"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."
2 Corinthians 7:1
The song "More Holiness Give Me" motivates us to perfect holiness, asking God to help us add more holiness to our lives. Our heart is the starting and focal point, for we must look inward to add and strive for more holiness in our lives. As we look within, examining our hearts, we can perfect holiness in the fear of God. The sufferings and tribulations of our lives develop in us more patience and endurance. The testing of our faith produces steadfastness, which helps us to be mature and complete.
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)
As we walk by faith, trusting our Savior with all of our heart and might, we become aware of His unceasing care for us. So we must walk by faith and not by sight, casting all of our cares and worries on Him, for He cares for us and loves us.
"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Cor. 5:1-7)
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Pet. 5:6-11)
Our patience in the midst of suffering and trials helps us to develop joy as we serve our Lord. Our prayers help us cast our cares on Him, for He is always near assisting us.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:4-7)
As we trust God and praise Him, our hearts become grateful because our hope is in Him and His Word. His Word can build us up and sanctify us.
"And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Pet. 1:3-9)
We have a living hope because of the sorrows and grief of Jesus' death. Jesus died for us while we were sinners without the hope of redemption and eternity (Rom. 5:8, 1 Cor. 15:3). His love and suffering for us must compel us to show more meekness in our trials.
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5)
Our purity and strength will influence and motivate others to do good. As we keep ourselves unspotted or unstained from the world, we can motivate others to serve the Lord faithfully, knowing that we’re just pilgrims and strangers in this world of darkness as we look for a better home.
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. " (James 1:26-27)
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:11-12)
Our godly and righteous conduct will compel others, even unbelievers, to glorify our Father in heaven. We can rest assured that when we practice God's principles of righteousness, we will be vessels for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful in the kingdom of our Great Master, ready for every good work.
"Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Tim. 2:20-21)
But we must acknowledge that to be purer, more holy, and more godly, we must put into practice all of our Savior’s principles of righteousness and become more like Him. Our Savior has left us a perfect example so that we might walk in His footsteps to please God.
"For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:19-21)
Thus, we must strive and make an effort to be more holy and pure before our God, becoming what God wants us to be. Since Jesus died for you and me, we must pray to God to help us perfect our holiness with fear or reverence that we might be with Him forever in heaven. "More Holiness Give Me." "More purity give me.”
May we strive to be more holy and pure before God. May God help us to perfect our holiness with fear that we might be with Him forever in heaven. May we examine our hearts to perfect our holiness in the fear of God. May Jesus' love and suffering compel us to show more meekness in our trials.
I hope the words of this beautiful song move you the way they move me!
More holiness give me, More strivings within,
More patience in suffering, More sorrow for sin,
More faith in my Savior, More sense of His care,
More joy in His service, More purpose in prayer.
More gratitude give me, More trust in the Lord,
More praise for His glory, More hope in His word,
More tears for His sorrows, More pain at His grief,
More meekness in trial, More praise for relief.
More purity give me, More strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth stains, More longings for home,
More fit for the kingdom, More useful I’d be,
More blessed and holy, More, Savior, like Thee.
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