Summary:

In order to live a life of holiness, we must align our thinking with God’s Word so that His power and favor can flow through us. Holiness must be a way of life for the Christian.

  1. Even when faced with trials and persecution, we must keep our focus on the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:10-17, AMP).
    1. Renewing our minds with the Word is the foundation for holiness.
      1. Holiness is being of one mind with God.
    2. Time spent studying the Scriptures is time well spent.
      1. Successful Christians spend a considerable amount of time studying the Word.
      2. The more time we spend renewing our minds with the Word, the more we develop holiness.
    3. Two steps to developing holiness are:
      1. Choosing God
      2. Perfecting holiness
  2. God has set two choices before us—life and death (Deuteronomy 30:15-20).
    1. God graciously gives us the opportunity to choose Him; He commands us to love and obey Him for our own good.
      1. Those who decide to reject God are headed for destruction.
      2. True holiness involves choosing God and everything that is holy and acceptable in His sight.
  3. In order to live holy, we must place certain boundaries around our lives.
    1. For example, we should cautiously choose our friends.
      1. We imitate the people with whom we spend the most time.
      2. Evil communication and lifestyles corrupt good manners.
      3. People who do not have the same belief in God that we do can cause us to doubt Him (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
      4. It only takes a little doubt to cause us to be defeated as Christians.
      5. Christians should not respect the world’s standards more than they respect God’s standards.
    2. “Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Matthew 7:13, 14).
      1. It is not wise to choose a path in life simply because everyone else is choosing it.
      2. We must choose the best path for our lives, which is holiness.
      3. However, we have to make the decision on our own. Neither God nor anyone else can make the decision for us.
    3. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12).
      1. At times, we are offered opportunities that seem right based on the opinions of others or the world.
      2. However, certain opportunities or paths in life can separate us from God and His provision.
      3. We must acknowledge God in all we do.
    4. “Whoever despises the Word [of God] brings destruction upon himself, but he who (reverently) fears and respects the commandment [of God] shall be rewarded” (Proverbs 13:13, AMP).
      1. When we honor God’s Word, He honors us.
      2. However, when we lightly esteem His Word, He will lightly esteem our requests.
  4. Holiness Versus Righteousness
    1. “For he that made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
      1. We were made sinners because of Adam’s sin. We did not do anything to be sinners except be born.
      2. When Jesus died on the cross 2,000 years ago, He took our sin in exchange for His righteousness. We were brought into right standing with God.
      3. When an unbeliever makes Jesus his or her personal Lord and Savior, he or she becomes righteous in God’s eyes.
      4. Therefore, we cannot work for our righteousness because we have already been made righteous through Jesus’ sacrifice.
    2. “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” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
      1. We can become more holy, but not more righteous.
      2. While righteousness is a gift, holiness is a way of life.
      3. We commit to a lifestyle of holiness when we choose God.
      4. Holiness does not come to us without effort; we must decide to live holy.
    3. To live holy, we must separate ourselves from thinking that opposes God’s Word (Hebrews 12:1-4).
      1. For example, sin is an unnecessary weight that can keep us from developing in holiness.
      2. Sin weakens our confidence and hinders our relationship with God.

Scripture References:

  • 2 Timothy 3:10-17, AMP
  • Deuteronomy 30:15-20
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
  • Matthew 7:13, 14
  • Proverbs 14:12
  • Proverbs 13:13, AMP
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • 2 Corinthians 7:1
  • Hebrews 12:1-4

Pastor Robert Bagonza

Senior Pastor Redeemed Church

www.mrolec.org