Life Ministries

 “Holiness”
 Colossians 3:1-17;  Romans 6:16-23;  2^nd. Corinthians 7:1;  Hebrews 12:14,

    We are wrapping up this series that I have titled “Becoming A 4-H Christian” - which is a look at the four things that are the “stand out” attributes or characteristics of a Christian. Not our idea of a Christian… but God’s.  They are: “Hopefulness, Helpfulness, Happiness, and Holiness.”  Hopefulness is a look forward. Hopefulness allows us to not only look with assurance and anticipation to the future glory of Christ’s com-ing, and the Rapture, and the wedding supper of the Lamb and the Judgment of rewards, and the eternal reward of heaven…But, also the hope of a better today. A better life, a better family, a better tomorrow, all because of our relationship with God and His Word… But, there’s more:

    The second “H” was “Helpfulness”… Helpfulness is a look around. It is the characteristic of a Christian to always be looking for and listening for ways in which we can obey the Command of Christ to “love one another”. This is an attribute that real Christians have. Always looking to build up rather than tearing down. Always looking to help and not hinder spiritual growth in another. Always willing to come along side and carry another’s burden and help them through a tough time. Real Christians are part of the building crew, not the wrecking crew!
    The third “H” we looked at was “Happiness”… Proverbs 15:13 - “A happy heart makes the face cheerful”.  Happiness is a look inward. If the heart is happy, the face will show it. If our faith and trust in God were based on external happiness, most of us would not be happy or Christian. Our happiness, our joy, our peace, comes from what is happening IN us. We cannot pretend to be happy when we are not. We can’t pre-tend to be joyful when we are hurting. But God’s Word tells us that we can find happiness and joy IN all circumstances, not because of or in spite of, but IN…because we know the one who is in control of all things, and the God of the mountain is still God in the valley, and He will see us through - and even provide a way out. Happiness remember, is a choice. Don’t spend your life searching for the world’s happiness, just look in the mirror and make the choice to be happy…then what’s in your heart will reflect on your face.
    Finally, here we are at the fourth “H” - “Holiness”. In my N.I.V. Bible, the heading for our text says “Rules For Holy Living”…In my Life Application Bible, it says “Principles for Christian Living” There really is no difference in the context of these headings, but there is a difference in our perception of them. Whether it’s in the Bible, or somewhere else, it is easier for us to accept the word “principles” but harder to accept “rules.” It is easier for us to accept “How to be a Christian” than it is to accept “How to be holy”.
    The perception seems to be that of desiring, or trying to lead a Christian life by attempting at least, to follow some of the “principles” put forth in God’s Word. However, when we talk about “Holy living”, we tend to see it as something unattainable and therefore hardly worth trying. That comes from the fact that somehow we equate holiness with absolute perfection…As far as I know, there are only three who are absolutely holy and perfect; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
    In the Bible it speaks of God as being holy; it talks about Jesus being the holy Son of God; and it talks about the work of the Holy Spirit. But, it also talks about holy mountains, holy temples, holy sacrifices, holy cities, and Israel as God’s holy people…None of these were perfect and holy within themselves, they were holy because God’s presence made them holy. They were people, places, and things that were set apart for God.
    The theme that is interwoven through out the New Testament is that “in Christ”, “through Christ”, and “because of Christ”, we are holy in God’s sight. We are set apart for God…We are crucified, justified, and sanctified by God through Christ. Don’t take my word for it…believe God’s Word for it! So, in God’s eyes - if we are really Christians - we are holy in his sight.
    I wish I could say “That’s it…You are holy…you can go home now” but, then we have verses like “Be holy, for I am holy”… In other words, because you are holy…be holy!  Or, “Just as you used to do offer the parts of your body”…(Which parts? Hands, feet, heart, eyes, brain, voice)…”in slavery to impurity and sin…so now offer them in slavery to righteousness - leading to holiness”…“the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life”.
    What about 2^nd. Cor. 7:1 “let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God”?  Hebrews 12:14 - “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy”?  What about all the “Rules For Holy Living” given to us in our text?  It obviously is a call by God to us saying “Because you are holy, because I have made you holy, you must offer yourselves, and do what it takes to seek after, and perfect those things that lead to the holy and righteous life I expect of you!” And, in case you don’t know what they are, here is a partial list of about 20 things you can do – I’ll put them down in Collosians 3… Holiness is not just something to have, holiness is something we must live!
    Someone once said - “Godly talk does not always imply a Godly walk”!  “Painting the pump white does not purify the water”!  God expects every Christian to live a holy life, but the idea of exactly how to be holy has suffered from many false concepts. In fact, they almost always lead to legalism… Holiness is equated with a series of prohibitions; “You should not, you must not, you cannot” If we follow this approach we may be in danger of becoming like the Pharisees with their endless list of rules and regulations and religious “self-righteous” attitude.  To some holiness brings images of “bunned” hair, long skirts, black stockings, no make-up, no jewelry, and several other mannerisms. You know what I’m talking about. Holiness is some kind of mold that we must fit into in order to fit as well into the mold we have created for a Christian! It is unattain-able perfection, don’t even try. God knows the thoughts of your mind, and the emotions and attitudes of your heart, and while you may look holy, God’s wondering if you are ever going to DO anything holy!
    While we keep concerning ourselves with “how”…God is more concerned with “when”.  The true, biblical, concept of holiness involves only three things; to be morally blameless; to be separated from sin; and to be fully consecrated to God.  I will pick up more on that tomorrow.