Personal Holiness..Is It Even Possible Today?

A moment by moment death to self---so dead to self in fact--that the only life that can possibly be lived is the eternal life that Jesus is living through us. Not I . . . but Christ!!

Obedience---obedience---obedience!! Samuel told Saul---to obey is better than sacrifice!

 

It’s a struggle for me too, especially when I know what I should or shouldn’t do and have trouble being righteous or repenting which eats me up considering forgiveness and the price paid; often I think of Paul’s struggles and the prayers of David for comfort.

(Heb 10:22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

(Heb 10:23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised

(Heb 10:24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

(Heb 10:25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

(Heb 10:26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Something to think about isn't it?

 

Amen it is. Christianity is losing the fear of God and we need to get it back.

 

Greg,

That is a bit unfair of you, I think. Look at the time of day you posted. I, for one, am interested in your conversation. I am about to go to bed also...but I will leave you with this:

I think you are correct that God has called us to be Holy, and that on our own, that is impossible. There is nothing Holy in sinful man whatsoever. It is by the grace of God that we can be redeemed.

Sola Deo Gloria!

Joseph Botwinick

 

I think personal holiness is an important topic as well. I read this thread earlier and have thought about it actually a few times since reading it. I think personal holiness and perseverance of the saints kinda goes hand in hand but it is also a concept that I struggle with as well. It seems that when I get one area under control, another one pops up, just like the bopping game at Chuck E Cheeses, lol.

Greg, dont feel bad. Almost all the reflective type threads I have ever started dont get many responses either. I dont think its that people dont care, I think people just dont know how to respond.

 

Greg, I can certainly relate and add a few personal thoughts,

I had a lot of fear wondering if I had enough faith when I saw that my righteousness was lacking but knowing the truth and striving to live the way God tells me I find that He helps me and blesses me for obedience and with that seeing that His Word is true it increases my faith even more, but then I think God sees I can handle more and gives me even a higher standard to follow which in turn brought me more fear of being unrighteous. This has led me to pray for peace and comfort and God has put His Word into my heart to meditate on and I found peace in His instruction and more faith because He answers my deepest fears.

For instance, when I feel insecure in knowledge I think of:

(Joh 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

When I feel afraid that I might not measure up I have this reassurance from our Father:

(Rom 8:15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

(Rom 8:16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

(Rom 8:17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

(Rom 8:18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

(Rom 8:19) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

(Rom 8:20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

(Rom 8:21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Knowing the truth that the Spirit is bearing witness in me and onto my spirit is the reason I tremble I understand it works this feeling of fear, so I look forward to the hope and know that I have liberty in my faults as a child of God. One more answer I have as to why I fear when I can’t comprehend not seeing my faith clearly enough to suit me is this:

(Rom 8:24) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

(Rom 8:25) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

(Rom 8:26) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

So I’m just trying to be patient and keep my ears open for what God has for me.

 

Sure is......most don't want to.

 

Personal holiness is no less possible today than at any other time in history.

How?
Focus on the exceeding holiness of God and the exceeding sinfulness of the flesh
Realise that the battle with sin is an everyday, all the time battle
Spend time in the word of God and prayer
Look unto Jesus the originator and completer of our faith
etc

 

Amen and Amen.

One problem I see with some though as that they obsese with personal holiness for all the wrong reasons- which then is not holiness at all, but rather legalism which is most certainly unholy!

Some have their "standards" simply because it makes them "feel" like they are pleasing God. They strive for holiness so that they can feel like they have finally "arrived" at a high level of spiritual maturity.

Instead, the focus must be on glorifying God in all things. If this be the case, God will work in me to change me into the image of the King of all kings.

 

"Obedience is the very best way, to show that you beleive..."

Good post BB!

 

True holiness is a work of God, right? When we recognize our inability, then God has something to work with. But any 'holiness' that comes from obeying certain standards of men is a false holiness. And if we ever get to the place where we think ourselves holy, guess what?