holiness

All posts tagged holiness

Morality According to Christ: The Truth About Holiness

Posted by Roderick on September 26, 2011
Posted in: Christian Walk, Daily Living, General Christianity. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

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Well, the verdict is in! God is still holy and expects those that draw nigh unto Him by faith in Christ to be holy. I know, I know: individuals throughout the ages have placed different stances on the holiness and what it means to be holy. However, one thing is established, God is holy. Holiness can be defined as morality according to Christ. Both Testaments affirm that God is Holy. Also, both Testaments agree that there is a requirement on those who serve Him to be holy; that is, demonstrated His definition of morality as revealed in the scriptures. In this post, we want to briefly examine three reasons for holiness in the Christian life.  Let’s get to it.

1) God EXPECTS those that come to Him to be holy. Jesus Christ freed men from the law, but not from living morally upright before God. As Peter wrote to the believers, he reminded them of God’s command to His people.

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV)

Remember, God sets the parameters of holiness. It is not defined by what we are comfortable with or what we agree with. He identifies Himself as holy. This clearly demonstrates that our actions should reflect who He is.

2) One has to be holy to ESCAPE the coming judgment. Understand, faith in Christ is what saves men from their sin. However, after coming to Him, we still must live a life theat clearly reflects the faith and our relationship with Him.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness…? 2 Peter 3:11 (KJV)

3) The Christian who is holy serves as an EXAMPLE of the faith. The Christian’s lifestyle of holiness is a visible manifestation of the work of Christ. Paul reveals this in his exhortation to Timothy,

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.1 Tim 4:12 (KJV)

Christ died for man’s forgiveness and freedom from sins. When others see a changed life, they come face-to-face with the power of Christ’s death and resurrection.

Well there you have it! Holiness is not a religion or belief system, it is the defining quality of God that is to be reflected in His people. Until next time, continue in Him whose eyes are upon those who wait for Him.

The Holiness of God: Remembering that He is Holy

Posted by Roderick on October 4, 2010
Posted in: Bible Study, Christian Walk, General Christianity. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

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We live in a world that consistently tells us to act, think, and fell anyway we want to. The world says be yourself, live for yourself, and do not let anyone tell you otherwise. However, those that will become followers of God by Christ know that this mindset cannot be the dominating force in one’s life.  Many individuals claim that message of Jesus Christ was love and that we should not focus on one’s activities but their belief. These things are partially true.

Jesus did come to demonstrate to us the love of God; however, He came to save men from sin. This shows us that there are certain things that God considers immoral or wrong; that is, sin. Jesus came to save us from sins that we will no longer live in sin, regardless of the nature of it. We cannot forget the holiness of God because of the love and mercy He provides to us.

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:2-3 (KJV)

In heaven, the angels that are before the throne of God consistently declare His holiness.  And if God is holy, His desire for us is to be like Him. Reflecting God’s holiness does not rob us of fun or freedom in this life, but it does mean that whatever we do should not be an offense to God. Remember His holiness. As His children, we can reflect His holiness because of the grace, peace, and strength that He provides through the presence of the Holy Spirit.