Perfecting Holiness

October 11

In I Thessalonians 4:7, Paul says, “God did not call us to be impure but to live holy lives.” This flies in the face of those who rationalize sin and assure ourselves that God understands who we are and as long as we do our best we will certainly be given entry through heaven’s portals.

This statement affirms that He has far loftier expectations for us. Paul expands upon this concept in Ephesians 1:4-6 where he says, “God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of His glorious grace which He has freely given us…”

It is exciting to contemplate the magnitude of opportunity we have to transcend our human condition and tap into the heavenly state He makes available to us. We understand that He desires all men to appropriate the gift of holiness that Christ has supplied for us. We know He died to set all men free from sin. He has predestined us to dwell with Him, if we will but receive the gift.

Common sense dictates our choice, but some deny the veracity of the only viable decision that lies before us. II Corinthians 7:1 tells us that, “Since we have these promises…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” This negates any rationale that would establish us in a worldly state when holiness is our Christ-given portion.