Holiness.

     The concept of holiness can be confusing to people. To many it is one of those terms that we use as christians without ever considering what it truly means. To many, it means that somehow God sees us as okay no matter how we are living our lives. A sinful lifestyle can be justified by people who think that they are holy in God's eyes.
     The true concept behind holiness is one of separation. It involves being separated from sin, and self. It is a separation from the way the world lives and operates. "Come out from among them and be separate" (2 Cor 6:17) is a call to holiness, a call to the church to remain pure and separated from idolatry. Holiness requires devotion to God. We are separated from the world for the purpose of serving God. We are exhorted to present ourselves to God as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1). This act of devotion is considered holy, acceptable to God. Paul goes on to say " Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds". We are called to be different from those around us. We are to prove the will of God in our lives, by putting it into practice. In 1 Peter 1:15, we are told that we are to be holy in all of our conduct. Holiness is a way of life. It is a life lived for the glory of God. Sin is put away, self is put aside, all that matters is God.
     Holiness is vital to our walk with Christ. Without holiness, being separated out for God's use, we cannot see the Lord (Heb 12:14). Holiness begins in the heart and from there it finds its way into our actions. It is the pure in heart who will see God (Matt 5:8), those who come to Christ with an insincere, divided heart will find no peace. Jesus asks for our all. The cost of following Christ is great. "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself" (Mark 8:34). "Come out from among them and be separate" say the Lord, "and do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters" (2 Cor 6:17-18).
     The intent of salvation is to transform sinners into holy people. A salvation that leaves an individual still in his or her sins, a salvation that does not radically change the life of one who believes, is no salvation. This is a hard saying, but true. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:1-10, deals with this fact. Far too often we underestimate the actual power of God exhibited in Christ.The atonement is a powerful thing. The one set free by the Son is free indeed! We can live victorious, we can walk in purity and holiness before the Lord. It is all grace, it was all purchased for us by Jesus Christ on the cross. Salvation is a complete package. Forgiveness as well as a new life. A saved individual is a new creation. In one respect, the possibility of sin exists, and often is fallen into. However one who truly knows Christ will go to Him in repentance and faith, and find forgiveness and grace to go on with the Lord. That is different from one who claims to know Christ, and believes he is forgiven and saved, but has no real desire to turn from sin, makes no effort to obey Christ. Such a one is not holy, is not separated from the world, is not devoted to God, and is still dead in trespasses and sins.
     God is holy, and commands us to be holy as He is holy. The good news is that the same God who calls us to holiness is also faithful to produce this purity in our hearts and lives (1 Thess 5:23-24).