Holiness Is...

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Category: Holiness

Published on Tuesday, 28 April 2009 21:44

Written by Ryan Hicks

HOLINESS IS...

By Ryan Hicks

There is much talk of holiness among those that are sanctified by faith that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Besides the standard definition of holiness which is widely given, I think that a better and more expounded definition of holiness should be given that touches more deeply on the glorious way of life that we live called holiness.

Holiness is an abandonment of the things of this world for all the will of God. Even the slightest objection to giving one's self over to the will of God is cast down. The person walking in holiness is in such a state of glorious obedience to God that they can praise God in the good and in the bad; in afflictions and in blessings; in necessities and in abundance; in persecution and in honor; and any experience of life, they are unshaken and stable in their walk of holiness with their God. They can turn the worst experience into spiritual gold and be blessed in the least of circumstances.

Holiness is a purity of motive. The Lord Jesus said, "The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness" (Luke 11:34). The single eye is the purity of motive to where the whole body is full of light and darkness has no place therein. Such holiness is not a mere outward cleanliness to which one can proclaim their holiness before man, but fulfills that and also entails and inner cleanliness to which one can examine their hearts before the light of God's word and by the leading of His Spirit and be found pure before both God and man.

Holiness is a personal power over one's own life and walk with the Lord. The motives are pure, the eye is single, and the will of God is given the preeminence. There is a strong sense of direction and control over one's life and faith. Wavering, doubt, and unbelief, are replaced by faith, hope, and charity (1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Holiness is an abstaining from all evil and even the appearance of evil, as the word of God says, "Abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

Holiness is a power over Satan, his devils, and all of his works. This power comes from submission to God. All one must do while walking in holiness is resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7). The word of God says it thus, "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not" (1 John 5:18). Unclean spirits come to the one walking in holiness and find a clean house filled with the power and faith of God. They have no place to be found in the saint and cannot come back into the habitation they once made in the individual like they can with those that are not walking in holiness (Matthew 12:43-45).

Holiness is a personal boldness with God and man, as it is written, "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:13).

Holiness is a boldness with men in preaching, teaching, instructing, correcting, and rebuking (Acts 4:13, 29, 31; 13:46; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Timothy 3:13). While one may be unlearned, the boldness and faith of God coming forth from the holiness believer can expound on mysteries the most learned could not explain. This boldness is not that of the natural man which is loud and overbearing. It is a humbled boldness led by the Spirit of God.

Holiness is a boldness with God in faith that whatsoever we ask in prayer, believing, that we shall receive (Matthew 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:23-24; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; Ephesians 3:11-12; Hebrews 10:19; 11:6; James 1:5-8). The Lord spoke of such boldness in asking things from His hand even when He said, "Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me" (Isaiah 45:11). Why would God grant such boldness and power with God upon His saints? The answer is quite simply because they walk in holiness before Him and are committed to seeing His will brought forth and accomplished, they would not command things in prayer that would fall outside of the will of God. The fear of asking God for something amiss subsides when one is walking in holiness.

Holiness is a more effectual usage of the time we are given in this world. Without holiness there are many things that one can become entangled in that waste this precious time. Many times I have seen claimed saints deep in idle conversation, going to movies, watching television, and being otherwise unproductive and ineffectual. In holiness one has their priorities straightened out and can more effectually use their time in following the will of God in their lives. When one walking in holiness lays their head down to sleep at night they are just as filled and refreshed in the Spirit as they were when they started that morning. The things of this world that could have detracted from the godly usage of their time are not temptations for them, and the things of the kingdom are their first priority.

Holiness is a mind that is renewed and that thinks on "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise" they think of it (Phillipians 4:8).

Holiness is a heart filled with all the fruit of the Spirit which is "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). They are not lacking in one area, as this would show forth the presence of sin, in which case all is corrupted.

Holiness is a complete crucifixion of "the flesh with the affections and lusts" (Galatians 5:24). The holiness follower is not under the burden of the old man and is not carrying the old man around with the new man. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." (Galatians 6:15)

Holiness is a prayerful attitude, as the Scripture saith, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Holiness is a deep and abiding love of God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; and a deep and abiding love for thy neighbor, even as thyself. "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).

It might better one's understanding if I also explain some of the things that holiness is not.

Holiness is not an emotional feeling, ecstasy, happiness, joy, bliss, elation, or excitement. It is a true pure heart tuned into the perfect will of God.

Holiness is not a desire to lead or rule over God's people. To the contrary. Holiness draws the saint into a place of being humble and willing to be led by an individual that may be perceived as inferior to them. It is the ability to be calm and meek in all circumstances and following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Holiness is not freedom from temptation, rather it is the ability to stare temptation in the face and boldly overcome it while remaining pure before God and man. One's garment does not become spotted when facing temptation when they are full of the overcoming faith that holiness procures.

Holiness is not a special ability to preach or teach and receive the adulation of men, rather it is the ability to not be jealous when a man is applauded for their ability to preach or teach the word of our God.

With all these points being made, I invite you to search your heart. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Corinthians 13:5). "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears" (Hebrews 12:14-17).

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