Holiness
Consecration:
Consecration. Separation of persons, utensils, buildings, or places from everyday secular uses for exclusive dedication to holy or sacred use. In the Bible consecration was effected through an appropriate rite or vow. Hebrew expressions imply “separation” (Ex 13:2; Lv 8:10–12; Dt 15:19), “dedication” (Lv 21:12; Nm 6:9), or “ordination” (literally, “filling the hand,” Ex 28:41; 1 Kgs 13:33). NT references are fewer, but they frequently connote the idea of holiness (Jn 10:36; 1 Cor 7:14; 1 Tm 4:5).
In church usage, especially among hierarchical denominations, the term describes solemn rites that establish a bishop or other official in his office. It is also used to describe dedication of shrines, reliquaries, cathedrals, elements of the Mass, and lesser objects or buildings set aside for ecclesiastical functions.
Protestant teaching stresses the priesthood of every believer. Thus all Christians are “saints” (from the same root word as “consecration”), that is, devoted to God for life. In Roman Catholic doctrine the church consecrates (canonizes) great Christians as saints after they have died.
Consecration is significant in relation both to God and to the world. The apostle Paul spells out the term’s Godward meaning in Romans 12:1, 2. Its importance in relation to people and things is a basic theme of the apostle Peter’s first letter. In everyday life each Christian is meant to live out a “holy” and “royal” priesthood for God’s glory (1 Pt 2:9).
Christians consider the consecration of one’s own personality by the work of the Holy Spirit to be an important mark of spiritual maturity.
Holiness, in the absolute sense of separateness and moral and ethical excellence, is the attribute of the Lord God alone (Exod. 15:11; Lev. 20:3). For people to be consecrated they must be “set aside” to God and “be holy”; that is, reflect God’s moral and ethical character.
16. THE HOLINESS OF GOD
“… Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”—Revelation 4:8.
“… Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.”
—Leviticus 19:2
God is holy! He is perfect! God could not look upon Jesus when He was dying on the cross. Christ had all the sins of the world upon Him. God cannot stand sin. Man tries to “bring God down to their level.” But God wants people to “come up to His level” of holiness. Peter tells us, “Be ye holy; for I am holy”—1 Peter 1:16.
I. HIS PERSONALITY IS HOLY
A. Perfect—Hebrews 5:9. Christ was made perfect. Both God and Christ had no beginning and will have no end. Man has sought to find fault in Him and His Word, but can find none.
B. Personality—Isaiah 6:1–8. Isaiah saw the holiness of the Lord. Notice Isaiah’s words, “I am undone.” When we see how holy God is, we will see how unholy we are!
C. Position—Psalm 24:3. Notice here who shall stand in HIS HOLY PLACE. God is holy! Heaven is a holy place for holy people.
D. Purity—Hebrews 4:15. Christ was tempted as we are, yet without sin. He is pure and without spot.
II. HIS PROMISES ARE HOLY
A. Surety—Numbers 23:19. God is not a man. God does not change His mind. God will keep His Word. His Word is sure. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever”—Isaiah 40:8.
B. Sinless—James 5:16. Notice we must confess our sins and be righteous, then the Lord will answer prayer and keep His promise.
C. Standard—John 15:7. For every promise there are conditions which we must meet. Here we must “abide in him.”
D. Settled—Titus 1:2. God can’t lie! God can do many things, but He cannot lie! He will keep His promises.
THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS WHICH WE MUST MEET IN ORDER FOR HIM TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS—THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE HOLY!
III. HIS PLAN IS HOLY
God’s plan for His people is holy. Note these steps!
A. The Plea—2 Corinthians 6:17. “Come out” and be separate, or live different than sinners and the world.
B. The Purging—2 Corinthians 7:1. Notice here, “cleanse self” from all filthiness of the flesh.
C. The Plan—1 John 2:15–17. Loving and taking part in the world. The “world” means the pleasures and the sins of the world.
D. The Purity—Hebrews 12:14. Necessary to live a holy life if we expect to see God.
E. The Persistence—1 Timothy 5:22. Abstain from all the appearance of evil and sin.
F. The Practice—1 Thessalonians 5:22. Keep THYSELF pure!
G. The Promise—Matthew 5:8. Only the pure in heart will see God. If we can’t live pure now, we would feel out of place in heaven.
Since God is holy, all Christians should live a holy life. Holy in: (1) Our Conduct—Galatians 5:16; (2) Holy in our Character—1 Corinthians 9:27; and (3) Holy in our Conversation—1 Peter 1:15–16. Since God is holy HE DEMANDS THAT WE LIVE HOLY!
11 SEPARATION
Colossians 3:1–17
God demands that we live separate from sin—1 John 2:15–17. Jesus spoke of serving two masters—Matthew 6:24. The Christian does not lose the power to sin—he loses the desire to sin!
1. SEPARATION MEANS SURRENDER—vv. 1–3
2. SEPARATION MEANS SANCTIFICATION—vv. 5–11
3. SEPARATION MEANS SHOWING—vv. 12–17
Notice these promises concerning holy living: Hebrews 12:14; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 6:17; 1 Timothy 5:22. The Bible warns of playing with fire—Proverbs 6:27–28. If we do not live holy upon earth, we will feel out of place in heaven.
37. SEPARATION (2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1)
I. SEPARATED TO GOD—Rom. 12:1–2
A. Presenting our bodies unto God
(This is our reasonable, required service)
B. Be not conformed to this world
(Not joining the sinful, worldly practices)
C. Transformed by renewing (making new) our minds
(This requires careful thinking and meditation)
D. Finding the will of God
(Progressive steps: the good, acceptable, and perfect)
II. SEPARATED FROM SIN—2 Cor. 7:1
A. Filthiness of the flesh—sins of the body
(Col. 3:5, “Mortify [cleanse] your members”)
B. Filthiness of the spirit—secret sins
(Besetting sin—Heb. 12:1)
C. Perfecting holiness—must work at holiness daily
(“Come out”—2 Cor. 6:17. Something you must do)
III. SEPARATED FROM UNBELIEVERS—2 Cor. 6:14–18
A. Righteousness and unrighteousness differ
B. Communion and darkness differ
C. Belief and unbelief differ
D. Church and idols differ
(The Christian is required to give up some things to be a success)
IV. SEPARATED WITH CHRIST—Heb. 13:12–15
A. Made holy through the blood of Christ
(What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus)
B. Holiness brings reproach and persecution
(Living holy always brings persecution)
C. If holy on earth, will be rewarded in heaven
(Jesus’ words—Matt. 5:5, “Shall see God”)
V. SEPARATED UNTO HONOR—2 Tim. 2:16, 20–21
A. Refuse profane (worthless) babblings
(This means gossip, false stories, etc.)
B. Cleanse yourself—“a vessel unto honor”
(Let your body be a vessel, through which Christ can work)