We had this cliché that we used while taking pictures those days on campus. We would tell ourselves, “Please, give holiness gap.” What we meant was that brothers and sisters should not squeeze each other during pictures taking. Even though we often said it softly, we meant it. It was our own way of emphasizing purity among the brethren. But do people still give the holiness gap today?
Friend, where is the holiness gap in your life today? One truth you must never forget is that God’s standard has not and will never change (2 Timothy 2:19). When we say Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, it is not only in His power and might. It is also in His standards of purity (Hebrews 13:8). God’s foundation stands sure, from generation to generation.
There would never be a point in your life where standards of holiness will no longer be necessary (1 Corinthians 9:27). It does not matter the church you attend, the country you live in, your marital status, or your level of growth, standards of holiness must be kept. Stop using new creation realities to cover up for immorality. Sin is still sin and will always be (1 John 3:1-10).
When it comes to the sin of sexual immortality, the Bible prescription is to flee (1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Timothy 5:22). Your deliverance is in your legs, not in your tongues. Fleeing from unrighteousness is easier and better than doing exposition on why and how you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (Titus 2:11-12). Run first, you would do teaching later (Genesis 39:12).
It is better to be accused of being too strict than to be accused of being frivolous (1 Peter 4:1-5). Give holiness gap. Stop hugging the opposite sex every now and then while pretending that all is well with your emotions (Proverbs 6:27). Why would you stay in a dark and quiet place with your fiancé/fiancée and think you are safe? Give holiness gap.
Nobody has an anointed flesh. When it comes to sexual purity, never overrate your strength. Strong people are those who usually fall because of presumption (1 Corinthians 10:12). When you think you cannot fall, you are already falling. Grace has not been given us as a licence to sin. It has been given us as an empowerment against sin. Grace is a teacher (Titus 2:11-12). He teaches you to give the holiness gap. Amen.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria