by Micah Messer
It is a sad commentary on the Christian youth of America when a majority of them cannot give a reason for the hope that lies within them. They look and live different from the world, but they don’t know how to answer when questioned why. Typical responses are I live this way because my church teaches it, or I do this or don’t do that because my parents make me. Some even admit that they have no clue why they live the holiness lifestyle. When asked for specific verses about outward and inward holiness, most young people in the church have not studied the Scriptures to discover a defense for their faith. Perhaps it’s ignorance. Maybe it’s apathy. Most likely it is spiritual laziness. Christians should be courageous not cowardly about the Biblical basis for the way we live. Do you struggle to stand when asked or attacked about external and internal holiness? Do you know why we live holy in an unholy world?
First, we are holy because the character of God is holy. The Scripture says, You shall be holy; for I am holy, and Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. (Lev 11:43-45; Is. 6:3) Everything about God is holy. His name is holy. The name of the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity is Holy (Is 57:15; Lk 1:49). His home is holy. Heaven is referred to a holy place, a holy hill, and a holy city (Is 57:15; Ps 24:3-4; Rev 21:2). His Word is holy. The Bible is called the Holy Scriptures (Rom 1:2; 2 Tim 3:15). His Works are holy. King David wrote in Psalm 145:17, The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works. We strive to be holy because everything about God is holy.
Second, we are holy because God wants a holy church. The Apostle Paul wrote that God will present to Himself a glorious church as the Bride of Christ that is holy, without spot, wrinkle, or blemish (Eph 5:27). As the people of God, we are called a holy temple, a holy brethren, a holy priesthood, and a holy nation. We abstain from what defiles our bodies because the temple of God is holy, which temple we are (1 Cor 3:16-17). We are also a holy family, a redeemed people with God as our Father and Jesus as our elder Brother (Heb 3:1). Furthermore, the Apostle Peter called us a holy priesthood offering ourselves, our prayers, and our thanksgiving as sacrifices to God in worship. He also called us a holy nation, the kingdom of God. We may be strangers and pilgrims in this world but we are members of a holy nation (1 Pet 2:5, 9). We don’t feel at home because we are not home yet. We are in this world but not of this world. We seek to be holy because God desires a holy church.
Third, we are holy because holiness is what we should be in our character. In fact, we were chosen by God to be holy before creation. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Eph 1:4). We were created by God to be holy. At salvation we became a new creation. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:24). Now we forsake the wrong to follow the right. We were called by God to be holy. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (Eph 4:7). Finally, we were commanded by God to be holy. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all matter of conversation, because it is written be ye holy; for I am holy (1 Pet 1:15, 16). Holiness is not for when it is convenient. It is a command. It is not an option; it is an order. It is not multiple choice—it is a mandate. We live a holy life because God wants us to have holy character.
Fourth, we are holy because holiness is what we should do in our conduct. We present our bodies in holiness. Paul wrote to the Saints in Rome that they should, present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (Rom 12:1). Living holiness is our reasonable service. It isn’t too much to ask of us. It isn’t a burden; it’s a blessing. We also perfect our holiness by separation from the world (2 Cor 6:4-7:1). To the church in Corinth, Paul wrote, 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. The author of Hebrews added that we partake and pursue holiness. We partake in the holiness of God by Him correcting and instructing us (Heb 12:10). We pursue holiness diligently because we know that without it we cannot see the Lord (Heb 12:14). Finally, we praise in holiness. Three times the Scriptures tells us to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness ( 1 Chr 16:29; Ps 29:2; 96:9). We live a holy life because God wants us to have holy conduct.
The next time someone asks you about holiness be ready with answer. We are holy because everything about God is holy: his name, his home, his word, his works. We are holy because the church is called a holy temple, brethren, priesthood, and nation. We are holy in our character because we were chosen, created, called, and commanded by God to be holy. We are holy in our conduct because we perfect, partake, pursue and praise in holiness.
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