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God commands us to be holy because he is holy. But holy living is not only our capability. But with the grace and power of God, holy living should become our conduct of morality. It is possible for sinners to become holy by the grace of God.
God, the creator of the universe, is holy. He is perfectly righteous, pure and faultless. He is impartial towards people that he settles it in eternity. We have committed sins and became sinners. So, God tells us to become holy. Holiness must become our conduct of morality which is the fruit of righteousness. Holy life is possible by the grace of God, if our purpose in life is to become godly. Let us study how.
"John 4:24 God is a Spirit:" So, God is ONE Spirit. "Gen 1:26 God said, Let us make man in our image after our likeness:" But God speaks for himself in plural. "Isaiah 48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me." Jesus Christ says in prophesy that Lord God and his Spirit have sent him. It makes three persons. "2 Cor 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." And in many other places God shows himself as three persons. So, God is THREE persons in ONE Spirit. "1 John 5:7 there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
The Spirit that is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient is God. These power attributes of God are unique to God only. Because of his Spirit he is God. His Persons are in his Spirit. They are righteous, holy and impartial in judgments. These attributes are not unique because God wants us to posses his personal attributes and to live by them. If we do, then God will adopt us as his sons so that we shall inherit his kingdom. But if we do not obey him, his wrath will be upon us, the children of disobedience.
The Spirit of God is Omnipotent. That is, he is all-powerful to create as many universes with all details, as the one in which we live. He is Omnipresent. That is, he is present everywhere at the same time. He can be allover on earth, on the moon, on the sun, on the stars, in heaven, in hell, anywhere and every where in a single time. He is Omniscient. That is, He knows everything. He knows all knowledge, wisdom, intelligence, mystery and the thoughts of everyone in the world of all ages. These are God’s awesome and unique attributes, and nobody else can have them. Because of these attributes he is God.
The names of the three persons in God in the New Testament are, God the Father, Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. They are holy, righteous and they are not respecter of persons in judgments. God has created man in his image, the image of his soul. God wants man to be holy, righteous and not to be respecter of persons. God is love and he loves the whole world to the extent that God the Word became the man Jesus and died for them in order to help them to live holy, righteous, and without partiality. God tells man to love God and obey God, since God loved him first. "John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." According to this, God is limiting his love only to those, who love God and obey God. "Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:" So, God is not only 'LOVE', but he is also 'WRATH'. His wrath will be upon those who disobey him and commit sin. God is holy and he wants us to be holy as he is holy. God is perfect and he wants us to be perfect as he is perfect.
Holiness is: perfect in goodness and righteousness. God is perfect in holiness."Isa 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims:... 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts:... Rev 4:8 the four beasts ... they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." And God wants us to be as holy as he is holy. "1 Pet 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." Every society has an acceptable standard for living, which is their moral standard. How well we live, within the perimeter of standard is our character. God himself set his character as perfect righteousness and total purity, which is holiness. God created us in his own image so that we can have his character. "Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; ---" God tells his children to be perfect as their father in heaven is perfect. "Matt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." But, the sons of the devil oppose this verse and say that nobody can be perfect. But, God is not telling them to be perfect. They will sin as their father Satan sins. But, the children of God will become perfect.
God is commanding his people to be holy as he is holy "Lev 11:45 For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. "Lev 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy." But, our desires are worldly. So, it is not possible for us to be holy. So, God gives us his holy spirit and power in order to have heavenly desire and to live holy. So, let us go for it, obey God and become holy. "1 Pet 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." The people of God were delivered from the bondage of Egypt. When they were free, God asked them to become holy. The same call of God is extended to his people even now. The grace of God will break the addiction of sins in our lives, so that it will be possible for us to live a holy life. "2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." So, let us be holy.
Our Lord God asks us to be holy. Most of us think that nobody could live or have lived a holy life. Let us look at the following references and see that some people have lived and some people are now living holy lives according to the Bible. If they have lived a holy life, why can't we also live a holy life.
God has brought the scriptures to us through holy men. So, those men were holy. "Acts 3:21 ---, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 2 Pet 1:21 --- holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
The apostles and prophets of the old were holy and at the time of Revelation will also be holy. "Eph 3:5 …as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; "Rev 18:20… thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her."
Apostle Paul and workers, even believers in churches were holy. "1 Thes 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 1 Thes 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren."
Jesus Christ is coming again to receive a group of people who are holy. So if the second coming of Jesus Christ is sure then it is sure that there are holy people on earth waiting for his coming. "1 Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."
The above verses are proof that there were and are people living holy. And God tells his people and his children to be holy. Satan tells his people and his children not to be holy. People will obey their father.
The Spiritual Church is the body of Christ. The people of God become the part of the body of Christ through the process of salvation. God knows who 'such as should be saved' are. "Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." He joins them in the Church so that they may continue in the word, become disciples, know the truth and be converted into a new person."John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." They will follow Jesus Christ.
