Ep.1059: You’re a Christian, But Are You Holy?
The meaning of holiness and of being set apart for God’s purpose
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CHAPTERS
Theme Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1
Christianity is confusing. There are so many brands to choose from and so many ways we are shown to express it. For some of us, Christianity is saving the world here and now. For others, it is being charitable and kind. Then there are those who say that following Jesus is for our own personal peace of heart and mind. Still others proclaim that being a Christian is all about being blessed "in basket and in store." The big question with all of these approaches is simple. Where does being “holy” fit in? Let’s take a step further back to basics – what does it even mean to be holy? Unfortunately, a strong biblically-based answer to this question is sadly lacking in the lives of many who follow Christ. While grasping holiness is not an easy task, we fortunately have God’s own word to help us understand!
Holiness in the Bible has a fascinating history. The very first example of someone or something being sanctified (made holy) is right at the very beginning. God creates everything in the first six creative days (incidentally these are NOT literal 24-hour days) and then He proclaims the seventh day as a day of rest. The Bible said He “sanctified” the seventh day, which means he set it apart as “ceremonially clean.” This might seem odd – did God really need to rest? No. Isn’t everything he does already “clean”? Yes. So, why did He do this – what was His point?
God’s reason for this sanctification of the seventh day became evident when he gave Israel the Ten Commandments. The fourth of those commands was to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. God’s point was simple. For His people to be able to always remember Him, He required them to stop everything, sit back and look up. The Sabbath was holy because the day itself was about God. Being set apart did not stop there. God had them perform many rituals and sacrifices to refocus their minds on His role in their nation. So, holiness in the Old Testament was all about being able to come before their Creator in reverence and purity.
When we get to the New Testament there are a lot of changes. The whole approach is different, as there is no longer any focus on sacrifices and rituals. Jesus becomes the clear centerpiece of holiness, not only because he himself is set apart, but because he opens to door for his followers to a new and higher kind of holiness. This actually ends up being really dramatic. The system God had set up and used for thousands of years was now being overridden. What did that all mean? Check out our February 4, 2019 podcast, “You’re a Christian, But Are You Holy?” to find out more. Follow along with us as we uncover who is considered holy and how they get to be that way. Also, find out who is NOT called holy and why. The answers to these questions can change the way you view your own Christianity!
To be holy or to obtain holiness before the true and living GOD, one must be born again. Being born again means a to be regenerated by the HOLY SPIRIT . When one hears the gospel of CHRIST, and trust and believes in his heart, the HOLY SPIRIT REGENERATES HIM BY THE WASHING AND REGENERATION AND RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST. TITUS 3:5. THAT MEANS HE IS FORGIVEN OF ALL HIS SINS (past,present, and future sins) ALL HIS SINS ARE IMPUTED UNTO JESUS CHRIST AND CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS IS IMPUTED UNTO THE BELIEVER. WE ARE AS HOLY AS CHRIST IS , ( that’s our spirit man is regenerated in righteousness and true holiness ) WE ARE GIVEN THE GIFT OF SALVATION, AND ETERNAL LIFE, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND JUSTIFICATION. ONLY OUR SPIRIT IS AS CHRIST IS ,OUR SOUL AND BODY IS STILL SINFUL. SO THAT INDIVIDUAL HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO CONFORM HIS SOUL (mind) TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST. THAT’S SATURATING HIS MIND WITH THE WORD OF GOD.
NOR ONE CAN IMPROVE OR ENHANCE OR MAKE BETTER THE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS GOD HAS DONE IN A BELIEVER ‘S LIFE AT REGENERATION,
OUR SOUL HAS FIVE SENSES WHICH IS OUR MEMORY OUR IMAGINATION OUR REASONING OUR CONSCIENCE AND OUR EMOTIONS . MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT OUR WILL IS IN OUR SOUL, IF THAT IS TRUE . THINK ABOUT THIS, WHEN WE MADE THE DECISION TO TRUST AND BELIEVE IN CHRIST WHERE DID YOU MADE THAT DECISION ,IN OUR HEARTS ,WHICH IS OUR SPIRIT. THE WILL TO MAKE CHOICES AND DECISIONS IS IN OUR HEARTS, BUT WE ALSO MAKE CHOICES AND DECISIONS IN OUR MIND ALSO. BUT TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST THAT MAJOR DECISION COMES FROM OUR HEART ,TO BELIEVE.
Thank you for your comments. Conforming our minds into the image of Christ is difficult but necessary to strive for every day. Have you heard our Episode #1086 “Are Jesus’ Ransom and Our Salvation the Same?” It is along the lines of your comments. It is wonderful to be able to study His word. – Christian Questions