What Does It Mean To Be Holy? Conclusion

(for part 1 see 2/14/24)

Ephesians 5:25, “...Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

There appears to be some confusion among secular churches about the definition of “holiness.” How can we embrace holiness and sin at the same time? Sure, we need to identify with the struggles of the sinner but we cannot accept the life of sin. And neither can the sinner if he or she wants to be truly free. Sin is a weight. Its destructive powers are like a malignant cancer with its invasive tentacles reaching into every fiber of the human body. The cancer must be identified and eradicated. It is the work of the Holy Ghost to identify the sin in us. It is the work of the same Holy Ghost to destroy the sin as one repents and walks in the redeeming power of the blood of Jesus bringing captive every thought and deed.

We must serve notice to Satan. We must tell him that he cannot exert his influence in our lives. He needs to know that he is not welcome. He needs to feel the fervor of the Holy Spirit when he comes calling. He needs to know that this house is under the supervision of the Lord God Almighty.

Holiness is not adherence to a creed, doctrine or religious ritual. Holiness is the result of spiritual transformation created in the heart of the believer by the indwelling of the Spirit of God. Thereby the believer becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus, born anew from above. John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Holiness is an attribute of the new heart created in the life of the believer. Being born from above, the believer receives his guidance from our Father above and reflects that guidance in every facet of his life.

The child will manifest the attributes of the father! The Father is holy! So are His children!