Be Holy: Making preparations for the return of the Messiah
The world’s population is trying to understand how ordinary people can become radicalized by religious teaching. Everybody is trying to make sense of a faith that has its primary goals rooted in committing violence against the enemies of their belief system. 
These extremists are targeting people around the world simply because of their views of theology. In contrast, Christians are turning away from their faith that is rooted in the love of God, peace with our neighbors, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Believers who once held their faith as their confession have walked away from the church. This is prophetic of what the Word of God warns us about in 1st Timothy, 4:1. Just before the Lord’s return, a spiritual discouragement will overcome the Chruch.
NLT 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. (1Ti 4:1 NLT)
The Bible is a spiritually 
inspired manuscript. Any individual may enjoy reading the Bible, however it is a message for those who
believe what it says. The Bible is a God-inspired source of guidance for mankind. People who follow the Bible message know the Lord’s voice from the voice of error. Likewise, the faithful believer hears God’s voice and pays particular attention to the message of Holiness. The Book of Revelations tells us that the man (or woman) who has an ear to listen, let him hear what the Spirit says. (Rev 2:7; Rev 2:11; Rev 2:29; Rev 3:6; Rev3:13; Rev 3:22; 13:9)
NLT Hebrews 12:14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. (Heb 12:14 NLT)
NLT Proverbs 21:2 People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart. (Pro 21:2 NLT)
Be Holy
Some people may feel that living a Holy life in today’s society is ol
d-
fashioned and outdated. Actually, it is quite the opposite. The children of God are strategically placed in the world to preach with their lives. We are ministers of reconciliation to those who are without hope. Our lives should be epistles that are read of all men so that their hearts will be turned back to God. He is the One Who is drawing all men to Him. However, when a believer is embarrassed or ashamed to witness, God said that He would be ashamed of that person when He returns. A very clear warning is found in Mark’s Gospel below:
NLT Mark 8:38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mar 8:38 NLT)
Be Holy
The Lord takes special notice of the effectiveness of our witnessing. The persecution and pressure from the world and the tempations of its worldly desires have killed the witness of many believers. While some Christians would say, “I don’t do drugs. I haven’t killed anybody. Why should I worry about the Lord’s return?” They may not realize it, but the same evil spirits who have changed the morality of this nation and have caused believers to feel ashamed to speak up for the Lord, will seek the souls of lukewarm Christians.
NLT 1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. (1Pe 2:11 NLT)
The good news is that the Gospel (The Good News) has a special power of its own when it is properly preached. Unfortunately, the Gospel message in the 70’s concerning love, faith, and prosperity, left hundreds of verses out about the believer’s walk. There should have been a balance of preaching about a believer’s faithfulness to God and the building of a powerful Kingdom of Light. This type of living is the only force that supernaturally defeats the encroaching darkness of Satan’s kingdom. The teachings of the 70’s was a hay-day and an open door for the motivational preachers, but the real deliverance power comes from living holy before God. As a result, the world can see a true demonstration of the the power of GOD.
Isaiah 5:19-21 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who change darkness into light and light into darkness, who change bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter!
21 Woe to those seeing themselves as wise, esteeming themselves as clever.(Isa 5:19-21 CJB)
Jude 1:4 “say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jud 1:4 NLT)
The testing of our faith was designed to produce a community of overcomers. (1John 5:4; 1John 5:5; Rev 2:7; Rev 2:11; Rev 2:17; Rev 2:26; 3:5; Rev 3:12; Rev 3:21; Rev 21:7)
10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. (Pro 24:10 KJV)
Demon spirits will try to get a potential convert to believe that
shaking a deacon’s hand or repeating the words of a preacher is all that is required to be saved. A faith confession is only the beginning of our growing relationship with Christ! The new birth equates to a new life. There is a danger in using the popular cliche, “everything is already done” when there is no evidence of faith in their lives.
24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. (Pro 24:24-25 KJV)
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. (Pro 25:28 KJV)
NLT 2 Timothy 2:22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. (2Ti 2:22 NLT)
Heb 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no-one will see the Lord.
1Pe 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
3Jo 1:11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
Be Holy