Category: Holiness

The sermon uses the text of 1 Peter 1:13-16 to make the point that Holiness begins with the mind of man. As we gird up the loins of our mind, rest our hope on the grace of God, and determine to leave the lustful thoughts of the past, we are able to present ourselves as holy unto God.

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In his epistle to the Philippian church, Paul identifies himself and Timothy as “bondservants of Jesus Christ.” The term is from the Greek doulos, and indicates subservience and submission. They were slaves to Christ. On another occasion, Paul wrote, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). Their purpose was to please Christ, and Him alone.

In the same text, Paul identified the Philippians as “saints.” The Greek word is hagios, and indicates holiness and consecration. The Philippian brethren had been separated by Christ to live righteously before Him. This call to holy living is a call Jehovah has always made to His people, “For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44).

Every Christian should consider himself a slave to Christ. Emulating Paul’s example, he should consider his standing with God a call to holy living. In so doing we please Him, and secure for ourselves the hope of heaven.

Using Peter’s first epistle, this sermon describes an aspect of God’s call to Christians. We are to be holy in all our conduct.

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I recently came across two quotes on the subject of Holiness, which I would like to share with you…

“A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine.” – D. L. Moody

“How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets real thing, it is irresistible.” – C.S. Lewis

One quote expresses the true thought that actions speak louder than words. While we are told to preach the gospel, our words have a greater potency is God can be seen in us.

The second quote accurately portrays the fact that a Christian is a desirable and pleasant person to know. He is who we all aspire to be. Are you living a properly holy life?

Colossians 1:1-2

Even in Paul’s short greetings much can be learned. Here he succinctly defends his apostleship, saying he obtained his office “by the will of God.” For a more complete defense, see Galatians 1:10-20.

He identifies his fellow worker Timothy, his “son in the faith” (cf. 1 Timothy 1:2), and then immediately identifies his readers as “saints” and “faithful brethren in Christ.”

The word saint refers to one who has been “set apart”; in this case, from the world by God. The word indicates not only a privileged status with God, but also is a call to holy living. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). The second phrase also indicates their holiness as he specifies that they were faithful brethren.

His greeting is a blessing upon them. Grace and Peace to them from God and His Son. Grace refers to the unmerited act of redemption that God supplied to man in the death of His Son. Peace refers to the well-being that is the result of that gift. The greeting is very concise, but was full of meaning to the Colossians, and is to God’s children today as well!

1 Peter 1:13-16

Whenever the word “therefore” is used to begin a passage of scripture, it is necessary to refer to previous verses to obtain a context.

In verses 3-12 of 1 Peter 1, the apostle wrote eloquently concerning the salvation and eternal reward we receive through the “sufferings of Christ.”

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind…” Peter’s exhortations to dligence and holy living in verses 13-16 are in response to the hope we have in Christ (cf. Titus 2:11-12).

It is also because of the holiness of God Himself. When God requires holiness of His people, it is not an arbitrary thing.

God is perfect in His holiness. James states that, “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone” (1:13).

As God is holy, and cannot countenance evil, it is required of his people that they be holy in all of their conduct as well. You can’t court the world and serve God!

Sermon by Guest Speaker Joshua Cox. Christians are to shine as lights in the world. This indicates that the Christian’s influence, shown in various aspects of his life as lived for God, should serve to give glory to God and influence others for good.

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Podcast Number 54

Young men want to marry young ladies who have kept themselves pure, and are modest. Young men then, should respect young ladies, and not take advantage of them. Too, young ladies must respect themselves, and keep themselves pure.

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AOTS Number 14

Scripture reveals that true and lasting beauty is acquired, not inherited. It is also an inner rather than outer beauty, developed by a faithful and righteous woman.

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Romans 6 establishes that the Grace of God is not a license to sin. The child of God, who has died to sin and been raised to walk in newness of life, must become a slave to righteousness.

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Podcast Number 29

The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 7:1 admonishes Christians to purify themselves from filthiness,
and perfect holiness. This lesson describes and explains how this can be accomplished.

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A couple of weeks ago two events happened on the same day, that represented the best and worst of our society.

First, former pro golfer Byron Nelson passed away from natural causes after having led a long and eventful life. Second, Dallas Cowboy wide receiver Terrell Owens was admitted to the hospital after overdosing on pain medication.

Continue reading “In The News: T.O. & Lord Byron” →

• (Note: This article was written in reference to a sermon on Sanctification which had as its application the necessity of a child of God, who has been sanctified by God, to live a life of consecration and holiness. SC)

My sermon last Sunday morning, on Sanctification, was very well received. I appreciate so much the willingness of all to listen carefully, and receive the words spoken. There are many places where such a lesson would not have been well received. The brethren here are to be commended when they hear the truth, and respond so well.

What I speak of is initial response. No doubt the principles established from God’s word touched a cord in many hearts. Continue reading “The Call to Holiness” →

The Hebrew word which is translated holiness in our English Bible is defined as, “A sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity…” (Strong’s). As such, it generally denotes something that is set apart from sinfulness. In effect, if a thing is holy it is sanctified, pure, whole. The term is used with reference to both God and man. Notice the following:

The Holiness of God

Holiness is an attribute of God. In God alone is holiness complete. When we speak of the holiness of God, we are referring to the fact that He is completely separate from evil. There is no sin in God. He is wholly good. There are many passages which affirm the holiness of God. Exodus 15:11, “Who {is} like You, O Lord, among the gods? who {is} like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Psalm 99:9, “Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the Lord our God {is} holy.” Psalms 111:9, “He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome {is} His name.” Truly, God is the epitome of holiness.

The Holiness of Man

When we speak of holiness with regard to any man, we recognize that the attribute is not complete in man. In other words, no man is wholly good. We read from Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Notice the following from Unger’s Bible Dictionary, page 495, “…(4) Holiness, so far as it appears in man anywhere, is an outcome of God’s gracious work in salvation, and yet not without the proper exertion of one’s own free will, and the putting forth of strenuous effort (Eph. 4:22,24).”

The passage referenced by Unger is very revealing. Paul writes, “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). We must realize that we are saved by the grace of God. However, that salvation and resulting holiness is available only as we “put off” the old man, and “put on” the new man.

If we really apply ourselves, it is possible to attain a high degree of holiness in this life. “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). It takes dedication and effort, but it is possible for us to maintain our purity and be sanctified, even in the midst of an ungodly and hostile world.

In fact, God demands that we strive to be holy. Too often Christians are willing to embrace certain worldly influences, and in so doing compromise their holiness. Immodest dress, immoral hobbies, and ungodly associations all adversely affect our claim to holiness. Remember the solemn warning of scripture, “Pursue peace with all {men}, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:” (Hebrews 12:14).

While reading Unger’s Bible Handbook, concerning the rise and history of the Catholic church, I came across this short quote on page 904.

Rise of Monasticism. It began in Egypt with Paul of Thebes and Anthony about A.D. 250, and spread throughout the empire. Their aim was holiness by isolation from the world. In Europe monks lived in monasteries and in the Middle Ages developed education, learning, literature and farming.

This philosophy of obtaining holiness by isolating yourself from the world is an understandable, if misguided reaction to such exhortations as James’ “…keep oneself unspotted from the world” (cf. James 1:27), and John’s “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (cf. 1 John 2:15).

Continue reading “Holiness by Isolation” →