Dear Church,

Yesterday we were reminded that holiness is the lens through which we see God. Without holiness, there is no true communion with Him, and without communion with God, there can be no real sanctification for a Christian.  Scripture is clear: the Christian is dead to sin and cannot continue to live in it (Rom. 6:2).  From eternity, God has ordained holiness for His people (Eph. 1:4).

Now, this call is especially weighty for church leaders, pastors, elders, and ministry teams. Paul told the Ephesian elders to “pay careful attention” to their lives (Acts 20:28).  He described the minister’s life as holy, righteous, and blameless (1 Thess. 2:10).  He urged Timothy to keep a good conscience (1 Tim. 1:5, 19), to avoid sharing in the sins of others (1 Tim. 5:22), and to “pursue righteousness” (1 Tim. 6:11). The bar is not lower for leaders; it is higher.

But holiness is not taught by words alone. It is modeled by life. Paul urged believers in three churches to imitate him as he followed Christ (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 1:6).  He told Timothy to set an example “in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12), and he reminded Titus to be a “model of good works” (Titus 2:7).  Elders were to be “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:1–7; Titus 1:6–9).

The charge is simple but searching: “Keep a close watch on yourself” (1 Tim. 4:16).  Holiness is not a mask we wear; it is the path we walk.  It is required not just for pastors, but for every follower of Christ.

And here is the hope, the same God who calls us to holiness also provides grace when we stumble. The cross is proof that forgiveness and reconciliation are always possible. The Spirit who convicts us also empowers us to walk in the newness of life. Holiness is not perfection; it is direction.  By God’s Spirit, we walk each day on the path of holiness.  And when we stumble, His grace forgives and restores us so we can rise again and keep walking with Him.

Be Encouraged,

Mathews