Introduction: One of the most difficult Bible doctrines to understand is holiness. This is because God is holy and we are not. Holiness is not something that you do or that you don’t do. Holiness is a possession more than a practice. You cannot be holy by trying.
However, if God wants to emphasize anything. He will repeat it. The scriptures did not say that God is love, love, love but God is holy, holy, holy.
1 Pet. 1:15,16 – When God commands us to be something we usually attempt to do it, only to fail within ourselves. The focus is His Holiness. (1 Cor. 7:1)
A. WHAT IS NOT HOLINESS?
1. Holiness is not hardness.
Some people think that they are holy because they are opposed to everything.
2. Holiness is not haughtiness.
Some people think that they are holy because they are better in their behaviour than others.
3. Holiness is not unhappiness.
Some people think that they are holy because they are miserable. Preachers to be holy they must be miserable and poor. “As poor (hungry) as the church mouse” European church buildings in the 17th century and earlier did not store or provide food.
Holiness is not what you do, the places that you go, or what you eat or drink. These actions are the result of whether you are holy or not. Holiness is what you are.
B. WHAT IS HOLINESS?
Since God is thrice holy and it is impossible to explain God’s holiness. Holiness speaks of God’s moral excellence or transcendence. The dictionary defines holiness speaks God’s moral excellence or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience.”
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” It’s not the doing but the being.
Remember that is not a holy life that we try to live. That is a holy life that He has called us to and given us in Christ before the foundation of the world. When He said “Be holy as I am holy” – He never meant try to be as holy as Jesus. That is impossible for mankind to be as holy as God. God never said be holy with your own holiness. He said “Be holy as I am holy - With MY holiness!
Holiness is a possession more than a practice. You cannot be holy by trying. God’s holiness is his nature. Abide in Me. By abiding you receive the fruit of the Spirit.
(v9); “Who has saved us and called us to a holy life” – that’s His holiness. “Not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus who has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”. This grace was given us in Christ before time began!
Grace produces holiness! One of the fruits of grace is holiness, which isn't discussed much in our churches these days. I believe there are two reasons for this. Legalistic preachers have abused many who truly want to please God. These zealots have reduced holiness to a backward lifestyle and taken the joy out of living.
Jesus is full of grace! Then Its Jesus grace that produces the fruit of holiness and power. (Titus 2:11-12)
(Notes are collected for sharing and exhortation only.)
