Be Holy

[Dan61861]

What makes us Holy? God does say, be holy, like I am Holy. (Rom 3:20) No flesh is justified by the Law. We cannot make ourselves holy, there is no obedience to the Law that will justify us. Not only does the Bible say, be holy, like I am Holy, Jesus himself said we must be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect. We are all sinners, for it does say all have sinned. We all fall short of the glory of God. So, the question we should be asking is, how do we become Holy, how do we become perfect.

The Gospel message is simple, it is hard for man to grasp its simplicity. We often look to ourselves, there must be something I can do. Yet, no flesh shall please the Lord. We cannot be like God, as Eve thought. Our perfection, our holiness is going to have to come by God, and him alone. As Christ said, with man it is impossible, with God nothing is impossible.

(1 pet 1:13) tells us God’s grace is the revelation of Christ unto us. (Eph 2:8) By God’s grace, He has given us faith in Christ to be saved. So how does God make us holy, like he is holy? (Is 53:11) says the righteous one (Jesus) makes many to be accounted righteous. It is Christ’s righteousness that makes us holy.

(2 Cor 5:21) We are made holy by Christ. We become the righteousness of God. By Christ alone, through faith in His passion. It is true that the righteous shall live by faith. That faith is in Christ. As we believe the good news, Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, He was buried, and He rose the third day, according to the scriptures. (1 Pet 2:24) Christ bore our sins, we are dead to our sins. We live in Christ’s righteousness. We have been healed by His stripes. We have become white as snow.

As (Jer 51:10) says, the Lord hath brought forth our righteousness (Christ)! We are to go throughout the world and proclaim His Gospel. We will call Him, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS! (Jer 23:6 and Jer 33:6). On my own, I have no righteousness. Without Jesus, I will die in my sins. (Philippians 3:9) Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for us. In Him, we become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:22). Christ has washed us clean. In Christ, we have become holy, like he is Holy.

God’s righteousness is by faith in Christ unto all that believe (Rom 3:22). Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God. That ye believe on Him that He hath sent (John 6:29). We are Justified without the Law (Rom 3:28). God’s grace justifies us through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (Rom 3:24). It is God that justifies us, it is God that makes us Holy.

I am crucified with Christ, it is no longer I that live, but Christ who lives in me. I have been reborn, in Christ. No longer under the Law, the law has taught me well. I am a wretched man, in need of a Deliverer. Our redeemers passion is sufficient, God’s grace is sufficient!

Notice it is Christ that has become our WISDOM, our RIGHTESOUSNESS, our SANCTIFICATION, and our REDEMTION. 1 Cor 1:30.

In Christ
Daniel

 

[1watchman]

A true "born again" believer in Jesus Christ has a holy standing before God as a "child of God", but God exhorts such a one to be holy in our spiritual state. That is important to discern ---not living in the flesh.

 

[alex2165]

Same thing can be said about righteousness. Many verses in the Bible indicates that we can be righteous in the Lord, but other passages seems like contradicts this notion. But in actuality there is not any contradiction concerning holiness or righteousness of the human beings, because indeed, we can be holy and righteous before GOD and other people on our own human level, not comparing our holiness and righteousness to GOD’S holiness and righteousness.


This particular issue confuse a lot of Christians, but if look closely on all scriptures concerning holiness and righteousness of mortal human beings (Christians), it became very evident that all those passages talking about only human holiness and righteousness and not about GOD’s, because GOD is perfect in these qualities and undisputed in it.


So, how Christians can be holy and righteous before GOD? I found the answer in many different places of the Bible, particularly in Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and some in Job, but in general they are widely spread all over entire Bible, and can be found almost in every Book of the Bible.


Obedience and execution of all commandments, statutes, and principals of the Lord and implementing them in our lives as they have been given and directed to us by our GOD, such implementation and principal holding GOD’S directives, will make every true Christian holy and righteous in the eyes of GOD.


We not have to move mountains to be holy and righteous before GOD or do something impossible, but only obey and follow His holy and righteous principals and ideals and not be the hypocrites in our faith in Him, and this would make us holy and righteous before our Lord as humanly possible.


He known our weaknesses and our sins, but those who try hard to follow His commandments and statutes, He reward with holiness and righteousness and blessings according to our level of faith and dedication to Him.


So, my point is, follow exactly His ordinances and obey His Word, and surely enough you will be righteous and holy in His eyes, not necessarily in the eyes of the people, but in His Own eyes you will achieve this level of human perfection.


