Mensa Otabil - Commit to Holiness (10/26/2025)
Welcome to day number four of our 40 days of power. I trust God that these three days of prayer and fasting have been beneficial to you. Now we’re on the fourth day, seeking the face of the Lord, praying, fasting, and trusting Him to come through for us. The God of heaven will come through for each one of us, and we will have a testimony at the end of the 40 days. Even before the 40 days are over, you will have a testimony. It’s important, as we seek the face of the Lord, that we commit ourselves to holiness. It’s one thing to separate from something that is wrong, but we also have to make an active commitment to do things that bring glory to God.
We read in 2 Corinthians 7: 1: «Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.» Living a holy life is a commitment, and I know most of you would say, «Pastor, a holy life is impossible.» However, God will not tell us to do something if it’s impossible to do. If He says we can live a holy life, it means He has the grace and the ability to help us to live such a life. Instead of saying, «I cannot do it,» it’s important for us to say, «I want God to help me to do it.»
As we fast and pray, we want to commit ourselves to holy living. The reason we are doing this, as the passage suggests, is that God has given us promises. When God says, «I’m going to do something for you. I’m going to help you, I’m going to open the door for you, I’m going to touch you, I’m going to heal you,» whatever promise God gives, based on His promises, He expects us to live a certain lifestyle. Because of the promises of God, we have to live a holy life. If at this moment you want to see the promises of God become real in your life, you cannot continue living haphazardly and in sin, believing that the promises of God will come true for you.
Some people think that a man of God’s anointing is so strong that no matter how sinful their life is, it doesn’t matter; God will still do it for them. God does not do things because of the prayer of a man of God. God does things because of His grace, mercy, and His promises. If He has promised to do it, He will do it. If He says He wouldn’t do it, nobody’s prayer can make Him do it. Thus, because we have the promises of God, we commit to living a holy life.
The passage says that in doing this, we must perfect holiness in the fear of God. What does that mean? It means that living a holy life starts with fearing God, having respect for God, revering God, and taking God seriously. If you take God seriously, respect Him and His Word, and want to live in a way that does not bring offense to Him and His name, then His presence will be important to you, and you can live a holy life. However, if God means nothing to you, if His Word means nothing to you, and His presence means nothing to you, you can be in church and behave anyhow. You can be in a prayer meeting and behave anyhow. Yes, people are praying, and you’re on your phone, and you' re WhatsApping people while you’re in a prayer meeting-then you don’t reverence God.
If you don’t reverence God, then you’re not going to commit to holiness, which is necessary for the promises of God to become real in your life. So during this time, be conscious of the presence of God. When you are in service, be aware; turn off your phones. Don’t chat with people; you can do that after service but not during service. Honor God, and as we perfect holiness in the fear of God, His promises will become real in our lives.
Let’s pray. Sit with me: Heavenly Father, You have called me to a life of holiness. I separate myself from anything that defiles me. In Jesus' name, Amen and amen.