Wed 2/7- Is Holiness An Option?

Hebrews 12:14 NLT

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

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Holiness—chief attribute of God and a quality to be developed in his people. Primary OT word for holiness means “to cut” or “to separate”. Cutting off or separation from what is unclean. (Baker Encyclopedia)

Sanctification- the New Hampshire Baptist Confession (1833) states,

“We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; it begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means—especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer”.

One more element in the definition requires comment, namely, the statement that “we are made partakers of his holiness.” A complete survey of what the Bible has to say about sanctification is not possible here, since practically the whole of Scripture addresses this issue in one way or another. One central theme in that teaching, however, must be emphasized: “You shall be holy as I am holy” (

Leviticus 11:45 KJV 1900

For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

; ; cf. ).

1 Peter 1:16 KJV 1900

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

; cf. ).

Matthew 5:48 KJV 1900

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

; cf. ).

According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), by sanctification “we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God” (Question 34; see ). Nothing can be more crucial to our view of sanctification than this truth.

The standard of holiness is complete conformity to Christ’s image

Romans 8:29 KJV 1900

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

anything less than that is a lowering of the scriptural standard and thus a dilution of the doctrine. The definition above, however, implies that Christ is more than our pattern: he himself provides his holiness for those united with him—he is our sanctification --().

1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV 1900

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

anything less than that is a lowering of the scriptural standard and thus a dilution of the doctrine. The definition above, however, implies that Christ is more than our pattern: he himself provides his holiness for those united with him—he is our sanctification ().

1

Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Sanctification. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, pp. 1898–1899). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Answer:

The best Christian can never in themselves merit salvation through personal holiness.

-Our deeds are like filthy garments—

Isaiah 64:6 NLT

6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Our best works are stained and polluted with imperfection and sin.

Scripture refers to the obedience and righteousness of Christ on our behalf.

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Romans 5:19 KJV 1900

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

1 Peter 3:18 NLT

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

—Active obedience means Christ’s sinless life here on earth—His perfect obedience and absolute holiness. This perfect life is credited to those who trust in Him for their salvation.

—Passive obedience—refers to Christ’s death on the cross through which He fully paid the penalty for our sins and dealt with God’s wrath toward us.

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Hebrews 10:5–10 NLT

5 That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. 6 You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. 7 Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about me in the Scriptures.’ ” 8 First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). 9 Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. 10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

Our holiness before God depends entirely on the work of Jesus Christ for us, by God’s will.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 NLT

God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

1 Corinthians 1:2 NLT

I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

So, the writer of Hebrews is telling us to take seriously the necessity of Personal, Practical holiness!

When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives at our salvation, He comes to make us holy.

Ephesians 1:4 KJV 1900

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

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Holiness is not necessary as a condition of salvation—that would be salvation by works—BUT as a PART of salvation that is received by faith in Christ.

Titus 2:11–12 NLT

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,

If Holiness is an Option…Salvation is a Fake!

Wed 2/7- Is Holiness An Option?

Does our salvation depend on our attaining some level of holiness?