Holiness and Sanctity

What is holiness? What is sanctity? The terms holiness and sanctity mean set apart for the Lord. God is Holy and He requires His children to be holy also. “He which has called you is Holy, so you be holy in all manner of conversation (conduct), because it is written: ‘Be holy, for I am Holy’” (1 Pet. 1:15, 16 and see Lev. 11:44).

Some believe that sanctity or sainthood is attained after death. But, nowhere is such a belief taught in the Bible. Rather, it is emphasized in its pages that sanctity or holiness are required of every Christian who is born again, a child of God and a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our sanctification. (1 Cor. 1:30.)

In his Sermon on the Mount, our Lord gave another commandment to His disciples in different words: “Be perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). In this text, the Lord exhorts us to be perfect or mature. But how? Obviously, the Lord was speaking of spiritual perfection or maturity.

However, we must remember that God is Spirit and therefore we should diligently work with God towards growing spiritually. We do this by allowing God to finish the work that He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6). It is simply a matter of total obedience to His will for us. Spiritual perfection (or maturity in Christ) is possible in this present life and should be the principal goal of every believing Christian.

Writing to the brethren in Ephesus, Eph. 1:4, the Apostle Paul says, “We should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” Many people believe that to be holy, a person must wear a long face, hold his hands in a prayerful attitude, forget to smile or laugh, divorce himself from everyday problems and activities, and lead an ascetic life of prayer and contemplation of the world beyond. This is not the biblical concept of holiness. Jesus and the Apostles were men of action, busy with everyday activities ~ preaching, discussing, exhorting, and left us an example of what the Christian life truly is. We should follow their example of holiness.

The Temple of God

During this Gospel Age (the period between the first and second coming of Christ) God is, chiseling, shaping and polishing living stones, transforming them to eventually be placed in the spiritual temple He is building - Zion! The Church -- the City of God -- the New Jerusalem that will come down from above (Hebrew 11:10; Revelation 21:1-4).

In Ephesians 2:19-22 the Apostle Paul explains this very clearly, “Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grows into a holy temple in the Lord: In whom you also are built together for a dwelling place of God through the Spirit.”

Has God selected and called you because you are better than someone else? More prominent, wealthier, and full of worldly wisdom with brilliant parents, or was it because of your race and skin color? It was for none of these reasons. God does not look upon the exterior of man but on his heart. (Read the story of David in 1 Samuel 15 and see why God chose him over his brothers.) The Apostle Paul says in 1 Cor. 1:26-29: “For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” So, if you have been called by God, rejoice in humility and seek to make your calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10).

We are greatly privileged to have been called by the Almighty to become His child, a beloved son or daughter, a member of His divine family, a precious stone in His spiritual temple. Again, the Apostle Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” Note the words of warning: “If any man defile the temple of God, him will God destroy.” Great as the privilege is which we have been given, so also the responsibility involved with it is a great one. We cannot mock God, for whatever we sow, we shall also reap (Galatians 6:7).

Spiritual Conditions Among Christians

Perhaps the letters to the seven Churches of Asia (Rev. 2 and 3) describe best the various spiritual conditions of Christians, the called-out ones. Some of these churches had gone away from the ordinances of the Lord. Jesus called upon them to repent. The Ephesus Church had started very strongly, but had forsaken their first love. They had been so caught up in works that they had forgotten Jesus, their first love. The Church of Pergamos had allowed some to practice the eating of food sacrificed to idols instead of the bread that came down from heaven, and even permitted sexual immorality. The Thyatira Church had been seduced by the Jezebel influence, which was leading them into idolatry. The Church at Sardis was judged as having the reputation of being alive, but they were actually dead spiritually and were told to “wake up.” The Laodecean Church had become lukewarm in their fervor for the Lord because of their worldly affluence. Still, a hope was always held out to the members of those Churches who would overcome these things and they were given many precious promises: “I will give them the right to eat from the tree of life….” (Rev. 2:7). “To eat of the hidden manna…” (Rev. 2:17). “I will give him power over the nations” (Rev. 2:26). “They will walk with Me in white” (Rev. 3:4, 5). “I will give them the right to sit with Me on my throne” (Rev. 3:21). What is our spiritual condition -- yours and mine? Have we been drifting with the tide, sleeping a little, loafing a little, indulging in some worthless activity to the neglect of growing in grace, knowledge, holiness and sanctification toward spiritual maturity which is the will of our Father and Lord Jesus Christ for us?

If we have become sleepy or lax, it is time to awaken (Rom. 13:11) to our privileges and responsibilities. Our Christian life may need an overhauling, a cleansing, and a purifying. Ask yourself, ‘Am I living a life wholly dedicated to Jesus and the glory of God? Does God have first place in my heart, my mind, my plans, my time, my finances and in all my daily activities? Do I devote a good part of my time in Bible study, prayer, witnessing of His love to others? Am I full of zeal, humility, and patience? Am I willing to be chiseled, shaped and polished by God? Am I truly seeking to bring praise, honor and glory to God?’

If we can answer these questions in the affirmative, then it can be said of you and of me that we are living a life of true holiness, full of devotion to God; that we are part of that chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; that we are truly His “peculiar” (special) people, that we should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). If this is so -- PRAISE GOD!

Gaetano Boccaccio