"And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
We do not follow after holiness to get it, but because we have the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:2424And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24)).
It is the character of the new life, which we are exhorted to display.
The measure and character of it is Christ in glory.
It is by faith, for it looks to Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is the power for it.
May the precious love of Christ constrain our hearts to walk in the path of obedience to His Word in holy separation from every form of evil!
HAVE I an object, Lord, below
Which would divide my heart with Thee;
Which would divert its even flow
In answer to Thy constancy?
Oh teach me quickly to return,
And cause my heart afresh to burn.
Have I a hope, however dear,
Which would defer Thy coming, Lord!
Which would detain my spirit here
(Where naught can lasting joy afford)?
From it, my Savior, set me free,
To look, and long, and wait for Thee.
Be Thou the object bright and fair
To fill and satisfy the heart;
My hope to meet Thee in the air,
And nevermore from Thee to part:
That I may undistracted be
To follow, serve, and wait for Thee.