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All are born as Sinners but a few become holy by
the Grace of God.
God commands his people to become holy. Since God commands us to be holy, it must be
possible to live holy
if we are for it.
God,
the creator of the universe, is holy and righteous. He is impartial towards
Jews and Gentiles or Christians and Non-Christians. As a human being we are all born as
sinners. But God wants to promote us as sons/daughters
and to be joint heirs with Jesus Christ so that
we inherit the kingdom of heaven.
"Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom. Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ..."
Most Christians think this status is free for the asking. But
there is a pre-requisite for this privilege that we must become holy as he is
holy.
Holiness is not
our physical capability, but it is the conduct of morality which is the fruit of godly purpose.
Even though, holiness
is just the opposite of our natural instincts, it is possible
for us to build our
godly purpose in life by the grace of God
in order to attain holiness. Grace is not a free pass to heaven.
But, it will change us so that we may live a holy life. The reward for
holy living is the inheritance in heaven.
Isaiah 6:3 tells of the seraphims in worship:
"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of
hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."
The same is told in
"Rev 4:8:
… they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty..."
It seems that even though God has unique power attributes of omnipotence,
omnipresence and omniscience he has more regard for his character attribute of
holiness, which every person can have. Nobody can attain his power
attributes. So, instead of demanding a power attribute, God
requires us to be holy as he is holy.
Our
Lord God asks us to be holy. Most of us think that it is impossible for humans
to live a holy life. Some of us challenge the idea of a man becoming holy
without even realizing that God is the one asking us to be holy. Critics even
say that nobody was shown to have lived a holy life in the Bible. With the
understanding that everyone was born a sinner, with the exception of Jesus
Christ, the following references demonstrate that people have lived and are now
living holy lives.
God
has brought the scriptures through holy men. They were ordinary men lived a holy
life and were used of God. "Acts
3:21 ---, God hath spoken by the mouth of all
his holy prophets .... 2 Pet 1:21
--- holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost."
The
apostles are holy. Ordinary fishermen, a tax collector etc, became disciples and
were promoted as apostle s. They became holy.
"Eph
3:5 … it is now revealed unto his holy
apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Rev
18:20 …, and ye holy apostles and prophets;
for God hath avenged you on her."
Apostle Paul and workers were living a holy life.
"1Thes
2:10 Ye are witnesses,
and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves
among you that believe:"
Jesus
Christ is coming again to receive those that are holy (both dead and alive). If
the second coming of Jesus Christ is certain, it can also be certain there are
holy people on earth waiting for his coming.
Rev 20:6
says,
"Blessed and holy is he that
hath part in the first resurrection:"
If
these people have lived a holy life and some of us are living a holy life now,
it is possible that the rest of us also can live a holy life. Every society has
an acceptable standard for living, also known as moral standards or laws. How
an individual lives within the confines of the standards becomes his character.
God’s standard for everyone is to have holiness for character. God is neither
male nor female. He is Spirit. God has created man and woman in his image.
However, the physical body of man or woman is not the image of God, but it is
the soul and the spirit. If our physical body dominates the soul and the
spirit, we cannot live a holy life. However, if our spirit and soul dominate
our life, it is possible that we live a holy life and we can have character
similar to God.
God is
calling his people to be holy as he is holy. "Lev
11:45 For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out
of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am
holy. (Additional reference Lev 19:2)
With human nature, it is impossible for us to be holy. But it is possible
with the grace of God. So, let us receive grace of God and let us become holy.
1Pet 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."
Grace of God is granted to us through the revelation of Jesus Christ to
enable us to be holy. Most Christians think that Jesus of Nazareth is God and
Jesus Christ is a man. Seldom Christians know when and how the begotten Son was
born. If we receive grace by the revelation of Jesus Christ, if we cannot live
holy life without grace, we better study the word of God humbly and prayerfully
in order to receive the
revelation of Jesus Christ.
Holy
life starts as we detach ourselves from the source of sin. Then we shall become
the children of God and holiness shall become a way of life.
