, for He alone is Holy. Consequently, He has both forgiven and reconciled us to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. The blood Sacrifice of Christ has satisfied the debts of every soul who, through repentance and faith in Jesus, sincerely seek fellowship with God. He will forgive our Sins and after as we humble ourselves and contritely turn to him with genuine repentance. He promises that He will remember our Sins no more. He, who calls us into His perfections, has also provided perfectly for us to approach Him.

Holiness is an unfolding relationship with the Grace of God. The Holiest, most powerful voice that ever spoke described Himself as “meek and lowly in heart”[Matt: 11:29]. Holiness is the product of Grace and God give Grace only to the humble. Purity begins with our determined refusal to hide from the condition of our hearts. It is vital we understand that Jesus did not condemn Sinners; He condemned hypocrites. A hypocrite is a person who excuses his own sin while condemning the sins of others. He is some one who pretending a righteousness that he fails to live. Out of self-discovery comes humility, and in meekness true holiness grows. We cannot remain hypocrites and at the same time find holiness. Therefore, the first step we truly take toward sanctification is to humble ourselves and admit that we are not as holy as we would like to appear. Thus the first step is called humility. God resists the proud but His Grace is drawn to the humble. Humility brings grace to our need, and grace alone can change our hearts. If we would truly live in the Presence of God, we must first travel the way of humility and repentance.

According to Andrew Murray, “the greatest if whether or not the holiness we profess to seek or to attain is true will be whether it produce increasing humility. In the creatures, humility is the one thing needed to allow God’s Holiness to dwell in him and shine through him.”42 He further states “the one infallible test of our holiness will be the humility before God and others which characterizes us. Humility is the bloom and beauty of holiness.”43 The holiest will always be the humblest. As we behold the nature of Christ, our eyes see His glory, like Job we “abhor” ourselves and “repent in dust and ashes” [Job: 42:1-6]. As we are bathed in His Glory, we shall be washed from seeking the glory of man. If we truly find Him, no one will have to tell us to be humble [Luke: 16:15]. Find God, and once you have Him, you will dwell in his presence and you will be holy for He is holy. If we are going to become holy, we must sever the chains and restraints, the bondage of desiring just an average life. We will choose to leave the camp of familiarity and place our trust in the Presence of God [Exo: 33:7; Heb: 13:12-14]. We are seeking a level of holiness that brings the Glory of God in our lives. The means to that end is God’s Grace. It is Grace that supports our every step. Holiness is attained only through an unfolding experience with the Grace of God. He who calls us into His perfections, has also provided perfectly for us to approach Him. And that path is the path of humility and true repentance.