“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
There are three distinct manners of holiness I would like to mention that a saint is encouraged to put into practice in order to remain Spiritually Healthy. As students of God’s precious Word, we pray that you are able to “…be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only…” (James 1:22) in the practice of Separation, Sanctification, and Saturation.
You see, as with the common cold, there is no cure for SIN. Only the Blood of Jesus Christ is able to put away SIN. Hebrews 9:26b says, “… but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” He dealt with, and paid the penalty for, the sin of the whole world. But yes, even as believers in His death, burial, and resurrection (the Gospel), being born again, we still have to deal with the practice and the presence of sin. We should deal with the practice of sin by not yielding to the flesh; and we should deal with the presence of sin by being mindful of the people we associate with, the places we go, and ultimately by leaving this old evil world!
Nevertheless, there are treatments and remedies for the symptoms of a common cold even while it runs its course. The same is true I believe for the symptoms which are a result of sin. It is very possible to be Spiritually Unhealthy! And just as well is it very possible for the born-again believer in Christ to remain Spiritually Healthy! Definitely we can remain spiritually healthy if we practice holiness in the three manners of conversation mentioned before. And more importantly, I should say that the Lord would not command His sons and daughters to do anything that they are not capable and able to obey and do.
To be Holy is to be Healthy!
In the Practice of Separation: 2 Corinthians 6:14a says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers…” And 2 Corinthians 6:17 says, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” Probably the easiest way to catch a common cold is to stay in contact with or handle some of the same things that an already defiled or unhealthy person handles as though there is no sickness.
In the Practice of Sanctification: 1 John 3:3 says, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” And 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
In the Practice of Saturation: James 1:21 says, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” 1 Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” And certainly as in 2 Timothy 2:15, where it is said, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
In conclusion, praying that you consider these few words as the seasons come and go, that you consider you have personally been placed in stewardship of your physical and spiritual heath.
Be also reminded that the Psalmist prays in Psalms 67:1-2, “…God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. (2) That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.”
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