Pursuing Biblical Holiness Pt. 2

This lesson on biblical holiness will focus on the nuts and bolts of progressive holiness. It's important to remember that we grow progressively in holiness as we apply consistently God's means of grace. Prayer, worship, fellowship, reading, studying and hearing the Scriptures preached are used by the Spirit to produce His fruit in us.

The primary meaning of the term holy is ‘set apart’. For example Lev. 10:10; Eze. 22:26.
Leviticus 10:10 (ESV) You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean,

When holiness refers to people it means to be set apart for the Lord’s purposes exclusively. Such is the use of the term in first Peter. 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. It follows then that since we belong to God our lives should more and more reflect His character as seen in Jesus Christ.

Biblical holiness involves the following:

Grace motivation - Biblical holiness is motivated not by a fear of eternal damnation, but an appreciation of God’s love, and grace. Titus 2:11-14; 1John 3:1-3.
Titus 2:11-14 (ESV)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Holy Spirit empowered - Biblical holiness is a result of the Spirit’s power working within God’s people. It is important to realize that the true evidence of a Spirit empowered believer is a consistent lifestyle of holiness. Rom. 8:4; Gal. 5:16-18.
Romans 8:2-4 (ESV)
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Grounded in a new creation - Through the new birth we’ve received a new godly nature that craves Biblical holiness. Eph. 4:22-24; 1John 3:9.
Ephes. 4:22-24 (ESV)
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Emphasizes inward transformation over outward behavior - Biblical holiness first takes root in the inward thoughts, attitudes, and intentions. Mark 7:14-23; Col. 3:12-14.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Regards putting off old sinful thoughts, and behaviors, while adopting new Biblical practices. Gal. 5:19-24; Col. 3:1-17.

Involves how we think, speak, and act. Biblical holiness concerns the whole person, not just what we do. Matt. 5:22, 28; Phil. 2:3-4; Eph. 4:29; James 3:9-12; Rom. 6:13;
1Pet. 1:15-16
but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Conforms to Biblical mandates, not cultural norms. Biblical holiness is not a list of man made rules that actually serve to water down genuine holiness. Where cultural standards fluctuate, Biblical holiness is consistent. Matt. 5:43-48; Rom. 14:17-18.

Contextually lived. Biblical holiness is lived out in the context of a network of personal relationships. John 13:34-35; 1Cor 13; Eph. 5:15-6:4; Titus 3:1-2.

To Him Who Loves Us...

Pastor Lance