Holiness to the Lord in Everyday Life
Gerrit W Gong, October 2024
Doctrines
The principle of Holiness - the idea that we can become like God, and he will abide in us when we keep our covenants - can apply to many doctrines - Plan of Salvation and The Nature of the Godhead to start. But, because we’ve set a goal to study it more, let’s make some connections to the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Helaman 3:35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.
*Sanctification ( and increased holiness) comes when we yield our hearts to God.(repent)
Russell M Nelson “The Lord does not expect perfection from us at this point. … But He does expect us to become increasingly pure. Daily repentance is the pathway to purity.” Ensign May 2019, We Can Do Better and Be Better.
Repentance made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ is how we can become more holy.
Principle of Holiness
Holiness goes beyond attending the temple regularly. We can and should infuse our lives with holiness. The phrase “Holiness to the Lord” has been translated from the Hebrew phrase “kodesh le’YHWH” which means singled out, belonging exclusively or set aside for/ to the Lord. It was more frequently used in reference to a person (not as much to a building.) These words were engraved upon a plate of pure gold and worn on the forehead of the high priests.
Elder Gong says:
“All around us are opportunities to laugh, delight, see with grateful eyes. Ours is a gospel of joy and holiness in everyday life. Holiness sets things apart for sacred purpose. But holiness also invites us to infuse daily living with the sacred—to rejoice in daily bread amidst this world’s thistles and thorns. To walk with the Lord, we must become holy, for He is holy, and to help us become holy, the Lord invites us to walk with Him.”
*Read Footnote #1 from this talk.
Leviticus 11:44 For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Moses 6:34 Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
*Footnote 1: From Old Testament times, we are taught, “Ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). We are to walk in holiness before the Lord (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:69), stand in holy places (see Doctrine and Covenants 45:32), keep the Sabbath day holy (see Exodus 20:8), wear holy garments (see Exodus 29:29), use holy anointing oil (see Exodus 30:25), be blessed by holy prophets (see Doctrine and Covenants 10:46), and rely upon holy scriptures (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:11), holy laws (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:20), and holy angels (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:6). Holiness to the Lord is intended to bless all aspects of our daily life.
Journaling & Affirmations
Heal the Past with Journaling:
How do I experience Elder Gong’s seven Cs: communion with God, community and compassion with each other, commitment and covenant with God, family, and friends—centered in Jesus Christ.
Examples: How have I experienced communion with God? How have I communed with my community(those around me)? How have I shown compassion toward others? What has my commitment to God looked like? What does my covenant with God mean to me? When have I been committed to family and friends? What would it take for my life to be centered in Jesus Christ?
Create a new some new thought pathways with Affirmations:
There are opportunities to laugh, delight, and see with grateful eyes all around me.
I am becoming my freest, happiest, most authentic, best self as I follow Him in faith.
Holiness to the Lord makes my daily living sacred.
Invitations & Promises
“you may wonder if your Heavenly Father loves you. The answer is a resounding, absolute yes! We can feel His love as we make holiness to the Lord ours each day, happy and forever.”
I hope you can see ways to do your everyday things for the Lord and walk in Holiness with him. Holiness is not perfection, but choosing and doing for the Lord.
