Take time to be holy. The first thought that came to mind with this week’s prompt, TAKE, at Five Minute Friday. A hymn from the late 1800s – with encouragement and so much practical wisdom….still for us today.
GO – The Bible tells us to “be ye holy” just as Christ is holy (I Peter 1:15-16). And whether that seems overwhelming, or even impossible, or not…it is not merely a suggestion or simply good advice. It is God’s expectation. He wants His children to be holy. To be “dedicated, consecrated or set apart for honorable use.” With our sins forgiven at salvation, we are to be daily pursuing holiness. Striving to foster a lifestyle of holiness and growing in spiritual maturity.
That exercise takes daily commitment to follow after holiness. There is where the practical wisdom from the old hymn of the faith comes in. Here are just a few lines taken from the hymn:
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, and feed on His word.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul, Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Holiness only will come when we spend time with Christ – in prayer and in Bible reading. It will require renewing our minds and regularly examining our hearts. These things take time. There are so many distractions. Countless demands on our time. But we must purpose in our hearts to take the time necessary in order to be holy, set apart and more like our heavenly father.
STOP – I hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday! Enjoy the weekend ahead…and read the rest of the FMF contributions. They can be found here.
Visiting as your FMF neighbor. Thanks for the reminders. Take time to spend time with the Lord. Have a blessed week.
Thanks for visiting, Joe! Hope your week is great as well!
Been spendin’ time with the Lord,
haven’t really got much choice;
prayer’s about all I can afford
as cancer takes my voice.
I really should be in the dumps,
my soul wracked in dark despair,
but me and Jesus, we fist-bumps
as I can smell the air Up There.
It’s joy I want to write about,
the kind that can’t be killed,
the kind that makes you sing and shout,
as you know it’s what God willed.
And presently, the end will come,
but no tears, please, I’m goin’ home.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/07/your-dying-spouse-641-freedom-to-love.html
It is a joy that we can pray….whether our voice cooperates or not! Glad you stopped by, Andrew!!
I love the lyrics of the hymn, and this is a great reminder about the importance of taking time to focus on God.
Thanks Lesley! Have a wonderful week ahead!