Holiness - Clean it Up, Part 2
If we look at the verse that we started with in 2 Cor, we notice that we are to perfect holiness in the sphere of the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NASB) [7:1] Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Our word for holiness is hagiosune which is a manifestation of the quality of "holiness" in personal conduct. We are to be bringing holiness to its predestined end. Which is to say that we are to be found blameless at the coming of Christ. The whole notion of sanctification is here, our being made more and more like Jesus. we are told to put on the new "self" which is in the likeness of God.
Ephesians 4:24 (NASB) [24] and put on the new *self, which *in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
So we are to be putting away what we once were and taking on the likeness of God through Jesus Christ. One of the biggest ways that we do this is to obey Him, to show that we are His and that we remain in the vine (John 15). We were bought with a price and since we have been rescued from our enemies, we should serve Him without fear, something that is present because we are joint heirs with Christ. We can stand before a holy and just God without any recrimination because of this relationship. Unlike Islam in which you are a slave, we are joint heirs, part of the family - servants, but not slaves to God. And when we serve him it will be with righteousness and holiness.
Luke 1:74-75 (NASB) [74] To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, [75] In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
This holiness, or sanctification, is needed to even see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14 (NASB) [14] Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
Of course, one of the problems that we have is that we are preoccupied with the things of this world. The problem with that view is that this world is going to be done away with. Remember, the thing that is important at work now will be in someone's landfill 20 years from now.
2 Peter 3:11 (NASB) [11] Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
Notice that in light of the destruction of this present world the real thing that we should be concentrating on is holiness and godliness, So our idea for holiness is that it is holy conduct and that it signifies sanctification or the process in which we become more and more like Jesus. There are many aspects of that which need to be explored further.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NASB) [7:1] Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Our word for holiness is hagiosune which is a manifestation of the quality of "holiness" in personal conduct. We are to be bringing holiness to its predestined end. Which is to say that we are to be found blameless at the coming of Christ. The whole notion of sanctification is here, our being made more and more like Jesus. we are told to put on the new "self" which is in the likeness of God.
Ephesians 4:24 (NASB) [24] and put on the new *self, which *in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
So we are to be putting away what we once were and taking on the likeness of God through Jesus Christ. One of the biggest ways that we do this is to obey Him, to show that we are His and that we remain in the vine (John 15). We were bought with a price and since we have been rescued from our enemies, we should serve Him without fear, something that is present because we are joint heirs with Christ. We can stand before a holy and just God without any recrimination because of this relationship. Unlike Islam in which you are a slave, we are joint heirs, part of the family - servants, but not slaves to God. And when we serve him it will be with righteousness and holiness.
Luke 1:74-75 (NASB) [74] To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, [75] In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
This holiness, or sanctification, is needed to even see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14 (NASB) [14] Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
Of course, one of the problems that we have is that we are preoccupied with the things of this world. The problem with that view is that this world is going to be done away with. Remember, the thing that is important at work now will be in someone's landfill 20 years from now.
2 Peter 3:11 (NASB) [11] Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
Notice that in light of the destruction of this present world the real thing that we should be concentrating on is holiness and godliness, So our idea for holiness is that it is holy conduct and that it signifies sanctification or the process in which we become more and more like Jesus. There are many aspects of that which need to be explored further.