"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15, 16).

What Is Holiness?

Does a holy person play the lottery? Does he play bingo for money or gamble in any other way?

Is a holy person ever a thief or intoxicated on drugs or alcohol? Does he smoke? Does he neglect or abuse his children? Does he lose his temper and do violent things?

Will a holy husband or wife lust after other women or men? Would a holy husband stay out a night with other men and women? Would a holy person engage in an affair outside of marriage? Would a holy woman get an abortion or encourage others to do so? Would a holy person dress immodestly or read books and magazines that support immorality and promiscuity?

Would a holy person curse or take God's Name in vain? Would he tell dirty jokes or hang out at the bars? Would he waste his time watching TV, VCR's, or the movies?

Would a holy person do other than works of mercy on the Lord's Day? Would he buy or sell or stay out of church on Sunday? Would he mow his grass, wash his car, paint his house, spend the day at the races or games on Sunday? Would he willingly sin against God?

The answer to all the above questions is no. Those who do their own thing and follow the crowd are not holy. They are disobeying God and living in sin.

We all know people in churches that are doing these things. They even laugh at the possibility of becoming a holy person. Their church membership or religious profession doesn't change their lifestyle because their heart has not been changed. Yet they believe they will go to heaven when they die.

It is possible for people to be made holy. A holy person will be different than the worldly society in the way he lives. A holy person will pay his bills, provide for his family, and treat his or her spouse with respect.

Is Holiness Really Necessary?

The Bible teaches that holiness is God's will for all mankind. Jesus Christ came to both pardon and cleanse the sinner. To be cleansed means to be sanctified and made holy. The holy person has not lost his ability to sin, but it is his desire and will not to sin.

The grace of God brings to us salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11). Verse 12 expands this grace to include godly living: "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." Hebrews 12:14: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."

We conclude that holiness is both possible and necessary. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.

Lingua

English

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1

Editore

Anabaptist Faith

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Moralità

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