Pursuing Holiness
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15
The Bible says that without Christ we can’t be holy. It also makes clear that even with Him, it will not be a short, easy trip to get there, but it is an expectation God has for His people (Ephesians 1:4).
Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” The NKJV says ”Pursue” holiness.
This is not going to be a simple process for people with a sin nature. But, we serve a merciful Lord and so He’s given us His Holy Spirit to enable us to strive and pursue holiness. In His grace, He’s left us with His word to teach us what efforts we need to make to achieve it.
Colossians 3 gives us some instructions.
The context here is that the Colossians were being exposed to false teachers, Paul is warning them. These teachers were emphasizing angel worship, the observation of special feast days, and asceticism or self-denial. Paul had just told them in chapter 2 that they were not to submit to these rules as they had died to the world and these were worldly ideas (Colossians 2:16-19).
In the last verse of chapter two Paul had given them this warning, “These have, indeed, an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh (Colossians 2:23).”
How many of us are living in a self-made religion keeping a list of rules? Following these earthly practices of religion were (and remain) futile in growing the knowledge of Christ that Paul was trying to encourage among these believers.
Colossians 3:1 states, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Worldly ideas of holiness make for a worldly religion. Paul said, set your eyes on things above. In other words, do what God says not what man says.
The next verse says, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Holiness is death to self and life lived with and for Christ. He is to be our life. We die to ourselves and He is the One who gives life that offers the hope of appearing with Him in glory.
“Appearing with Him in glory” is a sure hope for eternity. Regardless of how hard it is to be holy here we have the promise of a future in paradise when we strive for holiness!
What worldly religious practices do we need to give up in order to pursue holiness?
Convicting words, Beth! SO thankful God sent us Jesus to pay the price of our sins. We can never earn God’s grace, but I’m grateful for His gift.
Amen to that, Jessica! The gift of grace is a wonderful thing! I pray that, in His grace, our Savior will reveal those things to us that do not please Him so we can “put on” holiness by the power we have from His Spirit in us!
Truth!
I love that word! Thanks.
Amen, Beth! There’s no easy road that leads to holiness. The Lord commands us to be holy as He is Holy. Yet, He knows, without Christ, as you so beautifully said, it’s impossible. Because our flesh battles against holiness wanting only to pursue the indulgences the world offers. And I so agree with this: “How many of us are living in a self-made religion keeping a list of rules? Following these earthly practices of religion were (and remain) futile in growing the knowledge of Christ that Paul was trying to encourage among these believers.”
I believe the path to growing in the knowledge of Christ and becoming more and more holy is partly found in Galatians 2:20-21, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” (ESV)
Thanks, Karen, Remembering that we are “crucified with Christ” will certainly add to our ability to remember that we are new creatures in Him. By that knowledge, we should grow in faith and holiness. Thanks for sparking more thought on this topic if holiness.
It is definitely a struggle to be holy as Christ is holy. At least it is when we are aiming for it with a list of man’s rules and doing so without the power of the Holy Spirit. Holiness is also being set-apart for God’s purposes. While we may not obey perfectly, we can daily surrender our lives to the Lord and say, “May your will be done, not mine.” Still, it’s hard to die to self and pick up our cross to follow Jesus. It’s not a life of comfort, that’s for sure. Wonderful post, Beth. Thought-provoking.
Thank you Marcie, You are right that without the power of the Holy Spirit, we will fail at any level on holiness. With Him, we have hope of doing more of God’s will than our own.
A good word to remember every day: “Holiness is death to self and life lived with and for Christ. He is to be our life. We die to ourselves and He is the One who gives life that offers the hope of appearing with Him in glory.”
Good word, Beth. Holiness is a threatening word in this day & age. Last week I heard Miriam Swaffield at New Room Conference say we have thought of holiness like wearing white skinny jeans – have to be careful where we sit, where we go, what we do, what we eat or drink. Anything can soil our skinny jean holiness. But she said holiness is the bleach. It’s what makes us pure & clean. It’s always available to be poured out. She said take it where it’s needed most, the dirtiest of places, and splash it all around. Jesus.
Thanks Dottie, Interesting teaching because we do want to make sure we are not just living by a list of rules. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks Nancy. Now, to live it out!
Each one of those epistles has such good, practical instruction for living the Christian life. Chapter three of that letter is packed with application as a follow up on that teaching of setting aside asceticism and any other false attempt to get to Christ. We don’t want the appearance of godliness, but real walking by faith in the Spirit as we grow closer to the Lord. Great post!
Amen on that real walking faith, Melinda! Thanks!
This is a constant prayer and choice especially when we face trials and temptations. Thank you for a timely encouraging post!
I am glad you found it encouraging, Ava! Thanks.