Peter, who had once been courageous and defiant, now that the Holy Spirit came to fill his life, became an instrument for God's glory. Peter was never the same again. He now knew what was right and counted on the help of the Holy Spirit to live in holiness.

 

The evidence that we are truly cultivating a relationship with the Spirit of God is when we are living lives of integrity and pursuing holiness. The filling of God's power, the filling of the Holy Spirit, is only meaningful if we live lives pleasing to God. We push ourselves toward holiness.

 

His name is the Holy Spirit. HOLY is part of His name.

 

Jesus speaks to the Sadducees, the religious leaders, and tells them this in Matthew 22:29: “Your error is that you do not know the Scriptures and you do not know the power (dunamis) of God.”

 

Here we find that word "dunamis" again. These religious leaders may have never missed church, but outside the church, in secret, they didn't know the dunamis of God.

 

May God forgive us if we have been like these religious leaders. When you have truly had an encounter with the Holy Spirit, He will lead you to change your ways, He will lead you to change your habits, your attitudes, and He will lead you to holiness.

 

The Spirit of God seeks to make us pure. Don't just look for a moment at the altar without change. Let these moments at the altar change your life outside the walls of the church. That is what will truly make a difference in your life.

 

It is beautiful to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and we should seek it, but it also entails our responsibility to allow that power to purify us. It requires holiness, and God gives us the strength to live these holy lives.

 

Do not ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit. If you're feeling conviction, don't ignore it—embrace it. Conviction doesn't come to blame you. The conviction of the Holy Spirit comes to make you better—to guide you to holiness.

 

It's time to let go of everything that's not leading you to holiness.

 

You have access to a power that guides and helps you live a holy, wholesome, and pleasing life before God. You are not alone. You can live in holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit working in you.

 

REFLECT: What things in your life are keeping you from living a holy life? What area in your life do you need God to come and purify? Why is it hard for you to live in holiness? What can you do to help you live in holiness? Are your private life and the life you present at church the same?

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PRAY: Surrender any area of your life that is not leading you to holiness. Pray that God would examine your heart and purify whatever needs to be cleaned

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ADDITIONAL READING: Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:13-16; 2 Corinthians 7:1

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Take a few minutes to think about this and write your thoughts down in a notebook or notes app.