Healthy, Holy Souls

Magazine stands are filled with bold print on glossy covers touting the latest ways to get healthy and the importance of getting in shape. And while taking care of our bodies and keeping them in optimal health is important, so is maintaining the health of our soul.

Reverend John Flavel once said, “. . . what health is to the heart, that holiness is to the soul.”

Colorful covers may advertise the latests ways to tone your core and blast through the remaining post-pregnancy pounds, but finding “16 ways to walk in holiness in 2016” emblazoned across newsstands is a little less likely.

The concept of what constitutes holiness in an age when many desire to follow their feelings, can only be defined by the Bible, which stands as a clear guide to a truly healthy life.

By living according to the truth of the word, we’re able to follow His words, “be holy as I am holy” (Lev. 20:26).

The Lord issued this command to His chosen people after leading them out of bondage. It may seem daunting for us to even think about living perfectly sinless lives, but how would this statement be received by a group of people who had just left their polytheistic home, while living under the old covenant without the cross as their relational reference point? 

Before we become intimidated by the idea of walking in holiness, it may be better to consider the why and the how of our walk.

Why walk in holiness

The Lord was very clear when He instructed the Israelites to live holy lives.

“. . . I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own” (Lev. 20:26).

God’s people reflect Him to a world that does not know or serve Him. In 1 Peter 2:9, we see that the Lord has chosen those who follow His Son and refers to them as a royal priesthood. Beloved, we too represent God to a world that does not know Him, but needs Him desperately. We are called ambassadors of Christ. And we must live holy lives.

Our capable God has chosen to work through His children, involving us in His work of spreading the gospel to all world, showing others who He is. Like Jesus, we get to reflect the love, power, and authority of God to a world in need. We get to shine such a Light in the darkness that it can not be overcome.

Not only does our walk of holiness have an impact on others, it also impacts us. Our Creator knew what He was doing when He made us. He knew that living in holiness was better for us, that our lives would be more fulfilled, and that we would have fewer open doors for the accuser to enter in this state. Through a walk of integrity we find true joy as the Lord uses us to inspire others to follow and trust Him more.

How to walk in holiness

We can trust what our heavenly Father has said.

“. . . we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom. 8:37)

Our victory has been purchased. We have overcome and can rest assured in what has been done for us. We can freely appropriate the Word, the power of the Spirit, and the victory that has been purchased for us through the irrevocable blood of Jesus.

We’re reminded that we have been given all that is needed for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). Through His Spirit, our Father is working in and through us to will and do His good pleasure. What we’re called to is a life of victory, following our Savior and Good Shepherd along the narrow path.

It’s through this process of reliance that we are changed and transform as we continue to stand in victory and walk in righteousness, experiencing more of His presence and freedom.

Jesus is committed to leading us along the proper path He’s prepared for us (Ps. 32:8). We are responsible for following Him. We’re not expected to try and do anything-—let alone everything—in our own strength. Our Maker knows us. He knows of our great need for His assistance. He willingly and humbly calls Himself our Helper and He not only assists us, but delivers us from every power, principality, stronghold, hindrance, or mindset that would try to keep us bound.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31)

It’s important to God that we walk in holiness, because we are important to Him. Having a healthy soul by walking in holiness is possible. As we follow Him, pursuing His perfect will that was made for our benefit, we are increasingly transformed into the image of Christ and grow closer to our Father.

He has equipped us to grow in holiness through His word. As we apply the Word today, we can trust that it is working in us to renew our minds, change our actions and propel us toward holiness.

Verses:

“But as it is written, ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'” (1 Cor. 2:9)

“. . . just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love; He predestined us to adoption as sons to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will . . .” (Eph. 1:4-6)

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21)

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting al your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:6–7)

“Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but yield yourselves to God, as those who are alive from the dead, and your bodies to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:13–14)