Rules For Holy Living ~ Precious C Philip [Practical things to do to live holy]

Quite a number of Christians ask the question, "How can I live a holy life?" or "What can I do to live holy?". Well, the good news is that the Bible really explains to us how we can live holy lives. It actually gives us practical things we can do on a daily basis to live holy.

While reading my NIV Bible few weeks ago, it occurred to me that Colossians 3:1-17 actually tells us practical things we can do to live holy. That Chapter three of the book of Colossians is actually titled "Rules for Holy Living" in my NIV Bible. 

I sat down and read it in different versions of the Bible for better and deeper understanding. I read CEV, NLT, GNT, GWT, TLB, TPT, and ERV translations of that scripture and got deeper understanding of what holy living entails. A lot of spiritual truths are embedded in that scripture. 

Therefore, if you really want to know the practical things you can do to live holy, please take out time and read, study and meditate on Colossians 3:1-17; read different translations of it, but before reading, consciously ask the Holy Spirit to give you deep understanding and spiritual insight.

I however will share a translation of that scripture that I really love in this article, hoping that you'll on your own read other versions after going through this article. Please read the following scripture slowly and carefully.

Colossians 3:1-17 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) reads: 

"You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth. 3 Your old self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. 4 Yes, Christ is now your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory.

5 So put everything evil out of your life: sexual sin, doing anything immoral, letting sinful thoughts control you, and wanting things that are wrong. And don’t keep wanting more and more for yourself, which is the same as worshiping a false god. 6 God will show his anger against those who don’t obey him,[a] because they do these evil things. 7 You also did these things in the past, when you lived like them.

8 But now put these things out of your life: anger, losing your temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and saying shameful things. 9 Don’t lie to each other. You have taken off those old clothes—the person you once were and the bad things you did then. 10 Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. 11 In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian.[b] It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.

12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. 14 Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body.[c] And always be thankful.

16 Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus."

Wow! Amazing! Very practicable. You will agree with me that this is one of the scriptures in the Bible that gives you practical things to do to live holy on earth.

Now you know what things you need to do to live holy on earth, commit to doing them; start doing them today; begin right now. For without holiness, no man (Christian) will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). This is why God commands us to be holy for He is holy (1 Peter 1:16).

If you are not born again, that is, if you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus Christ completely and consciously made Him your Lord, but you're seeking to live a holy life, please know that it would be absolutely impossible for you to live a holy life in your current state. You need to first surrender your life to Christ and you'll receive the Holy Spirit who will empower you to do all it takes to live holy. Why not take that step right now and invite Jesus into your life. He is eager to come into your life and be your Lord. He really loves you. Welcome Him into your life by asking Him to be your Lord and Savior and your life will never remain the same again.

Shalom.