Day 8

Day 8 of Your Journey
Holiness Begins in the Heart

The late Christian singer Keith Green once said, “Discipline will not make you holy, but it will keep you holy.” Spiritual disciplines are essential to continued fruitfulness in our walk with God. Time in God’s Word, prayer, meditation, Scripture memory, etc. are all great tools to aid us toward holiness.

When all is said and done, however, holiness will not come from our outward actions. It will arise from a heart that seeks God’s pleasure in all of life.

Holiness is a passion that seeks to reflect Christ’s love in action and attitude. It understands that to be much with Jesus is to become much like Jesus. Discipline is the tool which gets us into His presence; it is His presence which then changes us into His image.

Seek to develop good disciplines in your life. They will aid you in your spiritual growth. But always remember, they are a means to an end, not an end in themselves.

The end should always be Jesus. It is to Him that the elders and angels cry, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:11-12 ESV).

Making It Personal

Lord, help me to develop good disciplines in life. But may I always remember that discipline is not a substitute for holiness—it’s just the pathway to it. My goal is not self-righteousness. My goal is for You to be exalted in my life. Make me holy for Your glory. Amen.