It is important to note that heaven is the epitome of beauty and splendour, and behind this is holiness (Revelation 21:9-27; Psalm 29:1-2, 47:8). So, holiness is God’s highway for the end-time saints, and we will walk on that highway into heaven. As it is written: O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth (Psalm 96:9). It is the fear of God that beautifies us in redemption. Holiness beautifies the believer because it is the platform for possessing our possessions (2 Peter 1:3). According to Obadiah 1:17, there shall be deliverance from sin, then a commitment to walking in fear of God, and we possess our possessions. So, it is a sequence.
Furthermore, sin has lost its power to dominate the life of the redeemed because Jesus crushed the power of sin (Romans 6:14; 1 John 3:7-8). Therefore, sin has been reduced to a choice. Believers choose to go into sin or stay out of it. As it is written: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death (James 1:13-15). Jesus was declared the Son of God by the Spirit of holiness, but He said, … for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth (John 17:19; see also 2 Timothy 2:19-21). So, it is time we wake out of slumber and take responsibility.
How beautiful is holiness?
- It secures access to revelation, which is the answer to the manipulations of the works of darkness. No degree of darkness can spite the authority of light; when light steps in, darkness steps out.As it is written: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1:5). According to Proverbs 9:10 and Psalm 111:10, without the fear of God, our access to revelation is impeded, and so, the powers of darkness keep prevailing. The beauty of redemption is triggered by revelation, and we can only secure revelation through sanctification.
- It makes our stewardship profitable. Many are serving but have never seen returns on their labour. As it is written: Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:28; see also 1 Samuel 15:22).
What are some of the forces of defilement?
- Unclean spirits. This is the spirit of filthiness, and they are enemies of our destinies. Their mission is to stop our access to heaven by defiling our lives. So, to get them out of our lives, we must cast them out, resist them and engage the name of Jesus (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9). Stop watching unclean spirits having a field day; you have what it takes to cast them out.
- Seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. These are spirits that interpret black to be white and white to be black (1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2:11; 1 John 5:18).
- The spirit of the world. The spirit of the world manifests in three areas, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life, and they are destructive (1 John 2:15; Psalm 16:4; 1 Timothy 6:17). Anything made outside Jesus has no future, but following Jesus makes people.
What are the conquering powers available to us?
- The Spirit of the Lord. This is also called the Anointing, and its mission is to destroy all the yokes of the wicked (Isaiah 10:27; Luke 4:18).
- The Spirit of Revelation. This destroys the siege of the powers of darkness (1 Corinthians 2:10-12; Isaiah 60:1-3).
- The Spirit of love. When one is in love, obedience becomes a delight (John 14:21; 1 John 5:3). The Spirit of love keeps us in love with Jesus in and out of season (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
Please note that holiness is not a state of perfection but hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6; Philippians 3:13-16). Therefore, repentance remains the only way out of every form of filthiness of the flesh and spirit. What you are not truly sorrowful for, you cannot repent from, and when you truly repent, He changes your position, and then, a time of refreshing comes (Acts 3:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1, 10). A highway has been built by God, and it is the way that leads to a life after your journey on earth. You shall get there!