Alex

 

[Dan61861]

A true "born again" believer in Jesus Christ has a holy standing before God as a "child of God", but God exhorts such a one to be holy in our spiritual state. That is important to discern ---not living in the flesh.

My friend, Can you expound on this a little? Many would ask, how do you live in the spirit, not in the flesh.

In Christ
Daniel

 

[1watchman]

A true "born again" believer is indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit and is thus in holiness ---meaning he/she is made holy in standing before God by true faith in Christ ---a personal relationship and surrender of our will. Holiness is defined as that which "is pure and abhors evil" (all that is contrary to God). The true believer needs to live in the Spirit by giving the Lord "the preeminence " in all things and always seeking to honor God in all that one thinks, says, or does. Yes, we fail in this because of our flesh, but saints of God are given a remedy in 1 Jn. 1:9-10. God looks on the heart and knows our true spirit. Does one love the Lord, or just trying to follow His teachings? We need to understand this difference.

 

[Free at Calvary]

Obedience and execution of all commandments, statutes, and principals of the Lord and implementing them in our lives as they have been given and directed to us by our GOD, such implementation and principal holding GOD’S directives, will make every true Christian holy and righteous in the eyes of GOD.

Holiness to me is being undefiled. It's both given and maintained in Christ.

Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

 

[1watchman]

Holiness to me is being undefiled. It's both given and maintained in Christ.
Yes, it is given to true "born again" believers, and is maintained by faithfulness of a saint to Jesus Christ ---and the power of the Spirit.

Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

The thought of Isaiah is also true today.

 

[Dan61861]

One of the first shadows of Christ we see in the Old Testament is God providing a covering for Adam and Eve. They had covered their sin with fig leafs, God provided a sacrifice and covered them. Today, Christ is that covering, He is our sacrifice for sin. Our own righteousness is as filthy rags, we are sinners. It is Christ’s righteousness that is upon us. Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:. We are conformed unto his death as the next verse says.

Christ has been made sin for us, in order that we become the righteousness of God in Christ. Rom 5:21. It is Christ and His passion that has made us righteous. Our hope is in His works, his righteousness. What great hope we have, for God is merciful. We were all made sinners by one man, we are made righteous by One…Christ our Lord. Rom 5:19.

We do not walk after the flesh, we walk after the Spirit. Our salvation isn’t dependent on what we do in the flesh. Our salvation is dependent on what Christ did on the Cross. We look to the cross and the cross alone for our deliverance. Rom 8:3-4 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The Law is righteous, Christ has fulfilled the Law. We are in Him, His righteousness is upon us.

Glory Be to God, the most High!

In Christ

Daniel

 

[stmitche74]

A true "born again" believer is indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit and is thus in holiness ---meaning he/she is made holy in standing before God by true faith in Christ ---a personal relationship and surrender of our will. Holiness is defined as that which "is pure and abhors evil" (all that is contrary to God). The true believer needs to live in the Spirit by giving the Lord "the preeminence " in all things and always seeking to honor God in all that one thinks, says, or does. Yes, we fail in this because of our flesh, but saints of God are given a remedy in 1 Jn. 1:9-10. God looks on the heart and knows our true spirit. Does one love the Lord, or just trying to follow His teachings? We need to understand this difference.

Amen!

 

[joshuanazar]

Same thing can be said about righteousness. Many verses in the Bible indicates that we can be righteous in the Lord, but other passages seems like contradicts this notion. But in actuality there is not any contradiction concerning holiness or righteousness of the human beings, because indeed, we can be holy and righteous before GOD and other people on our own human level, not comparing our holiness and righteousness to GOD’S holiness and righteousness.


This particular issue confuse a lot of Christians, but if look closely on all scriptures concerning holiness and righteousness of mortal human beings (Christians), it became very evident that all those passages talking about only human holiness and righteousness and not about GOD’s, because GOD is perfect in these qualities and undisputed in it.


So, how Christians can be holy and righteous before GOD? I found the answer in many different places of the Bible, particularly in Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and some in Job, but in general they are widely spread all over entire Bible, and can be found almost in every Book of the Bible.


Obedience and execution of all commandments, statutes, and principals of the Lord and implementing them in our lives as they have been given and directed to us by our GOD, such implementation and principal holding GOD’S directives, will make every true Christian holy and righteous in the eyes of GOD.


We not have to move mountains to be holy and righteous before GOD or do something impossible, but only obey and follow His holy and righteous principals and ideals and not be the hypocrites in our faith in Him, and this would make us holy and righteous before our Lord as humanly possible.