God gives ministers for his church, his body to grow. But, false ministers mix in the churches showing themselves as servants of God. God gives gifts of the Holy Ghost to the believers in churches, even to the rebellious people, who are disobedient to the word. Satan also fill the churches with counterfeit gifts. So, all those who are used with gifts in churches are not necessarily godly people. "Psalm 68:18.. thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, ..."
There are truthful godly men who feed God's church to spiritual growth, even to the fullness of Christ. "Eph 4:11 he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." So also, godly people will use the gifts of the spirit, according to the leading of the spirit, for the edification of the church. His Body grows to maturity through the operation of the gifts of the Holy Ghost. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost are given to the church, to be operated in the church, to edify the Body of Christ and to establish believers. "1 Cor 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." The purpose of God's ministry is to make the saints perfect, as Jesus Christ is perfect. Ignorant and unstable people challenge God.
God is preparing for himself a true church, cleansing her with the word, not to have spot, or wrinkle, or blemish, or any such impurity. "Eph 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." The Church is the workmanship of God. "Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,..." When God completes his work, the Church will look like him and in the end she will have the glory of God with her own righteousness. "Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Almost all the evangelical Christians claim that they will be a part in the rapture. But only the "bride of Christ", who kept themselves holy for God, will have part in the rapture. "Rev 21:9 --- Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;" The holy Jerusalem is the bride.
We must become holy in order to meet Jesus Christ at his second coming. The Bible requires that we attain holiness. It is through a process. Depending on the dedication and determination of individuals the duration of the process may be short or long. False believers are not in the process and they will discourage the true believers. But the true believers will grow in God until they will not sin anymore. Let us see a few facets of this precess from the word of God.
"1 John 1:5. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: If we walk in darkness, that is sin, we can not have fellowship with God. So, repent, don't cover up with lie, but walk in the light. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; If we walk in the light as God is in the light, that is if we live without sin, then we will have true fellowship with the disciples of God. Further, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin, that is all our past sins will be forgiven to us. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Again John warns the believers that if they sin, they must not hide their sins, but to confess their sins to God and then God will forgive their sins, and also cleanse them from all unrighteousness, meaning that God will clean the very core that causes sin so that they may not sin again. 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. 1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning." God's purpose for writing the epistles is that his people must not sin. Then comes "1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." False preachers try to exploit verse 8 & 10 saying that if we say that we do not committing sin, we will be liars. Ignore these sons of the devil. Always remember that you were a sinner in the past and by the grace of God now you live in the light as God is in the light. You have fellowship with holy men, but not with sinning people.
"Acts 20:28... the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, --. " That is, if God forgives us, then God has purchased us for himself with the blood of Jesus. "1 John 1:9 --- and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He removes all our unrighteousness, which cause us to commit sins, from our hearts. Eph 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." Since we belong to him, he makes us holy without blemish. "1 Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." Now he dwells in us. But if we sin again, he will destroy us. This is the caution. "1 John 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:" But, the reality is that if we abide in him, we will not commit sin. "Luke 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life." Then we will be delivered from sin to serve him in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
True lovers of God will obey God. Fake lovers will not obey him. "John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: 1 John 2:3... hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him." If we truly love him, we will obey him. Then we will be in him.
Perfect obedience will lead us to the abiding of the Holy Spirit, the Father and the Son. Then God will live in us. We will overcome the devil and we will not sin. If we sin God is not in us. "John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him... 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 13 -young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. --14 I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." So, if we love God we will obey God, then Jesus Christ and God the Father will love us and will live in us. As God abides in us, we have to walk as God walks. But, if you say that Jesus lives in your heart and live in sin, then it is a lie and a fake statement. If you sin, it is proof that God is not abiding in you.
If we have the hope, we will purify ourselves as Jesus Christ is pure. "1 John 3:2 -- we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." If God abides (lives) in a man, then he cannot commit sin. So this believer will be holy. "1 John 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." The Jesus Christ gives grace to repented people to stop their sins, then forgives their past sins, and thus saves them from their sins. "Mat 1:21 --- his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. 1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." God will never call an unholy person as holy. Those who commit sin are sinners and they are not saved. "John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; "
Our success in living a holy life is the direct result of our striving to enter through the narrow gate of strict obedience. "Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, --- 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Striving is hard work. We have to bring our body into the subjection of the Holy Spirit. "1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." If we are subject to God, he will give himself to us and make us holy, as he is holy. "Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ,- 25 -- , even as 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. Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." So, if we walk in his ways, we have entered the strait gate already. Praise the Lord!
God is perfect in holiness and righteousness. True and righteous are his judgments. He is not respecter of persons. He is Almighty and the whole universe belongs to him. He is adopting sons to inherit his kingdom. Every human being is qualified to be adopted as his son. Are you interested to be adopted?
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. If you are his little flock, you will be adopted. 1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. If you love him, you will be adopted. "Rev 22:12 I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. If you work for it, you will be adopted. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. If you purify yourself as he is pure, you will be adopted. Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. If you suffer with him, you will be adopted. God bless you.
If we love God with reverential fear, we will obey God - We will stop sinning.
the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
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