Not having a consistent and compelling support system of other Christians, churches and pastors who believed, lived, preached and taught holiness of heart and life has been one of the greatest disappointments and hindrances to reaching people with this wonderful, liberating message.
Even when I belonged to holiness denominations, there were relatively few who really held to the faith. Often I looked like the lone kook, not only to those outside of our church, but to those who were only hearing the doctrine from me.
And what a shame, since holiness of heart and life is God's plan, provision and proof in a sin saturated society.
2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1
(16) 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.
(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.
2 Corinthians 7:1
(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.
Galatians 1:4
(4) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Ephesians 1:4
(4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
(7) For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
(8) He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Titus 2:11-15
(11) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
(12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
(13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
(14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
(15) These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Hebrews 12:14
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness (the sanctification), without which no man shall see the Lord:
1 John 3:1-9
(1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
(2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, 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.
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
(5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
(6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
(7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
(8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
(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.
FYI...
Holiness is the Biblical term applied to the state and behavior of those who love God with the whole heart.
2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1
(16) 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.
(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.
2 Corinthians 7:1
(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.
Galatians 1:4
(4) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Ephesians 1:4
(4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
(7) For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
(8) He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Titus 2:11-15
(11) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
(12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
(13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
(14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
(15) These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Hebrews 12:14
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness (the sanctification), without which no man shall see the Lord:
1 John 3:1-9
(1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
(2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, 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.
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
(5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
(6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
(7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
(8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
(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.
FYI...
Holiness is the Biblical term applied to the state and behavior of those who love God with the whole heart.
Holiness is not measured by outward appearance (since anyone can "appear" to be a dedicated Christian"), but it does guide the way we live our lives.
Holiness is a term that means, "Separated to God and separated from sin." Holiness of heart is the work of God, in that He purifies the heart of the believer from all sin, and holiness of life is when a believer joyfully lives his life under the rule of Christ.
Biblical holiness has nothing to do with legalism or self righteousness or works of the flesh. In fact, holiness is the sure cure from these spiritual maladies.
Holiness is the fullness of God's Spirit in the totally surrendered heart and life of a believer.
Biblical holiness has nothing to do with legalism or self righteousness or works of the flesh. In fact, holiness is the sure cure from these spiritual maladies.
Holiness is the fullness of God's Spirit in the totally surrendered heart and life of a believer.
