Being Holy

There are many non-Christians who don't drink, smoke and try to lead clean lives that are lost.

Being holy to me is walking as Christ walked.

 

It's a position and a process.

When we are saved we are declared holy by God the Father. This is due to the blood of Christ that covers our sin. He also commands that we should be holy, so we should strive to be holy to glorify Him. (1 Peter 1:13-19)
The only way to do this is to apply God's Word. In John 17:16-17, Christ is praying for His disciples. He prays that the Father will sanctify them with His truth(His word).

I believe a Christian becomes holy by being obedient to God's Word. The more of God's word a person digests and exercises, the more holy they'll become.

It is a position and a process.

 

living a Christ-like life

 

If I remember correctly, "holiness" is not really equal to "goodness". It is more like "otherness". There is the sense of being "set apart", or "different".

Of course, being "different" from the world would make you "good" because the world is in darkness and full of evil.

Most of the time, it is used in reference to God. In the Old Testament, especially, it was used to describe God as "wholly other" than anyone else. There was also a sense of danger and awe associated with the holiness of God.

His justice is untainted by bias or favortism, different from the way the world judges. His righteousness is untainted by pride or hypocrisy, different from the righteousness of men. His love is pure and undefiled by lust or envy, unlike the love displayed by men.

So "being holy", I think, means to be set apart from the world for a specific purpose. To live in the world, but not to be conformed to the world. We are to be "like God", in the sense of being full of mercy, compassion, unselfishness and love.

We are to live our lives for the cause of Christ while loving the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds, soul, and strength. If we could do that, then we would be holy.

peace to you

 

In order to be holy a person must first be made holy in heart by the new birth. That comes simply by trusting Christ as Savior.

Those who have trusted Him should then live holy lives which, to be sure, involves fleeing from sinful practices.

However, if you think smoking is somehow sinful, you have been sadly mislead. See the current thread on smoking for more details.

Mark Osgatharp

 

Not having a Christmas tree helps.

Seriously, what is it that makes God holy? Is it not drinking or smoking? Is it trying to live a clean life? Is it something else?

Hint - it is something else.

 

Whatever,

Striving to live a clean life is part of being holy. How anyone could read the Bible and conclude otherwise is beyond my comprehension.

Mark Osgatharp

 

Holy is moment by moment with Jesus realizing he is lord.

 

One of the most important aspects of being holy is separation from false religions. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians in his second letter:

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?

For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

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.[/qb][/quote]

When you consider that many Baptist churches and associations are in fellowship with modernists and heretics of all varieties, it makes you realize what an unholy lot we are.

Mark Osgatharp

 

Does God strive to live a clean life?

 

Honestly, I try not to fart in public because it is rude. I'm just trying to get by in life. Do my best. Believe in Christ. Maybe not drink too much beer as to spill it all over myself like a jerk at a party. Man, I can't imagine trying to be Holy. I am just me. I'm a snot in the world. But I love Jesus.

 

Heheh!!!!

You're ten times better than more people than you think.

 

You people can mock all you want - the Bible teaches that we should strive for practical holiness in our lives which definately includes abstaining from sinful practices.

Of course, there are many practices which men say are sinful which are not - like drinking alcohol without getting drunk, smoking cigarettes, or wearing street clothes to church. But the things that God's word condemns - fornication, jesting about morally filthy things, evil speech, etc - should be avoided and our practical sanctification depends on it.

Mark Osgatharp

 

Hey mark, I'm not mocking Bro. Sorry if I came off that way. I'm just saying I do my best and the second I start thinking Holy than I start acting like a jerk off. That's me though. You do your thing and it's cool you can be so focused. I'm just living each day the best I can man. You made some good points.

 

DavidsonBap,

I am not suggesting that any of us live 100% holy lives - if we did we would be sinless. I am suggesting that practical holiness is a goal for which we should strive.

And I'm not talking about a phony piety - going around with your nose stuck up in the air with a halo over your head. I'm talking about a real desire and commitment to live honestly, soberly, and godly in this evil world.

That is what Paul was talking about when he told the Thessalonians that he had lived,

"holily and justly and unblameably"

among them.

Mark Osgatharp

 

Yeah, that makes sense. You gave me something to think about. Thanks bro.

 

Nobody said that we should not abstain from sinful practices. I only say that holiness does not consist of trying to do right. Somehow you have taken this to mean that one need not do right to be holy. And then you chide me for a lack of reading comprehension.

Holiness is being right, from which doing right follows. God is holy not because of what He does, but in His essence. Because He is holy all that He does is right and good.

 

********I am not suggesting that any of us live 100% holy lives - if we did we would be sinless. I am suggesting that practical holiness is a goal for which we should strive.*********


No one will ever reach 100% while on this earth, though it wouldn't be a bad idea to try.

 

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

1 Peter 1
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.