Holiness

Holiness

What is it? Can we attain it?

November 8, 2009

Introduction

Holiness! A word misunderstood by many. So what do we do with Holiness? Is it something that doesn’t matter? Is it something we cannot attain? What is holiness anyway?

Before we go further, let’s answer one question: Is it important? Does it really matter? Let’s consider Hebrews 12:14:

(Heb 12:14 NKJV) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:” If that isn’t clear for some, let’s consider the NIV: (Heb 12:14 NIV) Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

So I hope it’s clear that holiness is an essential part of the Christian life. We need to understand what it is and what it isn’t.

Body

I. What is holiness?

Let me misspell it: Whollyness.
That is part of holiness. – It’s all of you belonging to God.

(Mat 22:37 NKJV) Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

It is what God expects us to be.

(1 Pet 2:5 NKJV) you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

II. Are we expected to be holy?

A. We are told to be holy.

(Eph 1:3-4 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, {4} just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

B. God is holy, and we are to be holy.

(1 Pet 1:15-16 NKJV) but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, {16} because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

1. We are to be different from those around us.

(Lev 20:26 NKJV) 'And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.

2. We are to be different in life and conduct from those of the world.

C. We are made holy by the blood of Christ.

(Eph 5:25-27 NKJV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, {26} that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, {27} that He might present her to Himself a glorious church,. not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish

D. We are to be able to lift up holy hands.

(1 Tim 2:8 NKJV) I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

1. Can we have holy hands?

2. Yes, in Christ we can have holy hands

(1 John 1:6-7 NKJV) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. {7} But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

E. We are to be a holy nation.

(1 Pet 2:9 NKJV) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

III. What does holiness mean to you?

A. It does mean that we need to be pure in heart and life.

(Mat 5:8 NKJV) Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

1. We are told to cleanse our hands.

(James 4:8-10 NKJV) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. {9} Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. {10} Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

2. I does mean that we are to be dedicated to God.

B. It does not mean that we will be perfect.

(1 John 1:7-10 NKJV) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. {8} If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. {10} If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

C. It does not mean that we are charismatic.

Conclusion

We began our study with this thought:

(Heb 12:14 NKJV) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:”

Close to that is this thought:

(1 Pet 1:15-16 NKJV) but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, {16} because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

Are you a holy person?

Is there something you need to make right in your lfie?

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