Warren W. Wiersbe warns, "Any theology that minimizes personal holiness and excuses sinfulness is not biblical theology." When contemplating God's command to be holy, many say, "I'm only human." Jay Kesler explains, "There's often a terrible tension between God's call to holiness and our frail humanity." There are three things to keep in mind related to being holy, being human.

First, there is the benefit of being holy. Hebrews 12:14 reads, "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." Positionally you are made holy when you trust the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. 1 John 3:3 reads, "when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." This reminds me of a song titled, "We Shall Behold Him." Remember, the great benefit of salvation is that one day we shall be like Him!

Second, there is the basis of being holy. 1 Peter 1:16 reads, "because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'" This is a citation from Leviticus 19:1-2, "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy."'" This command refers to practical sanctification not positional sanctification. After we are convicted of our sinful condition by the Holy Spirit, and we repent and believe the gospel we are immediately indwelt by the Holy Spirit and sealed by Him until the day of redemption. The essence of being holy in a practical sense is to be set apart to God for His purpose. Thus, it is a call for saints to be holy in everyday life. Ephesians 1:4 reads, "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love."

Third, there is the burden of being holy. Jesus said, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). 1 Peter 1:13-15 reads, "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." Paul writes in Romans 7:15 and 19, "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do... For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." Here you can feel the frustration and futility of "walk[ing] according to the flesh" instead of "walk[ing] according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1-11).

Remember these things when you feel the tension between being holy and being human.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.