Made for Moreਨਮੂਨਾ

Made For Holiness

When you think of holiness, what comes to mind? For some, it feels like perfection, something unreachable. For others, it sounds like a burden, a list of rules. But the Bible describes holiness as being set apart for God. It is less about flawless performance and more about belonging to the one who is flawless.

Holiness is good because our God is holy, and we want to be like him.

God told his people, “Be holy, because I, the Lord Your God, am holy” (Lev. 19:2 CSB). Peter repeats this same call to believers: “As the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:15 CSB). Holiness is not about comparing ourselves to others or trying to be good enough. It is about reflecting the character of the God who saved us.

The truth is, none of us measure up. On our own, we cannot stand before a holy God. That is why Jesus came. He endured the cross, despised its shame, and gave us his righteousness in exchange for our sin (Heb. 12:2 CSB). Holiness does not start with us; it starts with him. Jesus makes us holy, and then he calls us to live out of that holiness in everyday life.

So remember, holiness comes from Jesus, not before Jesus. We don’t try to act better and then gain God’s approval. We recognize our sin, repent, and accept Jesus’ gift of grace. Out of that we strive to be a holy people.

That means we take sin seriously. We do not excuse it, manage it, or treat it like a pet we can control. Instead, we lay aside “every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us” (Heb. 12:1 CSB). Settling for lesser things might feel easier in the moment, but it robs us of the joy of running after Jesus.

Holiness is not about trying harder on our own. It flows from keeping our eyes on Christ, the one who perfects our faith. It is not about perfection, but direction, as we grow more like Jesus each day.

You were made for holiness. To belong to God is to be set apart for him. And the good news is that the one who calls you to holiness also gives you the grace and power to walk in it. Holiness is both your calling and your gift, and God equips you for both.

Reflection Question: Where in your life are you excusing sin instead of pursuing holiness?

Prayer: Father, you are holy and set apart. Thank you for making me holy through Jesus and giving me his righteousness. Help me not to settle for lesser things or excuse sin in my life. Give me strength to pursue holiness, not in my own power, but in the power of your Spirit. Make my life reflect your character today.