Hindering Holiness
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” —Hebrews 12:14
God desires that we “be holy” as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). But what does it mean to be “holy”? The term “holy” means “separate,” “sacred,” and “whole.” And there are two types of holiness that Christians experience. The first is positional holiness. This is the holiness that is given to us the moment that we trust in Christ. And then there is progressive holiness, whereby become holy as we are continually conformed to the image of Christ.
We grow in holiness in two ways: by learning what pleases Christ and then doing it and forsaking whatever practice, habit, or custom that displeases Christ. And we continually learn what pleases Christ in a variety of ways. The primary means is by reading, studying, meditating and applying His word on a consistent basis. But we also grow in holiness through learning His heart in prayer, placing ourselves under the preaching of the word, and worshiping the Lord with other brothers and sisters in Christ—because it is through worshiping the Lord that He communicates His presence to us.
We hinder holiness by continuing to tolerate for entertainment what God’s Word condemns as sin. And we hinder holiness by refusing to read the Word, pray, or worship with God’s people. There is a great deal of confusion in regards to holiness. Some believe that holiness is a means of denying ourselves the things that give us joy—a legalistic practice whereby we are justified in the sight of God by what we do or do not do. Holiness is not meant to hinder our lives or make us doleful or depressed under a repressive weight of do’s and don’ts. Holiness is God’s means whereby we can practically be helped to experience the joy of becoming like Christ.
What about us? Are we hindering holiness by tolerating practices in our lives that God calls sinful? Or are we continually worshiping with God’s people and placing ourselves under His word? And are we reading the word of God and praying so that we might know His heart more fully? I hope that we all might grow in holiness, experiencing the joy that comes from doing what delights Him. Amen.
God desires that we “be holy” as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). But what does it mean to be “holy”? The term “holy” means “separate,” “sacred,” and “whole.” And there are two types of holiness that Christians experience. The first is positional holiness. This is the holiness that is given to us the moment that we trust in Christ. And then there is progressive holiness, whereby become holy as we are continually conformed to the image of Christ.
We grow in holiness in two ways: by learning what pleases Christ and then doing it and forsaking whatever practice, habit, or custom that displeases Christ. And we continually learn what pleases Christ in a variety of ways. The primary means is by reading, studying, meditating and applying His word on a consistent basis. But we also grow in holiness through learning His heart in prayer, placing ourselves under the preaching of the word, and worshiping the Lord with other brothers and sisters in Christ—because it is through worshiping the Lord that He communicates His presence to us.
We hinder holiness by continuing to tolerate for entertainment what God’s Word condemns as sin. And we hinder holiness by refusing to read the Word, pray, or worship with God’s people. There is a great deal of confusion in regards to holiness. Some believe that holiness is a means of denying ourselves the things that give us joy—a legalistic practice whereby we are justified in the sight of God by what we do or do not do. Holiness is not meant to hinder our lives or make us doleful or depressed under a repressive weight of do’s and don’ts. Holiness is God’s means whereby we can practically be helped to experience the joy of becoming like Christ.
What about us? Are we hindering holiness by tolerating practices in our lives that God calls sinful? Or are we continually worshiping with God’s people and placing ourselves under His word? And are we reading the word of God and praying so that we might know His heart more fully? I hope that we all might grow in holiness, experiencing the joy that comes from doing what delights Him. Amen.
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