The Transforming Power of Holiness: How You Can Live Right in a World That Is All Wrong
Picture this: a young man, poor and ragged, stands before a king’s palace door. He’s been invited inside, but first, he must shed his old, dirty clothes. He’s given royal garments in their place—fresh, fine, and fit for a king’s court. As he tosses the old clothes aside and dons the new, there’s a sense of relief, as if the weight of his past is falling away. In this moment, he isn’t just changing clothes; he’s stepping into a new identity, a new life.
This image gives us a glimpse of what it means to live the life God has called us to—a life of holiness. Just as that young man left behind his worn-out rags, we are called to leave behind the old life. And just as he steps into new, royal clothing, we step into a new life—one that reflects the character and calling of the King.
But here’s the question: What does holiness look like in our everyday lives? And more importantly, is it possible for us to actually live holy, like Jesus did?
The Call to Holiness: Putting on the New Self
The Bible paints a powerful picture of this transformation. It uses the idea of taking off the “old self” and putting on the “new self.” Those who are in Christ have “laid aside the old self with its evil practices” (Colossians 3:9) and “put on the new self, which is being renewed… in the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:10).
This charge isn’t just a call to behave differently; it’s an invitation to be someone different. It’s about becoming the person God created you to be. The moment we accept Christ, our past, failures, or shortcomings no longer define us. Instead, what defines us is our connection to Him.
Paul explains in Romans 6:2–6 that we’ve been united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. It’s as if our old selves were crucified with Him so that sin might lose its power over our lives. In Galatians 2:20, Paul goes further: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
This means that holiness isn’t about working harder to live a perfect life. It’s about understanding that Jesus did all the heavy lifting for us. He didn’t just do these things for us—He did them with us. We are, in a very real sense, crucified, buried, and raised to life with Him.
Abiding in Christ: The Secret to Living a Holy Life
Let’s make something clear: none of us can live a holy life on our own. We weren’t designed to. There is only One who lived a perfect, sinless life—Jesus. And here’s the good news: He didn’t just live that life for us; He lives that life through us.
In John 15:1-8, Jesus uses a powerful metaphor to describe this truth. He says, “I am the vine; you are the branches… Apart from me, you can do nothing.” Think about that for a second. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. But connected to Him, we can bear much fruit.
This is what holiness looks like—staying connected to the source of life, the true vine. A branch can’t produce fruit on its own, no matter how hard it tries. It has to stay connected to the vine. And the same is true for us. When we remain connected to Christ, His life flows through us, and the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—begins to show up in our lives.
The Fruit of Holiness: A Changed Life
Here’s the truth: you can’t fake fruit. Real fruit comes from a real connection. And that’s what Jesus accomplishes—a life that’s transformed from the inside out. When we stay connected to Him, our lives start to look different. We start to think differently, act differently, and love differently.
This is the kind of life that Jesus calls us to—a life that bears the fruit of holiness. And the more we stay connected to Him, the more fruit we’ll bear.
But here’s the thing: the closer you are to Christ, the more fruitful your life will be. It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection.
The Challenge of Holiness in Today’s World
Now, let’s be honest—living a holy life isn’t easy. There’s pressure on every side to compromise, to give in, and to settle for less. The world around us is filled with temptations that can make us feel like we’re not cut out for this. We can feel like holiness is for everyone else, but not for us.
But here’s what I want you to know: holiness is possible, not because of who you are, but because of who Christ is in you. The more you stay connected to Jesus, the more you’ll realize that the pressure to be perfect is not on you. The pressure is on Christ—He’s the one producing holiness in you.
It’s like this: imagine Jesus taking a crooked stick and drawing a straight line. That crooked stick is us—flawed, imperfect, and bent. But in the hands of Jesus, the line is always straight.
Three Keys to Staying Connected to the Vine
So, how do we stay connected to Christ and live the kind of holy life He calls us to? Here are three keys:
- Daily Prayer—Spend time with Christ in prayer every day. Make it a habit to connect with Him, share your heart, and listen for His voice.
- Bible Reading – God’s Word is alive and active. When you read it, you’re not just reading words on a page—you’re engaging with truth that transforms. Make time to read and understand it.
- Fellowship with Believers – We weren’t meant to do this alone. Surround yourself with other believers who will encourage, challenge, and support you in your walk with Christ.
