![]() Why holiness important and importance of its pursuit So, in this life they won't be sinless, but walking by the Spirit they should sin less and less. But we should note that though one strives diligently towards absolute perfection this side of heaven they will never fully reach it – they still need grace in all areas of their life (1 John 1:8-10). A point worth noting however is that holiness is a result of inward transformation by the Holy Spirit rather than works of human effort or ingenuity as some attempt to do (Ephesians 2:8-10). In short, a holy person is someone who is more like God. To that extent that the Christian applies themselves to godly things and the means of grace, to that extent they will grow in holiness. Progressive holiness entails Christians consciously and diligently work out their salvation synergistically with the Holy Spirit (Phil 2:12-13) as He works in their lives daily sanctifying them. ![]() They carry Bibles in their hands but probably have not Christ in their hearts. It is a curious fact that several people lay claim to Christ but alas, their lives fall short of their profession. ![]() To be 'holy', then, is to be separated (or 'cut off from') from sin and, thus consecrated to God. This means that the moment that someone flies to Christ for refuge, they suddenly resolve to fight sin to the bitter end, 'until they breathe their last', as someone has aptly coined the phrase. Mark my words "true Christian", not any hypocrite. This is the moral standard that every true Christian has to strive after (Ryle 1968). The second is progressive holiness which our text (Hebrews 12:14) highlights. The Christian then is sanctified for holy use by God and thus called living 'saints', not dead (Ephesians 1 1b Romans 1:7 I Corinthians 1:2 2 Corinthians 1: 1b Philippians 1 1 etc.). Their best physical good works are as filthy rags before God's eyes (Isaiah 64:6). All their good works such as church attendance, alms giving among others are futile before the Ancient of Days. This positional holiness implies that anyone who has never truly turned from sin is still under God's condemnation (John 3:18). The moment that person is converted from a life of sin having believed in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation through faith and not works, at that moment, God declares them righteous and sets them apart. regenerated Titus 3:5-7 I Corinthians 6:11 2 Corinthians 5:17). This is the state in which all the Christians are when they become born again (i.e. The first, as suggested by others such as Bonar is what is known as positional holiness (Bonar, 1864). It is known that theologically, the word 'Holiness' (GK: hagiasmos as in ' sanctification' Heb: Qadash) can be viewed at least in a two-fold sense. What Holiness is and why it should be pursued It certainly deserves attention than it generally does in present times. Yet Holiness is very much a Scriptural idea. ![]() To others, the idea is associated with a bigotry-like "holier than thou" attitude. Images like toe touching long skirts, old thread bare and badly bleached clothes, dangerously depreciated tilted shoes and long brittle wire-like kinky hair immediately come to the post-modern globally minded liberal Christian's mind. The very word "Holiness" generates graphic images of being old fashioned, reclusive, back ward and fossilised (Ryle 1968). To some, any "Holiness talk" sounds archaic. Several reactions naturally come to the fore though at least two definitely will rear their heads. In some sense, 'Holiness' is treated like a beggar meddling with our pockets. Our lot is cast in extremely dynamic times in where any talk about 'Holiness' is viewed with suspicion and to some extent treated as repugnant to some people. In many senses, I am indebted to the late good old Bishop of Liverpool, John Charles Ryle (1816-1900) whose monumental work continues to echo and help many of us over a century after his passing into glory. For a deeper treatment of its root meaning from the Old Testament, we recommend a reading of Dr. This paper discusses practical aspects of 'Holiness' rather than its root meaning. It is a vital subject which deserves far more attention than it receives in our times. Volume 21, Number 40, September 29 to October 5, 2019īilly Sichone "Pursue holiness without which no man shall see the Lord" Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)Īs I put pen to paper, I am fully conscious of the difficulty that meets us when dealing with this crucial topic of "Holiness". Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.He Gave Us Scripture: Foundations of Interpretation.Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology.Kingdom, Covenants & Canon of the Old Testament.Kingdom & Covenant in the New Testament.
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