Holiness and Faith

Text:

Hebrews 11:8

Hebrews 11:8 NKJV

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

I. Separate and Surrender

“Though we think of holiness in a more narrow sense of separation from impurity and moral evil, in its broader sense holiness is obedience to the will of God in whatever God directs.”

We are called to Separate from Sin.

Job 11:14 NKJV

If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

Isaiah 55:7 NKJV

Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Ephesians 4:22 NKJV

that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

1 Peter 2:11

1 Peter 2:11 NKJV

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

We are called to Surrender

Prayer is Essential

Psalm 143:10 NKJV

Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Inward Law

Psalm 40:8 NKJV

I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 NKJV

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Establishes a Divine Relationship

Matthew 12:50 NKJV

For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Imitate Christ’s Perfect Example

Matthew 26:42 NKJV

Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

“Obedience to the revealed will of God is often just as much a step of faith as claiming a promise from God.”

II. Initial and Incessant

“Faith is not only necessary to salvation, it is also necessary to live a life pleasing to God. Faith enables us to claim the promises of God – but it also enables us to obey the commands of God.”

Hebrews 11:4–10 NKJV

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

III. Conviction and Confidence

“The path of obedience in the pursuit of holiness is often contrary to human reason. If we do not have conviction in the necessity of obeying the revealed will of god as well as confidence in the promises of God, we will never persevere in this difficult pursuit.”

James 5:7–11 NKJV

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

IV. Track and Trust

“If we pursue holiness we must have faith to obey the will of God revealed in the Scripture and faith to believe that the promises of God will then be ours.”

Psalm 37:3 NKJV

Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Mark 9:23 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

John 14:12 NKJV

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.