HOLINESS IN CHRISTIANS

By BOB MYHAN

Introduction: “Without [holiness] no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). The root meaning of the word translated “holy” is “different,” “set apart.”  The Sabbath Day was holy to the Jews in that it was different from every other day, and the temple was holy because it was different from every other building.  Likewise, the Christian is to be holy in that he is to be different from those who are not Christians.  Let us consider three aspects of this important subject.

TIME FOR HOLINESS (1 Peter 1:15)

A.In dealing with the world (i.e., that sphere of lust and disobedience controlled by Satan) on a social level, the Christian is to:

1. Be transformed rather than conformed to the world (Rom. 12:1,2). Modesty, e.g.

2. Keep himself unspotted (James 1:27).  Smoking, drinking, cursing, etc.

3. Refrain from making friends of it (James 4:4).

B.In dealing with the world on a business level, the Christian is to be:

1. Honest (Rom. 12:17).

2. Industrious (Eph 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10).

C.   In recreation, the Christian is to be different.

1. God gives all things for enjoyment (1 Tim. 6:17; but see James 4:3).

2. Bodily exercise is profitable (1 Tim. 4:8). 

3. There is a time for rest and relaxation (Mark 6:30,31).

4. Godly principles must be remembered (1 Tim. 4:8).

a.  Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).

b.  What we do influences others (Matt. 5:14,15).

c.  Lasciviousness should never characterize a child of God (Co1. 3:5; 1 Thess. 5.22).

d.  “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Cor. 15:33).

PATTERN FOR HOLINESS (1 Peter 1:16)

A.Imitation is considered the highest form of praise.

1. Boys and girls imitate their parents by dressing up in their parents’ clothes.

2. People often imitate their friends and/or heroes.

B.The Christian is to imitate God (Eph. 5:1).

C.                   The Christian does this when he follows the example of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:21; John 14:9).

MOTIVATION FOR HOLINESS (Rom. 13:11-14)

A.The Christian should live in view of the Lord's promised return (1 Peter 1:13).

1. This will lead to "spotlessness” and “blamelessness”(2 Peter 3:11-14).

2. The Christian is to “watch” for the Lord’s coming by being prepared (Matt. 24:42-44).

B.The Christian knows that he must stand before God in judgment (1 Peter 1:17; 4:5).

1. Everyone will give account for the things done in the body (2 Cor. 5:10).

2. God shall judge man in righteousness (Acts 17 30,31).

C.   The Christian should live in gratitude for the death of Christ (1 Peter 1:18,19).

1. The Lord died that men might be different (Titus 2:11-14).

2. “When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.”

Conclusion: An individual is not made holy by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit, but by the call of the gospel.  He must answer this call by coming out and being separate (2 Cor. 6:17).  In spite of the pressure to conform, God’s people must be different!