[𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝟷𝟶 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝟸-𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴.𝘤𝘰𝘮]

As the air turns crisp and the glow of the fireplace takes the chill out of early mornings in our harborside home in New England, I am reminded of another favorite cold-weather pastime: hot apple cider percolating in my Mom’s age-old urn on the marble-top credenza in my childhood family room.

It was a special treat at Christmastime.  When guests came to our home, Mom always set up an electric, 20-cup “coffee” urn in an easily accessible spot, for all to enjoy.  

She filled it with fresh apple cider and added cloves and cinnamon sticks for extra aroma and flavor.  Stepping inside from the cold, it was wonderful to fill thick paper “hot cups” with this delicious beverage and wrap our chilly hands around the heated sides of the cup, sipping the cider ever so carefully as to not burn our tongues!

The taste and smell of that hot cider stay with me years later.  One important detail made such a treasured memory possible: that harvest gold “coffee” urn was only, ever, always used for CIDER alone.  Nothing else ever touched the inside of that pot.  

It was a dedicated piece of equipment, with a singular purpose, for one season of the year alone.  Anything else would have altered the flavor.  (Mom never cared for coffee, so the thought of any hint of coffee in her apple cider was unimaginable!)  

Any attempt to brew hot apple cider at any other time of the year would have seemed odd, out of place, or may have diminished just how special it was to enjoy that specific treat during Christmastime.

Just a simple but touching memory for me, I hope this picture of my Mom’s apple cider urn will help us as we dig into the concept of personal holiness today.

In his New Testament letter, Peter challenged believers: “You must be holy in everything you do, just as GOD who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’”  (1 Peter 1:15-16, NLT)

What is holiness? A quick online search yielded these thoughts: 

• to be dedicated or consecrated to GOD 

• sacred, hallowed, sanctified, morally pure

• set apart for exclusive use

• separate, distinct from the common 

• GOD is holy because He is unique and separate from all else, and His people are called to be holy by being set apart from sin and devoted to Him

A pure, singular purpose – for GOD alone.  Pondering this one conclusion prompted another online search for a definition of purity:

• to be considered pure, something must be clean, clear, sterile, not contaminated or diluted 

• freedom from sin, defilement, and moral corruption, encompassing both inner spiritual cleanliness and outer moral conduct

• it involves a single-minded devotion to GOD, expressed through righteous thoughts, words, and actions, rather than solely sexual abstinence or ritual cleanliness 

• the concept is rooted in the Old Testament’s ritual laws and continues in the New Testament with JESUS’ teachings on a pure heart, which aligns the inner self with GOD’s standards and leads to seeing GOD (Matthew 5:8), and refers to those with sincere, unmixed, and undivided motives

What key questions do we need to ask ourselves to determine our level of personal holiness, the singularness of our purpose, the purity of our motives? 

What might we discover if we put various facets of our lives, our commitments, our thoughts, attitudes, or actions through a purity filter?  (is it clean, clear, uncontaminated? … is it free from sin, defilement, and moral corruption? … does it involve single-minded devotion to GOD? … is my heart sincere, unmixed, undivided?)

What in our lives can we say with confidence is fully devoted to GOD’s use and pleasure?  

We look forward to one day in glory, when we no longer wrestle the flesh, when our hearts will truly be undivided.  In the meantime, what would we say is the singular focus of our lives on this earth?

At the beginning of this series, we described revival as “a spiritual awakening or return to a state of life characterized by a renewed relationship with GOD.”  Any inclination in us that turns our hearts toward the LORD positions us for revival!  One byproduct of this renewed relationship with a holy GOD will be an awakening desire in us to also walk in holiness.

It is amazing to realize the reverse will also be true – a deeper understanding of personal holiness will inevitably lead to deeper revival!

When we recommit our lives to the LORD alone, fixing our eyes on JESUS (Hebrews 12:2), we will surrender ownership of our days to the only One who can claim them (1 Corinthians 6:19), and His Spirit will work within us to purify us into vessels fit for the Master’s use (2 Timothy 2:21).  As we intentionally behold the LORD’s glory, that same Spirit will transform us into the image of His Son (2 Corinthias 3:18).

As we pray: “Show me the right path, O LORD, point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the GOD who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in You.” (Psalm 25:4-5, NLT),

He is faithful to answer: “He renews my strength (refreshes/restores my soul).  He guides me along right paths (paths of righteousness), bringing honor to His Name.” (Psalm 23:3, NLT/NIV & ESV).

Our efforts may seem feeble and fraught with human failure.  But one small reach for GOD, one small step toward Him, the smallest desire to reflect His holiness in purity of thought and purpose can welcome His Spirit to work in wondrous ways.  What we are incapable of doing for ourselves, He will accomplish, expanding our capacity for broader knowledge of His Person, deeper appreciation for His character, and greater ability to align with His purposes.

A dedicated piece of kitchen equipment can preserve food’s flavor and integrity.  For some people, it can spare them from a serious allergic reaction, a truly life-or-death experience.  

We are called to be salt and light in this world. How do we preserve the “aroma and flavor” of CHRIST now living within us?  For some, our lives may be the only message of the gospel they will ever receive.  How can we ensure that our Savior’s light is the only one that shines through us?

We have the priceless opportunity to delight the heart of almighty GOD.  What might need to change for our lives to be considered fully devoted to Him, preserved from any contamination, purely available for His use and pleasure alone?

These are not easy questions to consider.  Complete devotion to GOD in our every-day lives seems difficult to wrap our heads around. Friends, let us not lose heart.  The One who claims us, the One who calls us to walk in holiness, is also the One who promises:

“I am the LORD, your GOD who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13, NIV)