HOLINESS OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD

1 Pet 1:16-17

Morning Meditation

1 Peter 1:15-16, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

THERE IS A HOLINESS THAT IS POSITIONAL

This holiness is true of every truly born again son of God. Hebrews 12:14, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" This holiness is imputed to the believer the moment he is saved.

1 Corinthians 1:2, "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:" The word sanctified is from a word that means “pure, or holy.” And it is in Christ that the Corinthians were sanctified.

Hebrews 2:11, "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren," Again the word “sanctified” means to make holy.

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." The believer is a “new creature.” He is created in Christ by an act of the Holy Spirit of God.

Hebrews 10:10, "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:14, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Col 1:22 “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” This is positional holiness.

We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ not by human effort.

THERE IS ALSO A HOLINESS THAT IS EXPERIENTIAL

This is the holiness that Peter is talking about.: "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." The verb “be ye” is in the imperative mood which is a command that requires obedience. It is something that one can do, i.e. they are commanded to be holy.

The believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Ghost: 1Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” The indwelling Holy Spirit empowers the believer to live a holy life.

We are saved to live a holy life” 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 before him in love:”

We are called a holy priesthood: 1 Peter 2:5, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."

The Lord expects us to become what we are in Christ. To live a holy life is to live a separated life. It is not easy. It will bring persecution. The unsaved world does not like to be exposed by the righteous life of the believer. It is amazing. Just live a holy life and see how uncomfortable it makes an unbeliever.

God says be ye holy for I am holy. Holiness is possible because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

May the Lord bless you.

In Christ

Bro. White