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Some Thoughts on Holiness We wrote last week that holiness is developed as we walk in the righteousness of God which was purchased for us by Jesus. To be holy is to be wholly set apart for the Lord Jesus. We wrote that we have no no inherent righteousness apart from Christ Jesus. Jesus was made sin for us that we might be the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor. 5:21). God has called us unto holiness (I Thes. 4:7). Hebrews tells us that without holiness no man shall see God (Heb. 12:14). If it’s that important, we need to have a good understanding of what holiness is and what it isn’t. While righteousness and holiness are separate things, they are also inseparable. The scribes and Pharisees had a form of righteousness in that they went to great lengths to fulfill the letter of the law, but their motives were not right. Such righteousness, whether theirs or ours, is as filthy rags in the sight of God (Isa. 64:6). We were given the righteousness of Christ when we were born again and became a new creature in Christ (II Cor. 5:17). However, our old sin nature is ever present and we have a constant battle to walk in true righteousness. We find constant admonitions throughout the apostle’s writings for us to put forth the effort to perfect our walk with the Lord, by putting away the sins and practices that hinder us. The apostles didn’t consider the saints of that day to be perfect, neither are we. II Corinthians 7:1 tells us that as we walk in the fear of God, we should put forth the spiritual effort to cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of the flesh, thus perfecting holiness. II Corinthians 7:1 ¶ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. I Peter 1:13-17 reminds us to be sober minded as obedient children. We no longer walk according to our former lusts. Because God is Holy, we are to be holy in all aspects of our daily lives. Our Father judges every man according to his works, so if we call on Him we need to pass the time that we have left on earth in in Godly fear. Separation from the world i.e. all that appeals to our fleshly lusts or opposes the rule of the kingdom of God is absolutely essential. II Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, Ephesians 4:22-24 reminds us to forsake our former way of living which was deceitful and corrupt. We need to be renewed in the spirit of our minds and to put on the new man which being patterned after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness. Peter said that having escaped the corruption of this world, we have become partakers of the Divine nature (II Peter 1:4). We just don’t think and react like we used to because we have the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:16). We find ourselves trying to live the Sermon on the Mount with such things as going the second mile, praying for those who misuse us and many other things that are against our human nature. Titus 2:11-14 reminds us that the grace of God is our teacher. He teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world as we look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Holiness is to be sanctified and set apart for the Master’s service (II Tim. 2:21). God spoke from Sinai and demanded our total love. We are to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (De. 6:5 ;Mk. 12:30). In our human condition this is impossible, but God provided a remedy, He loved us first. I John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. Jesus demanded that we be set apart and wholly committed to Him. He won’t settle for second place in our lives. Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. This seems harsh to us but it didn’t faze the apostle Paul one bit. Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, 9 ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: We gain holiness as we focus on the person of Christ Jesus. As we gain knowledge of Him we grow to be like Him. The limit of our growth is the “stature of the fullness of Christ.” Just how big is He? Much bigger than we can ever comprehend but we keep on seeking His fullness, which is all the fullness of God (John 1:16; Col. 1:16, 2:9). Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: We need to remember the cost of our salvation. It cost Jesus a huge price, his life’s blood. I Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we are free from sin and bear fruit unto holiness which results in everlasting life. Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries The purpose of About-Him.Com is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ whom we preach as the Almighty God manifest in the flesh. It is our desire that everything presented on these pages increases your faith in our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Home About Us About His Word Bible Studies Flash Movies Guest Writers Humor Links Midi Music Songs of the Church Thoughts on the Life of Christ Weekly Devotions Audio Devotionals Topical Studies Contact Last modified: 10-10-2011 Contact us About Him! Ministries |