Holiness Teachings (Introduction: part one)
B.T. Roberts re-examined.
1Pe 1:13 – 16 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [14] As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, [15] but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16] since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Notice that 1. Holiness is based on the mind and its connection with actions (v 16). 2. Holiness is concerned about NOT conforming to the passions of our former ignorance (v 14). 3. Holiness is about being *like* God (v 15).
Basis:
The words “sanctification” and “holiness,” in the Bible, mean the same thing.
1. Holiness implies victory over outward sin.
a. It is dependent on the state of justification.
b. A person who is holy does not commit sin.
Rom 6:14 “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
c. Implies grace has dominion in our lives.... In the struggle between sin and grace: grace wins!
1 Jn 3:9 “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.”
d. If you imagine you are holy but do what God’s forbids OR neglects to do what God commands... you are deceived!
“His so-called faith is fatal presumption.”
2. Holiness is a state of being that prompts good works.
a. This state is the condition of the soul which prompts us to perform good actions.
b. It is the imitation of Jesus.
1 Peter 1:14 – 16 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, [15] but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16] since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
c. Notice this does not say to DO holy things, but BE holy.
1 Thes. 3:13 “So that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”
d. When the HEART that is established; then the habits will be right.
3. Holiness implies deliverance from all wrong dispositions, tempers, and desires.
a. Deliverance from indulgence in the right in an unlawful manner or to an inordinate degree.
b. Sinful dispositions: anger, pride, and covetousness.
c. Wrong tempers: what is not delivered, yielded to God.
“In a holy person all his powers of body and mind are brought into harmony with the will of God.”
1 Thes. 5:23 “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Peace is the surest sign of sanctification.)
1.) The body is so far sanctified as to be blameless. (Free from “the cravings for indulgences which were fast hastening him on to destruction.”)
2.) The affections, passions, desires, and propensities are so subdued that they are the occasion of good, and not harm.
3.) The intellect, the judgement, the will, and the imagination are made pure and holy in all things.
2 Cor. 7:1 “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
d. Holiness is opposed to all defilement (KJV “filthiness”)
4. Holiness is distinct from justification and subsequent to it.
a. When one is converted (justified) he is far from made holy (doesn’t have victory over sin... immediately).
1 Cor. 3:1 “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.”
(It is natural to grow up. Remaining an infant us unnatural.)
b. It is possible to be “brothers” and “infants in Christ.” Justified... not sinners or backsliders... The were “carnal” but not holy.
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