Here are some loosely connected thoughts related to holiness, the theme of last Sunday's message:
First, holiness is both positive and negative. As God calls us to holiness, he calls us to leave all that detracts from treating ourselves with respect and treating others with the reverence they deserve as children of God. Examples would include the following: pornography, lust, hatred, greed. This is the negative aspects of holiness, we're called and empowered by God to say no to things that hurt us and others. The positive aspect of holiness is then living out of our new relationship with God through Christ in love. Holiness is a fulfilling of the great commandment to love God and love others.
Second, you can’t be holy alone. Perhaps that statement needs to be audited. But for now, I want to stay true to it. Holiness is relational through and through. Augustine believed that charity is the quintessential virtue for the Christian; and he also taught that holiness, defined by charity, leads us to others. John Wesley believed there could be no holiness but social holiness. Both of these men were standing on the foundation of scripture in making these statements. When Isaiah talks about holiness he resorts to the themes of justice and mercy, as does the other prophets in the OT. Paul speaks of love and hospitality in Romans 12-15. Then read 1 Peter. Peter calls the church to holiness but continues to define holiness relationally. Holiness is personal (we all must appropriate, personally, what God has done in Christ), but holiness is not private (we can’t be holy on our own). In short, we’re called to be holy together.
Third, and related to everything else I've said, holiness makes us better at communal life. Sin separates us from God, from ourselves, and from others. That was the point of the illustration with the cardboard cutouts. Sin keeps us from our true selves by making it very difficult to fellowship with others. But as we grow closer to God, and as he speaks to us about our sin, we also draw closer to others. This is the trajectory of the Law, the Prophets, Jesus, and Paul.
Finally, holiness is a gift. I can’t emphasize this enough. Holiness is not something we obtain in our own strength. We have been made alive in Christ. In Christ we are made holy. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians, speaking to knuckleheads no less: “But you were washed, you were sanctified (made holy), you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (6.11). Paul believes they already have the foundation of sanctification (holiness). Yet this does not mean we stay as we are. Instead, we must appropriate all that God has done for us. We must become who we are. John Wesley believed we must strive with God’s strength to pursue a holiness of heart and life, to respond to the gift that has been given to us. Such is our call.
Peace!
2 comments:
The attribute of Holiness or of being Holy has been for years, in my mind, God's unique domain. ie. The Father, The Son, The Holy Ghost. That great Christian hymn Holy! Holy! Holy! with pipe organ booming, as a young lad, rightly impressed that upon my soul. I could hope, through Jesus, to be made righteous and upright while living out my life, but to be Holy was when I would receive my glorified body at his coming.
I appreciate your lesson, David, on the relational dimensions of Holiness. So much of the focus during my life has been one dimensional (and pretty selfish and infintile really) concentrating on my relationship with God and not relating to how that could apply to my brethern or the lost. This has caused an imbalance in my life and witness. My development, therefore, is pretty stunted and isolated because my relationship with the people of God has been at best slim and at worst aloof.
Your lesson last Sunday has been "liberating" to me because I understand that God desires a Holy Convocation; a healthy body of grateful believers who put hands and feet in action to worship him in Spirit and Truth.
The reading of Hebrews 13:20 and 13:21 has a new measure of vibrance and power of meaning in the light of "Holiness Together". Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen
Thanks. I would encourage you to continue your search by reading Paul's prayers for the churches. He often resorts to the theme of holiness. Paul prays that his churches would be found holy at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here's what I mean:
Phil. 1.9-10
1 Thess. 5.23-24
1 Thess. 2.19
Romans 15.15-16
2 Cor. 1.12-14
To state the obvious: Paul's goal is community formation, not jut the formation of an individual Christian.
This way of thinking rocks my world. It's so different from the individualism that has shaped me.
Keep up the good work!
Peace,
David S.
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