He known our weaknesses and our sins, but those who try hard to follow His commandments and statutes, He reward with holiness and righteousness and blessings according to our level of faith and dedication to Him.


So, my point is, follow exactly His ordinances and obey His Word, and surely enough you will be righteous and holy in His eyes, not necessarily in the eyes of the people, but in His Own eyes you will achieve this level of human perfection.


Alex

What you are asking is impossible. If we were able to follow exactly his ordinances and obey his word, then we would never have needed Jesus to do it for us. Holiness, righteousness, and blessings isn't a reward for us trying hard. That would mean that righteousness can be bought with our own effort, which our effort is never good enough. The reality is that we are holy simply because God sees us as holy. It is not about our actions, focusing on our actions is what separated us from our father in the first place. Adam took his focus off God and focused on himself and instead of seeing himself the way God saw him he saw his imperfection and was ashamed. The only actions that can make us holy and righteous are Jesus' actions on the cross.

Also, did you notice that all of the places that you said gave you the answer are from the old testament? Paul explains that there is a reason we need a new covenant.

 

[alex2165]

To Johuanazar


I do not want to argue with you about this subject of holiness, because you have your own idea about the issue, and you did not presented anything to prove your own words.


On the other hand I would like to show you only few passages out of many there undeniably indicated that human beings can be holy and righteous in the eyes of the Lord according to His standards and Statutes He had given to us.



Leviticus 11.44-45


Holiness of the Lord and His People.


44."I am the Lord your GOD,sanctify yourselves, thereforeand be holy, I am Holy.You shall not define yourselves with any swarming creature that moves on the Earth.

45.For I am the Lord Who brought you up from the land ofEgyptto be your GOD,you shall be holy, for I am Holy."



Leviticus 19.2

2."Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them:'You shall be holy, for I the Lord your GOD, am Holy."


Leviticus 20.7-26


Holiness of the Lord and His People.


7."Concecrate yourselves, thereforeand be holly.I am the Lord your GOD.

26.You shall be holy to Me. I am the Lord holy,and I have separated you from the other peoples to be Mine."



Numbers 6.5.8


Holiness of the Nazirite.


5."All the days of their nazirite vow no razor shall come upon the head, until the time is completed for which theyseparate themselves to the Lord,they shall be holy,they shall let the locks of the head grow long.

8.All their days as naziritesthey are holy to the Lord."



Numbers 15.40


Holiness comes from observing the Commandments of the Lord.


40."So you shall remember and do all My Commandments,and you shall be holy to your GOD.



Deuteronomy 7.6

6.You are a people holy to the Lord your GOD, the Lord your GOD has chosen you out of all the peoples on Earth to be His people, His treasured possession.



Deuteronomy 14.2.21

2You are a people holy to the Lord your GOD,it is you the Lord has chosen out of all the peoples on Earth to be His people, His treasured possession.

21.You shall not eat anything that dies of itself, you may give it to aliens residing in your towns for them to eat, or you may sell it to a foreigner.You are a people holy to the Lord your GOD.You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk.



2Chronicles 31.18


During restoration of the service in the Temple by Hezekiah, 13th king of Judah, and appointment of the Levites and the priests to their duties in the house of the Lord, for those who are enrolled in it.


18.The priests were enrolled with all their little children, their wives, their sons and their daughters, the whole multitude,they were faithfulin keeping themselves holy.



To Romans 12.1

1.I appeal to you, therefore brothers and sisters by the mercies of GOD to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to GOD, which is your spiritual worship.


First Corinthians 7.14

14.The unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise you children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.


To Ephesians 1.4

4.just as He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him in love.


To Colossians 1.22

22.He has reconcile in His fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before Him,


First Peter 1.15-16

15.Instead as He Who called you is Holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct,

16.it is written: ‘You shall be holy for I am Holy.’ (Leviticus 11.44, 19.2, 20.7)



Revelation of John 20.6

6.Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of GOD and of Christ, and they will reign with Him a thousand years.


Alex

 

[joshuanazar]

My issue wasn't about whether we can be holy or not. I know that we are. My issue was with working to obtain holiness. As with everything from God, we cannot earn it or deserve it. It must be given to us by grace.

 

[Dan61861]

My righteousness has gained me nothing! I will praise Him and call Him...the Lord our Righteousness!

In Christ
Daniel

 

[joshuanazar]

amen