“The Lord spoke to Moses saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy”. - Leviticus 19:1-2. The Israelites who were brought out of Egypt fell into deep sin. Hence, God called them to be purified and to live a holy life. Even today, we are the Israelites, who fall into sin every day. “Jesus has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love”. - Ephesians 1:4. But we are so caught up by the pleasures of this material world that we always give in to the desires of our flesh. The word of God clearly tells us, “Do not love the world or things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, the pride in riches – comes not from the Father but from the world”. - John 2:15-16.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learnt from us how you ought to live and please God, you should do so more and more”. - 1 Thessalonians 4:1. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should obstain from fornication that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor”. - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4.
In order to experience Jesus in our lives, we need to become pure in our hearts, minds and lives. For Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”. - Mathew 5:8.
So, my dear brothers and sisters, let us try to lead a life of holiness in the sight of God so that we may be able to get his blessings. “For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness”. - 1 Thessalonians 4:7
