Holiness is very essential when fulfilling God’s kingdom assignments, whether it’s church ministries, evangelistic services, missional outreach, or any other area of life where believers are called to be a light in the world. Living a holy life demonstrates God’s power and influence, impacting others and expanding the kingdom.

The Bible clearly emphasizes the importance of holiness, both as a personal attribute and as a requirement for serving God. In Leviticus 19:2, God commands, “Be holy, because I am holy,” highlighting the need for believers to reflect God’s holiness in their lives. Also, in Hebrews 12:14, God calls believers to pursue holiness not just because it’s a prerequisite for seeing Him, but because it’s also essential for experiencing His presence and it’s the way to manifest His character and will in the world.

Essentially, the word pursue suggests that holiness is a lifelong task that requires, conscious efforts, commitment, and diligence in aligning one’s life with the will of God, reflecting His character, and pursuing a life of separation from sin. However, holiness is also a lifelong process which cannot be completely attained in a life time, because as a person strive to conform to God’s will in one area of life, God also actively reveals the needs in some other areas. This explains why holiness is a journey of ongoing growth, sanctification and efforts to be more like our Lord Jesus Christ. Holiness is not something we can achieve on our own but it’s a gift from God, enabled by the Holy Spirit and made possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

All believers, regardless of their specific role or life stage, are called to strive for a life of holiness and perfection, mirroring God’s own holiness. According to the biblical texts in Matthew 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” and 1 Peter 1:15-16 “Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do”.

The message of being called to holiness in both discipleship and kingdom assignments refers to a spiritual mandate to live a life of righteousness, purity, and dedication to God’s purposes. It emphasizes personal transformation and service to fulfill God’s will. The call to holiness is a universal one, applicable to all believers, regardless of their specific roles or calling within the body of Christ. 

Believers who are seeking to fulfill their kingdom assignments must always pray for God’s guidance, strength, and power to carry out their tasks effectively and with holiness. Being called to holiness in discipleship and kingdom assignments means living a life that is pleasing to God, reflecting His character, and fulfilling His purposes in the world. 

All believers must understand that discipleship is not just a one-time event, it’s a way of life and a continuous journey of learning, obedience and growth in faith. This is the reason why a Christian cannot be without also being a disciple. It’s also the reason why salvation, holiness, mission and discipleship are intertwined. While salvation is the initial act of believing in Jesus, discipleship is the active pursuit of living out that faith. Holiness is not just about individual salvation, but also about the expansion of God’s kingdom on earth. The holy God calls for holy people to be His ambassadors, reflecting His Glory and expanding His kingdom.

Jesus command to go and make disciples which is a core aspect of Christian mission, which suggests that followers of our Lord Jesus Christ are also called to disciple others. This means that holiness is built on obedience to God’s word and commands, which allows His principles to shape every aspect of life.  

Missional Outreach is a natural outflow of a heart transformed by God’s grace and holiness. It’s the active demonstration of love, service, and compassion in the world.

Our Lord Jesus Christ exemplified holiness, discipleship and kingdom work in His life and ministry. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father. He actively trained His disciples, and shared the Gospel message with all who embraced it.

The early church, as described in Acts 2:42-47 was characterized by both holiness and kingdom agenda. They lived lives of prayer, community, and service while also actively sharing Gospel with others.

Holiness is crucial aspect of effective kingdom work, as it’s believed that a holy life is more credible and effective in witnessing to others. Holiness is not just about moral behavior, but also about spiritual transformation and a growing relationship with God. Essentially, holiness is seen as a key ingredient for fulfilling one’s calling by being a distinct witness to the world.

The desire to live a holy life can be a powerful motivator for engaging in kingdom work, when believers are drawn to God’s holiness, they are also drawn to God’s mission in the world, proclaiming His love and transforming the world.