The Call to Holiness

Opening Verse

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” – Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)

Introduction

Understanding our call to holiness is essential in our walk with God. It’s about aligning our lives with God’s standards, not just avoiding wrongdoing but embracing a life that reflects His purity and righteousness.

Devotional Story

Imagine a child wearing a bright white shirt, playing outside. Throughout the day, the shirt gets stains from mud, food, and grass. When he returns home, his mother doesn’t discard the shirt but washes it, removing all the stains, restoring it to its original white state.

Similarly, our lives often accumulate ‘stains’—these are our sins. They can be actions, thoughts, or words that go against God’s commands. These sins mar the purity of our spiritual ‘garments’.

What This Means

Sin, in its essence, is anything that separates us from God. It includes obvious wrongs like lying, stealing, gossip, and hurting others, but it also covers subtler things like harboring resentment, indulging in pride, or nurturing impure thoughts. All these are stains on our spiritual garments.

Think About This

If God has made a way to cleanse us completely, why would we choose to continue staining our garments? Living in sin after being cleansed is like the child deliberately rolling in mud right after his shirt is washed.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for the cleansing power of Jesus’ sacrifice, which washes away all my sins and restores me to purity. Help me to live a life that reflects Your holiness, turning away from sin and walking in Your ways. Guide me in Your truth and keep me close to You. Amen.

Closing Verse

“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” – Ephesians 5:26 (KJV)