Nowadays, holy living is often considered old-fashioned, rigid, or unrealistic. The modern world pushes us to think that nothing is truly right or wrong; it all depends on perspective. Values shift, moral boundaries become blurred, and truth becomes relative. But is holy living still possible in such a world?
The answer: not only is it possible, but it is even more important. In 1 Peter 1:15-16 it says, “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” Holy living is not an optional extra, but the primary calling from God.
Holiness is not about being perfect, but about living set apart for God. The world may say, “Everyone else is like this,” but we are called to be different. Holy living does not mean never failing, but choosing to rise and keep striving to please God, not people.
Why does holiness feel difficult? Because not everyone pursues it. But precisely because of that, holiness becomes a light. In Philippians 2:15 it says, “…so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” A dark world makes the light shine even more clearly.
Relativism does not change God’s truth. The world may keep shifting, but His word remains the same. Jesus did not call us to be relevant to the world, but to be salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-14). We are not called to conform to the world, but to reflect Christ.
Holy living is not merely about rules, but a form of our love for God. John 14:15 says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Holiness is the fruit of relationship, not compulsion. When we love God, we will long to live according to His will, even if it goes against the tide of the times.
Do not be afraid to live differently. Holiness may cause us to be laughed at, misunderstood, or even rejected. But it is better to be rejected by the world for living rightly than to be accepted by the world but lose the presence of God.
