By Michael Hernandez
OXNARD–”We are called to live a life of holiness because it is essential business in the Kingdom of God,” said New Life Pastor Steve Abraham on a Sunday livestream in which he said, “There’s a hole in our holiness.”
‘Without holiness no one will see the Lord,” read Pastor Abraham from Hebrews 12:14 and said he would define what holiness is not: “It is not being weird; it is not distinct from everyday living. It is not legalism (which states you can’t do what other people do); it is not license (which states God doesn’t care what we do, because we have freedom in Jesus).
According to Pastor Abraham:
- We mock holiness.
- Holiness needs to be demonstrated.
- Some individuals don’t pursue holiness because they are not born again.
- Holiness is hard work and some of us like our sin too much.
“Christianity is the most difficult thing I have ever done. It is hard to live a life of holiness–some just give up. I urge, I beg you, don’t give up.
“Some of us can drift from this book (the word of God), from the standard. We got to get back to the standard and how to live. We have drifted and it is time to get back. What area in your life have you drifted?
“God is asking us to live a life of holiness. It is what glorifies Him and is best for you and I (sic). Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Living a life of holiness is essential business.”
Michael Hernandez, Co-Founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service; editor of the History Makers Report and founder of History Makers International—a community nonprofit serving youth and families in Ventura County, is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. He worked 25 years as a middle school teacher in Monrovia and Los Angeles Unified School Districts. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted by email at [email protected].
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