Holiness in an Unholy World

Inherent in the call to be holy is the idea that we will be holy in an unholy world.

Every space of our lives comes with its own unique temptation — the university polluted with sensuality, reckless living, and lust; the business place with temptations to shady practices and compromised ethics; even the home where frustrations, selfishness, and convenience tempt us from always honoring Christ!

We must be diligently prepared for assaults on our hearts and minds.

James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

2 Cor.6:17 “Therefore, come out from among them (unbelievers who practice lawlessness — 1 Cor.6:14) and be separate, says the Lord; do not touch any unclean thing, and I will welcome you.”

How do we respond when we are surrounded by the unrelenting pressures of a sinful world?

The answer is not withdrawal from the world (John 17:15 “I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”) Further, we are called to be salt and light (Mt.5:13-14), something that is hard to do if you’re not actually in the world.

Resolve to live by the convictions God has given us from His Word. Necessary to this is avoiding “adaptability.” We cannot be a cultural chameleon. Be careful if you have two vocabularies, one for church and one for everywhere else!

Are our convictions firm and grounded enough to withstand ridicule from unbelievers? What about believers who don’t share the same conviction?

If we compromise our identity in Christ, it becomes harder to backtrack and subsequently be known as a Jesus follower.

What are some practical ways to openly identify with Jesus?

We must purpose to guard ourselves with the Bible. Ps.119:9 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word.”

Even with this verse in mind, what about the commercials we see? The things we hear? The pictures on billboards? How do we combat it?

Do we guard ourselves with passages like:

Prov.27:20 “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and people’s eyes are never satisfied.”

Eph.5:4 “Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks.”

How do we move from just being defensive, but to moving to the offensive?

Agree or disagree: “A Christian who witnesses in a spirit of genuine concern for another person is not likely to be corrupted by that person’s immorality. And through gracious, loving concern, he may perhaps win that person to the Savor.”

There are times when removal from a situation may be necessary. The thought here is a situation similar to what Lot faced in Gen.19.

It is a perplexing problem that we face — how to be holy in an increasingly unholy world. We must look to Jesus who was Himself perfect (Heb.7:26 “For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.”) And, we faithfully cling to the promise of 1 Cor.10:13 “No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.”