Conduct of Holiness
In
the event of a true conversion [the reborn of a person], from a
wretched life style to holy and righteous state of mind; what should
our conduct or behavior be or become? This is a question that
everyone should be asked, because everyone tends to forget themselves
from time to time. Now, should we stay as we wish; living life as we
were, or with the premise concept and assumption that we have not
been a bad person in our life span? God forbid! Many have entered
into this different life style that is befitting for the salvation of
God’s holy family. Yet, many have entered in without regard, or
knowledge of exactly what they have entered in, and wind up pleasing
the wrong person, or being. What we need to realize is that we have
become apart of what God has considered holy by all means; because if
we truly belong to God’s heritage then we should be behaving in
accordance to what we have been taught in God’s holy word
(Ep.1:4)holy and without blame.
There
is absolutely no room for reprobates, hypocrisy, slackers, or
lukewarm attitudes in the kingdom of God. As I mentioned earlier, if
we have entered in, truly convicted and with a true penitent heart
then why do we still tend to behave as if it has no bearing in our
own salvation! Supposing, do we then need to reconsider our entire
commitment to our Heavenly Father. What's more important pleasing God
or man (Ga.1:10)
With
this lesson we will see just how important it is to really evaluate
the difference between what we used to be; to what we should be now.
Before going on, I wish to say that I consider it a privilge to
re-asses my own faithful stability every now and then. So, to begin,
we need to acknowledge that it is a divine requirement (our conduct
of holiness); that is applied upon our divine conversion.
This
holiness that is required has been instructed for over six thousand
years comensicing with Adam and all of those who were very close to
God. To note, one thing that we will notice is that in the old
testament a paraphrase like “walk with God, or walk before Me"
had a specific and significant exact meaning; which is to be as Holy
as He. There are passages on this precept for us to further
understand; "what it means to walk with and before God";
what it meant then also means
today(Ge.5:24Enoch;Ge.6:9Noah;Ge.17:1Abram was commanded to walk
before God). The perfection of holiness comes from God as He is holy
and perfect, and this was proclaimed by our Lord Jesus Christ
in,(Ma.5:48)Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in
heaven is perfect. In connection to what our Lord Jesus Christ spoke
to the multitudes this was also transcribed and proclaimed by Moses
(Le.19:2)Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel,
and say unto them, You shall be holy: for I am the Lord your God am
holy. (Le.20:7,26)Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy: for I
am the Lord your God. And you shall be holy to Me: for I the Lord am
holy, and have seperated you from peoples, that you should be mine.
Of
course, and with certainty, this also applies to all those that
belong to him even unto these days: this was proclaimed by the
Apostle Peter to all Christians in general (1Pe.1:16)because it is
written, Be holy; for I am holy. Here is, what I know to be a
specific clue to our conduct of holiness, and separates one from
another (the saved from the lost).
Throughout
the word of God we have many passages that proves what the religious
etiquette should surround each and everyone of us. To begin we have
what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans on how God’s mercies
should move us to please Him (Ro.12:1)I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, the you present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
[spiritual] service. In reference we read; (Ps.50:14)offer unto God
thanksgiving; and pay your vows unto the most High. (1Co.6:20)For you
were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in
your spirit, which are God’s. (1Pe.2:5)You also, as lively stones,
are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Many
of our strongest religious etiquette of conduct to holiness, are all
found within the Holy word of God, and how we need to bless God for
all the blessing and spiritual gifts he has bestowed on those who
have tooken part of His heritage [the treatment of our election],
(Ep.1:4)that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
(Ro.8:28)and we know that all things work together for good to those
who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
(2Ti.1:9)Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace,
which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
(1Pe.1:2,3)Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in
sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the
blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. Blessed
be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His
abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
As
we have just researched and learned that being holy is a requirement
of obedience; we know that this is done for the main reason for us to
ackowledge it as a condition and reality of seeing God through His
word, only if we posses a pure heart. Being without this condition we
can in no wise see God, let alone enter into His kingdom. This was
proclaimed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in his sermon on the
mount (Ma.5:8)Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
This was also described by King David in one of his poetic songs
(Ps.15). This was later inscribed by the author of Hebrews as an
exhortation of constant faith, patience, and godliness (the act of
perseverance) (He.12:14)Pursue peace with all people, and holiness,
without which no one will see the Lord. (1Jo.3:1-3)In this passage we
have the singular love of God in making us His children; it’s a
hope that will, and can strengthen us while we’re still here in
this world, and patiently wait for when He does come for us. While
this mentality is inbeded in our minds it sets the stride of purity;
as it is our hope of eternal life.
We
also have the exhortation of the Apostle Paul for the promises
promised if we exercise the purity of life, (2Co.7:1)Therefore,
having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness [defilement] of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness
in the fear of God. Yet, this can only be done, if we do not mingle
with the sins of this world, no affiliations, or fraternize with the
affairs of this world (2Co.6:14,15)Do not be unegually yoke together
with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with
lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what
accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an
unbeliever? (2Ti.2:22)Flee also youthful lusts: but pursue
righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out
of a pure heart. If we persist in mingeling with the sins, or affairs
of this world we can get tarnished, and may wander off; of our very
existence in our conduct to holiness. One thing that we need to be
encouraged of, is that we are not alone in this. This is where we see
all the promises that God has bestowed on us without holding back. We
have Him, His love, His grace to be gratefully thankful for, in
giving us His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and for the intercession of
the Holy Spirit: everything we have going for us since we committed
ourselves to God has been the work of the Holy Spirit, by the
commandments of God. (Ro.8:14)For many as are led by the Spirit of
God, they are the sons of God.
