Dear Church,

One of the clearest pieces of evidence of our sinful nature is the universal drift downward, away from holiness. No one drifts into holiness; but by surrendering to Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can walk there. Left to ourselves we “go with the flow,” and this is true of Christians, too. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance, toward disobedience and call it freedom, toward prayerlessness and call it busyness. That’s why Scripture warns, “We must pay much closer attention… lest we drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1).

So, our holiness (a life set apart for God) must be intentional. “Pursue… holiness”  (Hebrews 12:14).  Not necessarily on the stage of visible religion, but the inner rooms of life: what I call closet faith defined by hidden prayers, quiet obedience, private purity, confession and repentance, unseen generosity. This is how we resist the drift. We become people who seek God beyond the perimeter of visible Christianity, whose inner life with Jesus overflows in love and fellowship with Him and others.

A life that neglects holiness grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30) and gives the devil a foothold (Eph. 4:27).  Let’s refuse the drift. Let’s return to the closet, keep short accounts with God, and pursue the holy, joyful life that bears lasting fruit.

Be encouraged,
Mathews