How does Josiah's zeal for God inspire us to pursue holiness today? Josiah’s Radical Purge of Idolatry “ He pulled down the altars that were on the roof—the upper chamber of Ahaz—that the kings of Judah had made, along with the altars that Manasseh had built in the two courtyards of the LORD’s temple. He smashed them there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.” (2 Kings 23:12) What We Learn About Holiness • Holiness is active, not passive—Josiah “pulled down,” “smashed,” and “threw.” • True reform starts at God’s house first (1 Peter 4:17). • Partial obedience is disobedience; Josiah removed every trace of idolatry (Deuteronomy 12:3). Steps for Pursuing Holiness Today 1. Identify the idols – Anything that competes with Christ’s rightful place (Colossians 3:5). 2. Remove them decisively – “Flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). – Cut off what causes sin (Matthew 5:29-30). 3. Replace them with wholehearted worship – “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). 4. Guard the ground you reclaim – Keep watch over your heart (Proverbs 4:23). – Continual cleansing through the Word (Ephesians 5:26). Fuel for Zeal: Motivations from Scripture • God’s holiness command: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). • Christ’s redeeming purpose: “to purify for Himself a people who are His own, eager to do good works” (Titus 2:14). • Promise of deeper fellowship: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). Living It Out in Everyday Life • Schedule regular “temple inspections” of your habits, media intake, and relationships. • Engage in corporate worship and accountability; Josiah’s reforms were national, not merely personal (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Celebrate victories—Josiah ground the idols to dust; let past purges remind you of God’s power to keep you. The same Spirit who ignited Josiah’s zeal equips us today to pursue uncompromising holiness, so that Christ is exalted in every corner of life. |
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