Holiness Enjoyed!
Among the few English books in one of our new appointments, I discovered a Salvation Army songbook published in 1953. As I flipped through the subject titles, I discovered one intriguing concept: “Holiness Enjoyed!”
Over the years, Christians have often debated holiness and considered its pros and cons. We wonder if it is even possible to be holy. We seem to have fear surrounding this idea of a holy life.
Not so in 1953. We rejoiced in the knowledge that holiness could be enjoyed! Let’s ponder such a life together:
1. Enjoy Freedom from Sin! You might question this point, so let me clarify. The sanctified life that is set apart for God no longer has a “want” for sin. Yes, there will be temptation. Yes, sin can enter our lives. However, this freedom means freedom from wanting sin in our lives. The great struggle between being obedient to God and obedient to sin is over. Hence, one can enjoy such freedom rather than continually wrestle for it. With W.F. Crafts we sing, “The Cross now covers my sins, the past is under the Blood; I’m trusting in Jesus for all, my will is the will of my God.” John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
2. Enjoy the Power to Witness! Fear is not enjoyable. The sanctified life has the power to testify about Jesus without shame or fear. Perhaps at first, a shy person will experience some difficulty; I was such a person, and I remember well that my knees shook and my palms became damp. However, holy people eventually enjoy sharing the message of Jesus. By the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives, we desire the opportunity to share this good news. Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses…”
3. Enjoy Comfort! Mortal life is not easy. Each of us has our moments and times when we desperately need comfort. Holiness enjoyed is a sanctified heart that not only obeys the Holy Spirit but is also comforted by the Holy Spirit. If you are fighting with sin in your life, it is hard to find His comfort because guilt divides you from God. Enjoy His comfort! John 14:16 says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter to be with you forever.”
4. Enjoy Truth! All of us want to know the truth. We study, we research, and we listen to the teachings of many. We question some and trust others. We are shocked when we discover an accepted truth is untrue. The life in tune with the Holy Spirit can enjoy His guidance and His unfailing truth. John 15:26 says, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
5. Enjoy Forgiveness! Unforgiveness destroys the lives of so many people today. In a life filled with hurt, we suffer most when our brothers and sisters in Christ cause us the hurt. Considering how Christ was betrayed and denied by His own, Christians today cannot expect to escape the same. His answer? Forgive! The sanctified life, the life set apart for God, does not hold grudges but forgives — sometimes with ease, sometimes with heaviness of heart, yet we forgive. The joy comes when we give up and let God remove our unforgiveness and replace it with forgiveness. Be free! Colossians 3:12-13 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
6. Enjoy Peace! Sin destroys the soul’s rest. The sanctified life seeks sinlessness and longs to know God’s peace daily. Our world is filled with noise – the news, the radio, the internet – and peace is a precious commodity. Rumors of war surround us, and the world becomes more crowded every day. We wish for world peace; we wish for soul peace. Isaiah 32:17 says, “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” Christ followers know the peace mentioned in a song by Richard Slater: “At peace with God! How great the blessing in fellowship with Him to be, and from all stains of sin set free...”
7. Enjoy Hope! We face hopeless times. Our finances have disappeared, our health is poor, our dreams for our children have vanished. We need hope. In a hopeless world, the Holy Spirit plants hope in our hearts; the sanctified life rests in that hope. We know He is able when all else fails. We are not in despair; we enjoy hope! Romans 5:5 says, “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”
8. Enjoy Love! I miss my father, who was promoted to glory some years ago. His joy was contagious. His love for others was so evident. We have our very own heavenly Father who loves us more than we can imagine. When we are right before Him without sin in our lives, we can look in His face and know that He is our very own Father. We know His voice and He knows ours. Our response is the same as Bramwell Booth written in song: “I love Thee every hour; to hear Thy voice and do Thy blessed will is all my choice.” As our Father, He will fight for us. He will cheer us on to the finish line. He wants us to win! Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the spirit of Sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father.”
9. Enjoy Rest! In the busy rush of this world, both our bodies and our souls long for rest. While finding such rest for our bodies may be difficult, we can more easily find rest for our souls. The Holy Spirit gives us rest from wearying pride and selfish endeavors that would destroy our peace and hurt those around us. With the songwriter Alfred Humphrey, we can proclaim: “O wondrous change, there’s victory within, All fear cast out, the soul kept clean; Joy, peace and rest, and hatred of sin, Now Christ has come to reign.” Matthew 11:29 says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
10. Enjoy Victory! In Romans 8:37, we are reminded, “…we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Victory is not usually easy; attaining daily victory takes daily commitment. The Holy Spirit guides us to victory. He is there to teach us the way to victory! He enjoys our victory. Our General William Booth understood such victory with these words:
“Singing, I feel I shall conqueror by, Victory for me.
Boundless salvation is coming to me, Victory for me.
Cleansed by Thy Blood I shall walk in the light,
Held in Thine arms I shall live in Thy sight,
Filled with Thy love I shall win in the fight; Victory for me.”
You are now formally invited to live a life of holiness enjoyed! May God bless each of your steps with Him.