In Friday’s post, “When is it wrong to be a living sacrifice?” about Romans 12:1, which refers to our being “holy” as living sacrifices, I commented that it seems that holiness is rarely defined. Well, here is a brief definition, one that is easy to remember.
“God wants to align you with His heart,” but it is all by faith, faith in Jesus Christ, who has already accomplished all our holiness. None of it is by our own works, only by His.
There is great joy to be found in that.
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Thank you!
Bless your heart Rebecca! so true! reminds me of this stmt… good people will sacrifice themselves to benefit others and evil people will sacrifice others to benefit themselves…
Amen. (I’m gonna write this one down…)
Superb!
Love it! I came out of the Oneness Pentecostal movement which is most notably know for their Holiness, otherwise known as being part of the Holiness movement.
We defined Holiness as a dress code – women didn’t wear pants, makup, cut / color their hair, men didn’t wear t-shirts, shorts or facial hair. We propped it up with self pride saying, “This is how the world will know we are the TRUE church.”
We forgot Holiness can only be achieved by having His Holy Spirit and allowing it to direct us. It wasn’t a predefined dress code and ritual someone years ago decided was the only way we could dress or perform.
Thank God for real wisdom and truth. Thank you!
Yes, I’ve heard about the abuses in the Oneness Pentecostal movement. Such a shame, when the claim of pentecostals is to be led by the Spirit that it devolves into such a man-made list. In Acts, the outsiders knew who the Christians were by their love for one another, not by their adherance to a man-made list. What a travesty!
It is a shame Rebecca, my regret is sticking with it for 15 years.
Holiness is a command from God we must obey. 1 Peter 1:16
There are two parts to holiness
What God requires and then what God desires
The closer you get to Jesus, the more you add to your life things from the desired list.
You want to please Jesus, more than JUST obey Him.
Holiness affects every part of your life – spirit, soul & body
2 Corinthians 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.
Jesus is Worthy that we submit every area of our lives to Him for His Glory.
Our spirit to HIm so He has a throne to set on as Lord of our lives
Our mind – to meditate on His Presence and Word day & night
Our body also. May it be submitted to Him completely so we can truly worship Him in Spirit & Truth. Yes – that includes some do’s & don’ts
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
This is why we don’t do the things that try to distract from His Glory and why we do the things He desires so we will be attractive to HIM.