A new year has started at End Time Harvest Bible College.  I always begin by emphasizing two things to our students.  First, God has a plan and purpose for your life. (Jer. 29:11) Each of us has a God-given mission to fulfill.  But…the Bible reveals to us that opposition will always rise up against one who is intent on carrying out God’s plan for his/her life.  Consider Joseph’s brothers, Pharaoh resisting Moses, Saul severely pursuing David. Yet each fulfilled God’s stated purpose for their lives.

Let’s continue by looking for a moment at Paul.  He preached the Gospel to many nations.  Yet, he knew he was to go to Rome, even if as a prisoner.  (Acts 23:11)  On the way, a great storm arose, and they were shipwrecked.  Once safe on the island, more opposition…a viper came out of the fire and latched onto his hand! (Acts 28:3) Satan always wants to prevent us from reaching our destination that God is sending us to!  But…the storm could not kill Paul.  The destruction of the ship could not kill Paul.  The snake that came from the fire could not kill Paul.  The people on the island expected Paul to die from the snake bite! They had concluded that he was a murderer, and because the storm didn’t kill him, the viper was to “execute justice.” (Acts 28:4) Why did Paul not die?

Herein lies the second point I wish to impress upon our new students:   To reach our God-directed destination, we must walk in holiness. “As He who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:15-16). Holiness means: sacred, set apart to God, being physically pure, morally blameless, consecrated unto Him.  We must walk with conduct that befits the salvation we have been accorded us by the Blood of Jesus our Lord.

Holy living allows us to abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  Only then can we declare that He is “My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.  For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.”  (Ps. 91:2-3) Only by walking in holiness can we expect to overcome any opposition the devil may throw at us as we pursue the plan that God has for each of us.  More importantly, if we are not walking in holiness, we will not one day find ourselves on  The Highway of Holiness, where only the redeemed may walk (Isa. 35:8-9).