Holiness of heart and life is an Opportunity, an Option and an Obligation.
1- AS AN OPPORTUNITY
God provides holiness of heart as a gift to believers. Through the redemptive work of Christ it is possible for a person who is dead in his sins and trespasses to become a child of God and for a child of God to be purified from all sin and to live a life of godliness in this present evil world. God provides everything that is necessary for life and godliness through Christ.
Opportunity... God Provides Holiness
1 Thessalonians 4:3
(3) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Ephesians 5:26-27
(26) That He (Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (the Church) 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.
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.
Hebrews 13:20-21
(20) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
(21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Peter 1:2-4
(3) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Ephesians 5:26-27
(26) That He (Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (the Church) 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.
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.
Hebrews 13:20-21
(20) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
(21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Peter 1:2-4
(2) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
(3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
(4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2- AS AN OPTION
God enables believers to choose the way of full salvation. Since God provides the grace to be holy, He also calls us to be holy. It has been said that God's call brings God's enabling. Whenever we are invited or commanded to do the will of God, it is because God is enabling us to freely obey or disobey His will. Whenever we choose to accept His work of grace it is because we are taking advantage of an option provided by God.
Option... God Enables Us To Choose Holiness
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.
Matthew 5:6
(6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
1 John 3:3
(3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Isaiah 1:16
(16) Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
(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.
Matthew 5:6
(6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
1 John 3:3
(3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Isaiah 1:16
(16) Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
3- AS AN OBLIGATION
God requires Holiness of heart and life. God provides the way of holiness and God enables us to choose His way of holiness because holiness of heart and life are obligatory for a right relationship with God. (***see verses below).
Obligation... God Requires Holiness.
Hebrews 12:14
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Matthew 5:8
(8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
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.
Psalms 24:3-4
(3) Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
(4) He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Matthew 5:8
(8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
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.
Psalms 24:3-4
(3) Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
(4) He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
Upward and Onward in Jesus,
Pastor David L. Gould
