Holiness....

Holiness is a word that has been permeating my prayer time, my wandering thoughts, and some conversations as of late.  I think any follower of Christ spends a good amount of time thinking about holiness....how to cultivate holiness in our lives through the Spirit...and so on.
There is sort of this attitude toward holiness that I have noticed lately in the world.  The idea that those seeking it are somehow controlled by rules or legalism.   I have heard a few people say things like " I feel sorry for you because you CAN'T go to that movie", or I feel bad for you because you CAN'T listen to this joke, or that's too bad you CAN'T just blow up and yell you would feel better, man it must suck that you CAN'T spend your money that way....and the list goes on.  I often see people looking at my, or someone elses, attempt to cultivate holiness, with absolute pity..  The thing is that I find myself WANTING  to make these changes/decisions. I am no longer a slave to my sin like I used to be... Its joyful and freeing....its obedience.

First, I want to start by saying that holiness is a Biblical command.  Its in scripture ALOT.  We serve a completely holy God, and it is because of the fact we can never achieve holiness on our own that Christ came and died in our place.  He is perfect, He lived a perfect sinless life, and died to end my separation from God due to my sin.  A perfect holy God can't be in the presence of sin, but instead of saying "earn holiness, do a lot of good things and hope I am in a good mood the day you die and then we might can have eternity together"....He said " For the wages of your sin, Holly, is death but I am giving you eternal life in my Son Jesus.  All of my children have sinned, Holly, even you, and you fall short on your own, but you can righteousness through my son, Jesus, through faith in Him you are justified freely by my grace and you are bought back (redeemed) to me, my daughter, where you belong" (My paraphrase of some verses in Romans).   Here is the Lord's command:  "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God".  2 Corinthians 7:1

So its true and wonderful that Christ died while I was dead in my sin....He doesn't wait for us to become holy... He gives grace as an outpouring of His love...and transforms us into His likeness


Second,  growing in holiness is part of the sanctification process that all followers of Christ pursue.

"who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood" 1Peter 1:2

We have been chosen and drawn to God by His Spirit and we are being sanctified daily by the Spirit...it is His work in us.  Our pursuit or motive in sanctification is clear too...."being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" 2 Corinthians 3:18

Third, we will never reach perfect holiness.  This is true! But it doesn't give followers of Christ an out.  This is why its called a "process".  Everyday we wake willed to draw breath by God and everyday there is purpose...to bring Him glory.  Sanctifying ourselves brings Him glory.  We don't have to be perfect, His blood covers all sin, but He didn't die for me so I could live for me and indulge my flesh.  He died so I could be forgiven and I no longer live He lives in me.  Because of this my choices will change, my words will change, my motives will change, my actions will change, my spending habits will change, my joy will increase!!

I am writing this because this word, holiness, is in the forefront of my mind and there is so much I still need to learn.  I am excited to learn it.....right now what I have learned is that holiness is part of being sanctified and that Lord Himself will do this work.  Its a hard process for me.  I fail daily....I failed at this yesterday.  I am having to make choices, that used to feel comfortable to my flesh, but these same choices in the light of Jesus' holiness are things I want to say no to.  I said I WANT to .....I want to be sanctified ....I want to cultivate holiness.  I would encourage all you ladies on this same road to hold firm.  Seek holiness and love the Lord...He will finish this work- and remember He gives greater grace...we will never get it all right.

"May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it"  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24