Holiness

God knows that we are incapable of keeping on being holy in our natural selves so He made it possible for us to find that holiness and righteousness 'in Christ'.

New Boston Church of Christ

The Bible sets high standards.  We would like to think that the character trait of holiness is an optional extra in our walk of faith, a nice add-on if only we could manage to maintain moral perfection.  However, from both old and new Testaments we are clearly told that holiness is an essential part of godly living.

Peter tells us: 

'As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  (1Peter 1:14-16). 

He quotes from the book of Leviticus, which is all about holy living for the ancient Hebrew people.

God is holy.  He is holy in every attribute.  His love is holy love, His mercy is holy mercy, and His righteous anger is holy wrath.  And He wants us to be like Him.

Before Jesus came the way to be holy was to be separate, set apart from the world.  God chose a people, a tribe, and a family within that tribe to be set apart and distinct from other peoples.  Ritual washings, special clothing, avoiding contaminants, all played their part in the complex structure of separation, then blood sacrifice made it possible to be restored from failures.   Thus the people could be 'kadosh', holy, and they had to learn the difference between the holy and the common.

Man's propensity to keep on sinning meant limited success in the practice of holy living.  And yet the command remains, not only for Jews but for all believers in all nations. The standard has not been lowered, so God sent us help, first in the form of His Son Jesus and then in the presence of His Holy Spirit, the Helper.

Paul tells us:

'It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.' (1Corinthians 1:30)

life-changers

God knows that we are incapable of keeping on being holy in our natural selves so He made it possible for us to find that holiness and righteousness 'in Christ'.  The word for holiness in the New Testament is 'hagiasmos' which is also translated as 'sanctification'.  The difference is that holiness is a state of being, but sanctification is a process - we are being made holy.  The good news is that God hasn't finished with us yet.  Though He tells us to be 'perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect', we are pilgrims on a journey and justified by belonging to Jesus.  We, the redeemed, are on the 'Way of Holiness' (Isaiah 35).

Today, because of Jesus, we are no longer separated 'from' the world but set apart in our hearts 'to' the Lord who is rescuing and recycling us into the people He wants us to be.

'Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.'  (2Corinthians 7:1)

We have a relationship with the living God, set apart from the world, learning to live by God's Word and His Spirit.

Author: John Plumb

May God bless and enrich your life

Please feel free to share this article and other articles on this site with friends, family and others.