Holiness: to obey God in everything – perfect obedience
Holiness: having a single focus, an undivided loyalty to God.
The holy life: seeks to fulfill the will of God.
Jesus teaches on the importance of holiness: 1) purity of heart, not the freedom from impure thoughts, is what Jesus notes as most important. The singleness of heart – not divided between the lust of the world and the desires of God. Sin occurs when we give in to evil – ungodly desires and lust. {Matthew 5:8} (Also look at Matthew 6:22-24)
Foundational Texts:
So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the Lord who makes you holy. {Leviticus 20:7}
You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own. {Leviticus 20:26}
Purity of life is entreated:
Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. {2 Corinthians 7:1}
Unity and desire of the Spirit:
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. {Ephesians 4:21-24}
Directives of a holy life:
Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. {Titus 2:2-5}
Persevere in our purpose:
a) For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. {Hebrews 12:10-11}
b) Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. {Hebrews 12:14}
The godly preserve themselves through perseverance in faith and holiness of life. {1 John 2:20}
1) We are called to holiness. {Leviticus 20:7, 26}
2) We have the key to holiness: Jesus: {1 Corinthians 1:30}
3) Chosen to be holy: {Ephesians 1:4}
This empowers us to be holy: to reckon ourselves dead to sin – make the inward decision. We have been elected to holiness. {Romans 6:10-11
4) Power for holiness: the Holy Spirit {Ephesians 1:18-23}
God has chosen us to be holy and He has given us His power to make holiness possible. All we have to do is appropriate it!
