“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”” (1Pe 1:14-16 NAS)
In response to a plea to Christians that they should live righteous lives, a person stated the following: Holiness without grace is unattainable.
What does this statement mean? Have we received grace to live holy? If we have received grace have we attained holiness? Can we become holy without grace?
Since all have sinned it would then follow that without grace holiness is unattainable. The gospel states that if we repent of our sins that He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is the grace that has come to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the grace (or favor) of God does not end here for we receive God’s Holy Spirit when we are born again. As God’s children the grace of God continues to work in our lives enabling us to do as Peter instructs us, to be holy in all of our behavior.
There are two very distinct teachings as to how the grace of God works so we attain holiness. One popular version is that if we trust in God’s grace our sins will not be held against us. If we trust Jesus we can rely upon His righteousness. When God then looks at us He sees only Jesus righteousness and His atoning grace.
The other version is that God’s grace works through His Spirit to enable us to live holy or righteously. Since we begin as babes this process is an educational process just as it is when we raise our children. It will include teaching, exhorting, correcting, and various disciplines that may include rebuke, chastisement, and spanking. Our holiness then requires us to listen, learn, practice, and to be in submission to all of the disciplines of our Lord.
The first version has created a tendency for people to ignore the writings of the Old Testament, much of Paul’s writings, and the letters to the seven Churches. Instead the focus is placed upon worship and a craving for signs and wonders. Churches are filled with people seeking affirmation and an atmosphere that promises a spiritual high.
The second version requires more from us. We have to study to be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. We have to gain wisdom and experience by putting the knowledge of God to practice in our daily lives. We must seek understanding so that we have a heart like our Lord’s. And yes God’s grace is helping us in all these endeavors.
“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.” (Ac 17:11 NAS)
It is easy to forget that the early Church did not have the New Testament scriptures. The Apostles teachings were accepted because when they were evaluated by the Old Testament scriptures they were found to be true. Today there are many would downplay the value of the Old Testament. For this reason many have no standard in which to gauge what is righteous and holy and are easily led astray. God and His righteousness forever remain the same. because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”” (1Pe 1:14-16 NAS)
Bob