Tuesday, March 25, 2025

The Cost of Holiness

Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
- 1 John 3:3

There are many Christians who like the notion of being holy as long as it cost them nothing—no hardships, no difficulties, no scorn and no financial or property loss.

Men like Samuel Wesley dug the wells of holiness and suffered losses—burning of crops, continual threats of physical harm and false imprisonment—yet they stood their ground for holiness.

Though men hated him, Samuel continued to live a life of holiness before God. Though his house was set on fire and he almost lost his son, John, who was trapped on the second floor of the burning building—he stood for holiness.

God is expecting us to stand for holiness too.

There is a cost to live a life of holiness—people will scorn you, they will hate you, you could lose your property, your money, you could get injured and you could even lose your life.

Jesus says, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25). A life of holiness costs something…are you willing to pay the price? There is no better price to pay than living for God.

Further Reading

• 2 Corinthians 7:1
• 1Thessaloians 4:7
• 1 Peter 1:15-16