Israel was called by God to walk in holiness as a spiritually separated people. That is why they were not to make any covenant with the evil nations around them. Yet, despite God’s warnings, they made a league with the deceptive Gibeonites in Joshua 9:3-15.
God has called us to walk in holiness before Him, in the midst of this evil generation. We are commanded to be holy even as God is holy as God’s chosen people.
1 Peter 1:15, 16 says:
"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
The word “conversation” actually means “conduct,” which means that we are to be holy in our behavior.
-Jesus is not coming to receive a bride that is committing spiritual adultery with the world.
-He is not coming for a bride polluted with the sinful lusts and desires of this world.
-He is coming for a people who have been cleansed and purified, a church without spot or blemish, the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ.
Jesus came to earth, suffered the shame and agony of the cross, died, and was resurrected so we could be holy and without blemish. Through the blood of Jesus, He made it possible for you to be clothed with His righteousness. He has given you the power to live a life that is holy and blameless before Him:
Ephesians 5:26, 27says:
"...Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
God has planned for believers to set a standard of holiness that will reflect the light of His gospel to the world. Paul told the Philippians in Philippians 2:15:
"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."
Instead of following God’s standards, however, many believers are polluted by the world. Instead of speaking out against evil, they have compromised with the world and become comfortable with the sin that surrounds them.
Examine your own life. Have the “Gibeonites” invaded your life and your church? Have you been deceived by the enemy? Are you living comfortably with and in sin? Stop the invasion now before there is a complete take over in Jesus name!
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