The call no less reveals the standard of holiness. There is not one standard for God and another for man. The nature of light is the same whether we see it in the sun or in a candle; the nature of holiness remains unchanged whether it dwells in God or in man. The Lord Jesus could say nothing less than �Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect� (Matthew 5:48). When God calls us to holiness, He calls us to himself and His own life. The more carefully we listen to His voice and let the fact sink into our hearts, the more will all human standards fall away and only His words remain.
The call shows us the path of holiness. The calling of God is one of efficacy, an effectual calling. Listen to Him and with divine power the call will work what it offers. He calls the things that are not as though they were. His call gives life to the dead and holiness to those whom He has made alive. He calls us to listen as He speaks of Hi holiness, and of ours like His. He calls us to himself, to study, to fear, to love, to claim His holiness. He calls us to Christ, in whom divine holiness became human holiness, to see and admire, to desire and accept what is all for us. He calls us to the indwelling and the teaching of the Spirit of holiness, to yield ourselves that He may bring home to us and breathe within us what is ours in Christ. Believer, listen to God calling you to holiness; come and learn what His holiness is, what yours is, and what it should be.
Be silent and listen. When God called Abraham, he answered, �Here am I� (Genesis 22:1). When God called Moses from the bush, he answered, �Here am I� (Exodus 3:4) and hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. God is calling you to himself, the Holy One that He may make you holy. Let your whole soul answer, �Here am I, Lord! Speak to me. Show yourself to me.� As you listen, the voice will be clear: �Be holy, as I am holy. Be holy, for I am holy.� You will hear a voice coming out of eternity, from the council chamber of redemption. You will hear a voice from heaven, the Creator making the seventh day holy for man whom He had created, and saying. �Be holy.� You will hear the voice from Sinai amid thunder and lightning, and still it is the same: �Be holy, as I am holy.� You will hear a voice from Calvary: �Be holy, for I am holy.�
Child of God, have you ever heard this call from God? Shouldn�t we confess that happiness has been to us more than holiness, and salvation more than sanctification? But it is not too late to redeem the error. Listen to the voice that calls, draw close, and find out what holiness is, or better, find out and know Him who is the Holy Once. If the first approach to Him fills us with shame and confusion, makes us fear and hold back, let us still listen to the voice that tells us to be holy, as He is holy. �The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it� (1 Thessalonians 5:24). All our fears and questions will be met by this One who has revealed His holiness with one purpose in view: that we might share it with Him. As we yield ourselves in the deep quietness of our soul to listen to the voice that calls us, it will awaken within us a new desire and strong faith to be holy. |
