Called to Holiness #2

Called to HOLINESS #2

We must seek a level of holiness that brings the Glory of God into our lives.

Discuss what is Holiness: Holiness is not: Being perfect, never sinning, never being tempted to sin its:

To be different
Set apart
To fulfill His purpose

To live our lives in a way that reflects God’s glory

John 1:14(Amp) – And the word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honour, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favour, loving-kindness) and truth.

Ephesians 1:4 (NIV) – For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 

Glory of God is prioritizing His honor, beauty, and magnificence above all else in your life.

It involves aligning your actions, words, and thoughts with His will and purpose, ultimately reflecting His character and demonstrating His love and power to the world.

It means choosing to glorify Goid in all you do, rather than seeking personal glory or recognition.

This might involve saying no to opportunities that would bring you praise but not glorify God.

John 5:44 – How is it possible for you to believe [how can you learn to believe], you who [are content to seek and] receive praise and honor and glory from one another, and yet do not seek the praise and honor and glory which come from Him Who alone is God?

This is a Crossroad scripture – Start good, end bad

Galatians 3:2-3 – “I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

For so many Christians:

They display a spirituality to impress man – compromising your values and principles to fit in with the ungodly.

Seeking honor and recognition from others – wanting validation from man.

Living to appear righteous

As long as you are being patted, recognized, praised and fussed about and the honor and glory is flowing then… you are a happy Christian.

Can one honestly say you are walking near to God when your motivation is the praise of man?

Here’s a clear sign:

We know we are relating correctly to God when our hunger for His glory makes us forsake the praise of man.

Greek for Glory is “Doxa”:  Glory is: to please – to be of a good reputation – to give honor – full of grace – love – kindness and truth

Hebrew for Glory is “Kavod”.  To show much splendor [prag, praal].

“A life of Holiness” is seeking to please God and seek His Glory. 

John 5:44 – how is it possible for you to believe, when you thrive on being recognized and praised by one another.

Jesus said it – Luke 16:15 -“He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

Who are you really trying to impress?

When we truly desire a life of holiness – seeking God, no one will have to tell us to be humble, to convince us of our old natures –

Colossians 3:2-7 – 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your[a] life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.

Holiness comes from seeking His Glory – here’s the promise:

If you take time to meet with God, you will meet Him

Jeremiah 29:13 (Amp) – “Then you will seek me, enquire for, and require me (as a vital necessity) and find me when you search for me with all your heart.”

Psalm 27:8(Amp) – you have said, seek my face (enquire for and require my presence as your vital need) my heart says to you your face (your presence) Lord will I seek.

As you touch Him, something will come alive in you.  Your life will become significant.

You’ll become effective in all you do and say.

People will be drawn to Jesus because of you.

We are talking about “Called to Holiness”.

The sad thing is many Christians have NO higher goal, NO greater aspiration than to live a normal in-effective, fairly boring Christian life.

1 Corinthians 3:3 – Paul rebuked the church in Corinth because they walked “LIKE mere man”. (A holy life is a set apart life)

He asks – where is the holiness – difference?.

Listen – God has so much more for us than just becoming better people.

Romans 8:11 – He wants to flood our lives with the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

If we are going to be Holy, we must break away from desiring just an average life.

We must seek a level of Holiness that brings the Glory of God into our lives.

Jonathan Edwards – 18th century revivalist:
”Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.”

The means to holiness is grace.  Holiness is a product of grace.

You may be thinking, I’ll never achieve this teaching in my condition.  Then you have only heard half the message.

Grace is in the heart of all Gods’ truth.  Truth without grace is only half-true.

John 1:17 – Grace and truth are in JESUS.

For while the law was given through Moses, grace (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ.

What God’s truth demands, His grace will provide.

Romans 6:22 – But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in Holiness and its end is eternal life.

“Holiness is a lifestyle” Seeking to walk close to the Glory of God.  Holiness is doing all within one’s power to become more like Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:18(Amp) – And all of us, as with unveiled face [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from on degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.