"2 Cor 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will
be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith
the Lord Almighty. 7:1
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."
Churches contain both good seed and tares. Godly people are wheat and
worldly people are tares. This is told through a parable in
Matt 13:24-30, 36-43.
Godly people will strive for holiness, but others will not.
Wheat Christians will continue in the Word of
God, become disciples, know the truth and be converted into new persons, who
follow Jesus Christ.
John 8:31 says,
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word,
then are ye my disciples indeed; 32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
The freedom Jesus refers to here is the freedom from sin, which is also the
freedom to live a holy life.
"James
4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist
the devil, and he will flee from you."
"1Peter
2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should
follow his steps: 22
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was
reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed
himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being
dead to sins, should live unto righteousness…"
Jesus Christ has lived a holy life in order to
leave a sample life for us so that we follow his foot steps and become holy. He died
for us so that we, being dead to sins, live unto righteousness, which is a holy
life.
We are
all born as sinners. However, we must be holy in order to meet Jesus Christ at
his second coming. Becoming holy is a process and the duration depends on our
commitment, determination and dedication. False Christians (Tare) believe in
some ceremony for instant holiness, which is counterfeit. But, true Christians
(Wheat) join the process to become holy. They will grow in God as they
will
become holy. Let us see how this process works in the light of the Word of
God.
Let
us first accept the fact that we are born with an instinct to sin and we commit
sin. We must decide never to justify our sin.
This is the beginning of the process. Now, God’s plan for us is to redeem us
from the bondage of this sinning instinct. "1John
1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1John
2:1 My little children, these things write I unto
you, that ye sin not."
If we
repent and confess our sins to God with broken heart and contrite spirit God
will forgive all our sins that were committed in the past.
"Rom 3:25
... for the remission of sins that are past …
Psa 34:18 The LORD is
nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a
contrite spirit.1John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Further he will clean
us from all unrighteousness,
which is the unjust aptitudes, so that we will not sin again.
However, after when we are delivered from the bondage of sin, we should not
forget that we were sinners in the past. This
does not mean that we will continue to sin.
"1John 1:10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is
not in us. But
those who continue to sin are of the devil.
1John 3:8 He
that committeth sin is of the devil."
True believers love God and obey his commandments.
But, Christians who do not obey God
also say that they love God.
Some of them boastfully say that they know him. But God says they are liars. "John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments…
21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he
it is that loveth me:… 24
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:
1 John 2:3 And
hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth
his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected:
hereby know we that we are in him." Those
who love God are in him, which means they abide in him.
"1John 2:6
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also
so to walk, even as he walked." Many
Christians have learned to say flowery words without living a godly life. But,
if we say we abide in God we must prove it through our holy life.
God
gives ministers to the Church so that they may lead the saints (wheat) in
holiness that is similar to that of Jesus Christ.
"Eph
4:11
And he
gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers;
12
For
the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13
Till
we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.".
However, God gives caution about false workers. They will teach that Jesus
Christ will deposit his holiness into your account since you cannot live holy.
Worldly Christians (tares) follow them.
God
gives gifts of the Holy Spirit
to believers of the Church for their spiritual profit.
"1Cor 12:7
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every
man to profit withal. 8
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to
another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to
another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to
another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers
kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh
that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." However,
manifestations of gifts are not proof for godliness since God gives these gifts
even to rebellious (disobedient) people.
"Psalm 68:18
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received
gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD
God might dwell among them. Eph 4:8 … When he ascended up on high, he
led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."
Rebellious men use the gifts and the name of God for
their own profit and glory. They are false preachers.
Grace
never takes a sinning person to heaven. But grace will convert a person from
sinning to holy living, which is saving from sin.
"Eph 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to
the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the
spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all
had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling
the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of
wrath, even as others. 4
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we
were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace
ye are saved;)" These people are saved from
sinning and living holy lives by the grace of God.
