MY VIEW ON BIBLICAL HOLINESS: ------------------------------------------ WHAT EXACTLY IS BIBLICAL HOLINESS ? I know Bible simply defines Holiness as to be separated from sin and therefore, consecrated to God for His purposes. I have heard some preachers say that it is absolute necessary for Christian to practice Holiness. Some other preachers say that we don’t have to practise holiness or try to become Holy because we are already made Holy because of Jesus’ sacrifice. As I was reading the Bible, my attention was drawn to the following verses on Holiness. Actually there are many verses in the New Testament that talks about Holiness but let’s consider the following verses: “But as He who called you is Holy, so you also be Holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) “Pursue peace with all people, and Holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10: 14) “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.” (1 Corinthians 1:30) “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10) You can see in 1 Corinthians 1:30 and Hebrews 10:10 that Christ Jesus has become Holiness for us through His perfect sacrifice, but in 1 Peter 1:15, Hebrews 10:14 and Hebrews 12:14 God is calling us to live a Holy life and practise or pursue Holiness. Now, taking these verses into consideration I realised that those preachers that say that we should not strive to be Holy because we are already Holy are talking from 1 Corinthians 1:30 and some similar passages like Hebrews 10:10 etc, but they are talking without considering other verses on Holiness in New Testament which shows different aspect of holiness. The other preachers that say that we must practice or pursue Holiness are emphasizing too much on Hebrews 12:14, Hebrews 10:14 and 1 Peter 1:15-16 as if we have to do everything in our own strength in order to achieve Holiness in our daily lives. There is no balance in both types of preachers here. Their statements are both vague and shallow. We must take into consideration all passages from the New Testament especially on Holiness and put them together like a jigsaw puzzle to get clear picture. Now, how do we reconcile these verses from the Bible that I have mentioned?. After comparing some verses, I came to realise that since God calls us or declares us as Holy because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, He now expects us to live Holy. Why I say like this because when you combine many verses from the New Testament you get this picture of Holiness. On the one hand our Holiness before God depends entirely on the work of Jesus Christ for us, by God’s will and God now calls or declares us Holy, but on the other hand we find in the New Testament that we are commanded to pursue or practise Holiness which is found in Hebrews 12:14, Hebrews 10:14 and 1 Peter 1:15-16 etc. These verses are actually not talking about our position as Holy before the Lord but it talks about our Holy walk in the Lord, in other words its talking about pursuing or practising Holiness as well. Scriptures speaks of both a holiness which we have in Christ before God, and a holiness which we are to practise or pursue. These two aspects of Holiness complement one another, for our salvation is a salvation to Holiness. It is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 that “God did not call us to be impure, but to live a Holy life.” Through Christ Jesus, we are made Holy in our standing before God, and called to be Holy in our daily lives. Based on scriptures I find out that God not only calls us Holy because of His Son’s perfect sacrifice for us but also expects us now to live Holy life and this is exactly what Saint Peter is talking about in 1 Peter 1:15-16. As a believer, practising or pursuing Holiness is not a matter of striving or self-efforts as some have mistakenly thought or even taught but of thriving!. The Grace of God is not only unmerited favour towards us but it is also divine empowerment from the Lord which enables us to live Holy. This divine empowerment by the grace of God is also stated by Paul in Titus 2:11-12 as “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” In other words, it is the grace of God that is working is us to live Holy. We can also say that it is God Himself working in us to live pure and holy life that is pleasing in His sight. As it is written “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13). We should not only be hearers of the Word but also doers (James 1:23). We should not just focus on our position as Holy before the Lord but should also let God’s grace bring forth fruits of Holiness in our lives. I have more verses to share and much more to write but I believe after reading this you will get an idea of what Biblical Holiness is or how New Testament defines Holiness. Let us not become astray or confused Christians by vague and shallow preaching, but rather be on guard and depend upon the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Therefore let us live Holy lives by the power of God’s grace since Him who called us is Holy! Amen.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 20:46:23 +0000
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