Primarily,
we are free of condemnation (Ro.8:1), but only if we remain faithful
and righteous; this is one of our hopes because we live for the
Spirit of God and not our own (Ro.8:5-13). In the pursuit of holiness
that we long for is the concept that we should no longer live by the
things of the flesh, but by the fruit of the Spirit of God; because
the things of this flesh, the world, or the life that we once carried
can only lead to death (Ro.6:21-23). This was expressed by the
Apostle Paul to the Galatians of the difference between the things of
the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit (Ga.6:8)For he that sows to his
flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the
Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. In the essence of
our conduct of holiness we are imploded the concept that we are no
longer owners of ourselves; we have become temples of God and the of
Holy Spirit of God, who, which resides within (1Co.3:16) Do you not
know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwells in you? (Ga.4:6)and because you are sons, God has sent forth
the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out Abba, Father!
Today
we have what is called the effectiveness of the word; which is the
Holy Spirit of God, and is living and active and known as a two-edge
sword (Heb.4:12): which is also described as the sword that proceeds
from the mouth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Re.19:11-15). The
effectiveness of the word is found in what the Apostle Paul told
Timothy in His second letter; when he was explaining to Timothy just
how the word of God is used for the benefit of everyone that are of
the elect (2Ti.3:16,17)All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work. This includes what was
written in past history of the old testament. (Ro.15:4)For whatever
things were written a for our learning, that we through patience and
comfort of the scripture have hope. A part of this comfort comes with
the knowledge that the word of God did not come from man or their
worldly knowledge, but from, and only God (2Pe.1:20,21)Knowing this
first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation, for the prophecy never came by the will of man: but
holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. So, we
need to be very careful not anger the Spirit of God, or else it will
flee us (1The.5:19-quench)(Ep.4:30-grieve).
As
we have noticed that everything that we have just read pertaining to
the conduct of our holiness is opposed to sin; because sin and
righteousness, life and death, light and darkness, our will and the
will of God can not and will not coexist with one another; lets
remember that Jesus Christ spoke of this during his ministry; when he
was speaking of the eye being the light of the body (Ma.6:22-24). The
basic idea is that we should no longer have any dealing with our
sinful nature because we are so fallible with to much ease; by the
inheritance that we have in our flesh (Ro.6:1,2,22). We know and God
knows that we are in constant combat within ourselves, but then again
we should not look at this as a scapegoat for our follies, but rather
we should be setting our affection on the righteousness of God and
things above, and the sinless man in Christ (Col.3:2,3)set your mind
on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your
life is hidden with Christ in God. (1Pe.2:24)Who himself bore our
sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might
live for righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.
After
all is done in accordance to what the word of God is teaching can be
seen in true worshipers of God. This is considered as being exhibited
in life and conduct to holiness. If we are true to God then we are
true to ourselves doing everything that is required of us to no
extent. We must not be ashamed of who we are and that is God’s
heritage, God’s children, God’s Holy purpose. We must therefore
shine as a beacon for the lost, allowing our own countenance to show
as a mutual agreement to what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ spoke
in his sermon on the mount (Ma.5:14-16)You are the light of the
world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they
light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand; and it
gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in Heaven.
By
way of similarities we must be obedient to all of God’s
commandments [bearing fruit] (Jo.15:8)By this my Father is glorified,
that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.
(1Pe.2:12)Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when
they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works
which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
(Col.4:6)Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt,
that you may know how you ought to answer each one. As Jesus tells it
with all clarity (Mk.9:50)Salt is good, but if the salt loses its
flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have
peace with one another. The Apostel Peter also wrote of it in a very
different manner, but same meaning (1Pe.3:15-17).
The
concept within the exhibition of our holy life and conduct is in
connection with all the words that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
spoke to all his disciples by way of teaching and admonishing them
(and us) through the word of God (Col.3:16)Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace
in your heart to the Lord. (1Ti4:12)Let no one despise your youth;
but be an example to the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in
spirit, in faith, in purity. Just as the Apostle Paul told Timothy
the truth being moved by the self same Spirit; also told Titus the
same exhortations (Titus2:7,8,15). The Apostle Peter on the other
hand spoke very boldly to all churches in general the same
exhortations; as well as the same exhortations do apply to us now
days; what this really amounts to is that everything we have learned
throughout the years that only pertains to the word of God can only
solidify our conduct to holiness, for ready in mind to do the will of
God, and that is being fruitful.
(1Pe.5:2,3)shepherd
the flock of God which is among you, serving as the overseers, not by
complusion but willingly; not for dishonest gain but eargerly; nor as
being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the
flock.
Although
it is an extensive lesson on the importance in the principles of our
conduct of holiness we should not hold back our gratitude to our
Heavenly Father, for this lesson, as it opens yet another door of our
growth in our Christian life. All praises, honor, and glory to our
heavenly Father; may he keep us and bless us eternally!
