It was after hearing a sermon from 1 Peter 1:16 (Be holy, for I am holy) that William Longstaff sat down and wrote the words to the popular hymn, “Take Time to be Holy.” Perhaps the best advice anyone can offer in the year 2025 is simply – take time to be holy. The writer of Hebrews reminds us of its importance, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord,” (Heb. 12:14). Is it your desire to see the Lord; to remain in His presence for all eternity? Our pursuit of holiness has everything to do with heaven!
Let’s consider briefly three questions of consequence:
What does it mean to be holy? By looking to the word used by the Hebrews writer in the verse referenced above we get a clearer picture of what it means to be holy. It carries with it the idea of being morally pure and set apart from the world and the flesh. In the highest sense, holiness belongs to God. Three times in Isaiah 6:3 we find God is called holy. Revelation 15:4 says that it is God alone who is holy. He is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Our pursuit of holiness is the pursuit of being more like God. No, this does not mean that we will attain perfection, but we must give all diligence and energy to striving to be more like Him and less and less like the world.
Am I holy? Examine carefully the text of 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 and one can see that it is God’s desire for us to be in pursuit of holiness. In the context, this is directly tied to words like sanctification, honor, purity and being clean rather than unclean. Perhaps we would do well to ask the honest question of ourselves, “Am I holy?” When others hear my speech, does it build them up and draw them closer to a holy God? (Col. 4:6; Tit. 2:8) Or, do my words sound much more like those in the world? Do my actions reflect those of a holy God? What kind of servant am I and who do I really seek to please? If we seek to please men, we cannot be bondservants of Christ (Gal. 1:10).
Three ways to pursue holiness in 2025:
Make it a priority. Typically, in the beginning of a new year, resolutions or goals are made. When was the last time you thought about adding holiness as a top priority? In Galatians 6:1, Paul says that those who are spiritual are to restore those who have been overtaken in a trespass. Are you spiritual? Are you striving to be more like God and pursuing Him? This will not happen unless you make it a priority! What do you find yourself talking about in open conversations with others? This is a way to help you see what you prioritize. We talk about things that have great meaning to us. What do you spend your time doing? The tendency is to do things that are most meaningful in our lives. Strive in the new year to make holiness a priority. In all things make sure Jesus has first place in your life (Col. 1:18). Take time to be holy!
Draw closer to a holy God. Among things suggested by Longstaff are speaking oft with the Lord and spending much time in secret with Jesus alone. Prayer and Bible study must be staples if one is going to correctly pursue holiness. How can one expect to draw closer a holy God if no time is spent in His holy word? We must be careful never to despise the word of the Holy one (Isa. 5:24). His words are words of truth and we must spend time drawing closer to Him as we study His words (Eph. 1:13). Make it a priority to spend more time reading and studying the Bible in the new year. Make it a priority to spend more time in prayer to a holy God this year as well. Most every congregation has a prayer list of those dealing with illnesses or special circumstances. Make it a priority to make better use of those lists! Create your own list and give more thought in the coming year to names and personal circumstances you want to pray for and about. Find new reasons each day to praise God and to thank Him. Every day let God speak to you (study His word) and you speak to God (prayer) and your relationship with Him will improve!
Distance yourself from an unholy world. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him…And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever,” (1 John 2:15-17). The devil’s desire is for us to love this life and things of this world more than God and allow them to take His place. In the coming year let us make every effort to hate the devil more and to create more distance between us and him. Paul says it best, “Seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth,” (Col. 3:1-2). In verse 4, Paul says that Jesus Christ is our life. Is He your life?
In the coming year, let’s evaluate our personal holiness and make every effort to be in hot pursuit of a holy God. Take time to be holy in 2025 and may God be glorified!