Emulating examples of holiness and sanctification of Bible characters
1 Corinthians 10:11 “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
We see the lives of Bible believers who received the grace of God into their lives, and lived the life of holiness and sanctification. They esteemed sanctification, holiness, purity of heart and life above all things. And whenever any thing stood in their way opposing holiness and sanctification, they pushed those things aside and cleaved to the gracious holiness of God in their lives. Thus, even when they went through the tunnel of affliction, they came out victorious.
Think about Enoch. A holy man? Yes, of course: for he walked with the LORD for 300yrs in the midst of corrupt and evil people. More so, he was translated even in the midst of that perverse generation. For before his translation, he had this testimony that he pleased God.
How about Joseph?
Think about the holiness of Joseph. A real epitome of holiness displayed. We know about how Portiphar’s wife cast her eyes on him, and how she pestered him saying, do this with me! But this young man who knew that if there was anything to cherish, it is sanctification and holiness.
In furtherance, there was undeniable fear of God cited in his response to her when he said, “how can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” Eventually, the woman became desperate, and caught hold of him and said, you must! Remember, Joseph was a young man, and biologically his body would have given him some funny signs.
Notwithstanding, Joseph didn’t parley with the woman like Eve did with the tempter. Neither did he give room for the flesh to insist. I’m sure he was like, “I keep under my body, and I bring it into subjection.” Then, he ensued the scripture that says, “Flee youthful lust!” So he fled. Praise the LORD!
And when he was cast into prison, he didn’t question God? Rather, he cleaved to the scripture that says, “If when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently for this is acceptable with God.” Hence, even while in prison, Joseph never made mention of it in order to prove his holiness, but went on with his business.
And even when he requested of the king’s cupbearer to remember him when he was reinstated, he just said, “For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into dungeon. In this, Joseph was a type of Christ in that he suffered unjustly and moreso, as Joseph did not reflect upon his brethren that sold him, nor did he reflect on the wrong done to him by his mistress that was his persecutor, and his master that was his judge.
Our Lord even prayed for those who crucified him, and never affronted their assault. As the scroll unfolded, Joseph’s brothers came. At the due time, Joseph made himself known to them. They were afraid and thought he would have his revenge. But no, he embraced them and kissed them just like Christ received all who cried “Crucify him, crucify him” on the day of Pentecost.
And Joseph said, don’t blame or hurt yourselves; God permitted and suffered it to be so to save lives. That it might be fulfilled. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.” His Father also came, whom Joseph saw, and with the rememberance of family love, they wept on each other’s neck. And Joseph never told his father, what did this my brethren say happened to me? This is holiness.
More so, after his father’s death, his brethren thought that his forgiveness was superficial, and now Joseph will have his pound of flesh. So, they came to him prostrating before him, and pleading for mercy and favour. Oh, here comes the voice of a holy man, am I God? I will not punish you. Reconciling the scripture that says, “do not render evil for evil, but overcome evil with good.” This is a typical review of scriptural holiness.
Ultimately, this is the kind of practical holiness that we are talking about. Not merely professing it with our lips or practicing superficial, religious holiness that doesn’t have root. I pray that this will bring us back to thought, and prompt us to strive to attain this holiness without which no man shall see God.
Reagan Azoyenime is a born again Christian and an undergraduate student of Ambrose Ali University, Nigeria. He writes edifying Christian messages centred on salvation in Christ and holiness.
E-mail: razoyenime@gmail.com