"Eph
2:10... we are his workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that
we should walk in them. Eph 4:24
…ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness. Eph 1:4
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame…"
We are God’s workmanship created in righteousness and
holiness without blame so that we should live holy life. For this purpose God
has chosen us in Christ Jesus even before the foundation of the world.
We are
born in the body of flesh. God tells us that we must be born of the spirit.
"John 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be
born again." When we accept Jesus Christ as
our Lord, that is when we accept to obey his commandments, God gives us the
spirit of man so that we are born of the spirit.
"John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them
gave he power to become the sons of God, … 13
Which were born, not of blood, nor
of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Now,
the spirit that we just received desires the things against the flesh. We
should put the flesh down and lift up the spirit. It is hard work.
"Romans 8:1…
no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit... 4
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit.…
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the
Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you…13
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit
do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
But,
it is easier said than done. We stagger in spite of the help of the spirit of
man and the Holy Spirit.
Our
perfect obedience will lead us to the abiding of the Holy Spirit, the Father and
the Son. "John
14:17… the
Spirit of truth… for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you…
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a
man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we
will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
We
find it very hard to obey his commandments. But God seems to think it is easy.
"1John 5:3
… his commandments are not grievous. 4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh…" The
key is that if we love him enough to follow him or rather come to him, then Jesus
will do the rest. "Matt
11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light."
Jesus Christ will teach us how to obey if we are
willing to learn of him. He says it is easy. Believe him. Trust him. He will
guide us.
Eph
5:25 says, "Christ
also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with
the washing of water by the word, 27
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
Here, washing of the water by the word means that God will purify his saints by
his word. That is, Jesus reveals his word to them and they follow and become
holy without blame.
We
can live holy through Jesus Christ. "Gal
2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: …
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: …"
Here, the abiding of Christ in the believer is the
grace of God. However, this abiding
should be verified. "1John
3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:
whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him….
9 Whosoever is born of
God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he
cannot sin, because he is born of God." If
Jesus Christ lives in us then he is living our lives. If he lives our lives,
then we will not sin because he will not sin. Thus, we will live a holy life.
Most
of us believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ. But, without holiness we
cannot see him.
"Heb
12:14
… holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."
Those who believe in his coming should strive to be pure as Jesus is pure in
order to receive his glory.
"1John
3:2…
when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he
is.
3
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is
pure."
Then we will become holy and inherit God’s kingdom.
"Rev
21:9…
Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife…
11
Having the glory of God."
God’s mercy joins us and his grace ordains us in the school of holiness.
God Bless You
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False Believers
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the
word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine. 3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their
own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from
the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Matt 13:24 Another
parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a
man which sowed good seed in his field: 25
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went
his way. 26
But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the
tares also. 27
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou
sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them,
An enemy hath done this.
Eph 4:17 This I say
therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other
Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18
Having the understanding darkened, being
alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of
the blindness of their heart: 19
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work
all uncleanness with greediness. 20
But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye
have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off
concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to
the deceitful lusts; 23
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on
the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
2 Tim 3:4 Traitors,
heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort
are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins,
led away with divers lusts, 7
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Obedience and Eternal Life
Acts 5:29 Then Peter
and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of
our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God
exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance
to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom
God hath given to them that obey him.
Romans 2:5 But after
thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the
day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to
every man according to his deeds: 7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek
for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Romans 6:16 Know ye
not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to
whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God
be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart
that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Gal 5:7 Ye did run
well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
2 Thess 1:6 Seeing
it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble
you; 7 And
to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels, 8
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the
Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Heb 5:8 Though he
were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made
perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey
him;
Heb 13:16 But to do
good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well
pleased. 17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for
your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and
not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
1 Peter 4:17 For the
time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin
at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Alleluia
John 3:7 -You must be
Born Again
Mailing Address
Pastor Isaac Livingston
Alleluia Church of God
P.O. Box 962
Oak Park, IL 60303, USA
Comments or Suggestions
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God Bless You
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