The Twin Flames of Faith: Longing for Holiness and God’s Kingdom

 

The Twin Flames of Faith: Longing for Holiness and God’s Kingdom

As Christians, our hearts are set ablaze by two deep desires, beautifully captured by Martyn Lloyd-Jones: “A Christian will have two longings in his life—one, to be holy; and another, for His kingdom to come.” These twin flames—one personal, one missional—define the Christian life. They’re not separate sparks but intertwined callings that fuel a life devoted to God’s glory. Let’s dive into what it means to long for holiness and to pray for God’s kingdom, drawing from Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6:9-10: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Longing to Be Holy: A Life Set Apart

When Jesus taught us to pray, “Hallowed be your name,” He invited us to seek God’s holiness in our lives. This is the inward cry: Lord, make me holy as You are holy. The Bible echoes this in 1 Peter 1:14-15: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”

Holiness, from the Hebrew qōdesh (meaning “set apart”), isn’t about perfection or a list of don’ts. It’s about aligning our lives with God’s purposes, cultivating virtues like love, humility, and compassion (Galatians 5:22-23). As C.S. Lewis put it, “How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing, it is irresistible.” Holiness isn’t just avoiding sin—it’s embodying Christ’s character.

Consider the story of a colleague of Billy Graham in Amsterdam, tempted during a gospel meeting. To guard his heart, he locked his hotel door and threw the key out the window, later telling Graham, “Even if I wanted to sin, I couldn’t.” That’s the fierce pursuit of holiness—a choice to be set apart, no matter the cost. Yet, as Philip Yancey warns in What’s So Amazing About Grace?, “Christians get very angry toward other Christians who sin differently than they do.” True holiness rejects pride, embracing grace for ourselves and others.

Longing for His Kingdom: A Prayer for the World

The prayer “Thy kingdom come” is a missional cry, yearning for God’s reign in our lives and the world. Matthew 24:14 declares, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” This longing drives us to join God’s mission, as 1 Timothy 2:3-4 reminds us: “God our Savior… wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

This desire fueled Amy Carmichael, a missionary in South India. Born in 1867, Amy once prayed for blue eyes, disappointed by her brown ones. Years later, in 1895, she arrived in India and learned of temple prostitution, where young girls were forced into servitude. To rescue them, she founded the Dohnavur Fellowship in 1901, disguising herself as an Indian woman with coffee powder and a sari. Her brown eyes, which she once wished were different, let her blend in—blue eyes would have exposed her. Amy saved hundreds of girls, showing how God uses our “flaws” for His kingdom.

Similarly, Gladys Aylward, a British maid born in 1902, felt called to China despite being rejected by mission agencies. In 1930, she traveled alone to Yangcheng, saving her wages for a perilous journey. As a “foot inspector” enforcing anti-foot-binding laws, she shared the gospel in villages. During the 1938 Japanese invasion, she led over 100 orphans on a 100-mile trek to safety, nearly dying from typhus. Her faith, as Jim Elliot said, proved, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Gladys’ orphans became Christians, and her witness transformed lives.

Living the Twin Longings: Practical Steps

How do we nurture these flames in our daily lives? Here are two ways to live out holiness and kingdom mission, inspired by the Wesleys and missionaries like Amy and Gladys.

1. Pursue Holiness Daily

Holiness starts with intentionality. Set aside time for prayer and Scripture, not as a chore but a delight (Psalm 119:11). Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart (Psalm 139:23-24) and repent humbly, extending grace to others. The Holy Club, founded by John and Charles Wesley in 1729, used 22 questions for self-examination. Try these four to spark reflection:

  • Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

  • Did the Bible live in me today?

  • Is there anyone I criticize or hold resentment toward? If so, what am I doing about it?

  • Is Christ real to me?

Journal these or discuss them with a friend to grow in humility and devotion.

2. Join the Kingdom Mission

Praying “Your kingdom come” means acting on it. Pray for the unreached using tools like Operation World. Support missionaries through organizations like Barnabas Aid, which I’ve joined to serve persecuted Christians. Share the gospel locally—your neighbor, coworker, or family is your mission field. This week, try a kind act or a conversation about faith.

Gladys Aylward’s trek reminds us that small steps matter. When she faced a swollen river with no boat, she prayed, and a Chinese officer appeared to help. Her faith in God’s provision turned impossibility into opportunity, inspiring us to trust God in our own mission.

A Life on Fire

The Christian life is a dance of deep holiness and wide-reaching mission. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, these longings define us: to be holy like Jesus and to help the world know Him. May God’s name be hallowed in you through a life set apart, and may His kingdom come through you as you share His love.

Let’s pray together: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Amen.

 

 

 

About the author:

Roy Felix Joshua is a global ministry leader, educator, and advocate with over 16 years of experience in theological education, cross-cultural discipleship, and spiritual formation.

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