We love being forgiven…but that’s not the only benefit of salvation.
In 1 Peter, chapter 1, we are instructed to “Be holy, because I am holy,” and to be holy in all we do.
Hebrews tells us to “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
We know that we have to struggle against the sinful desires of the world if we are to accomplish true holiness of life, but those aren’t the only things that stand in our way. There are even impulses that at first look positive, even humble, that can also stand in the way.
One of the stumbling blocks we face is the idea of avoiding judgment. In Matthew we are told “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Scripture, including the words of Jesus, makes it clear that it is no our place to determine who is or is not faithful in the eyes of God. Not only is it impossible to do it accurately, since we don’t know what is in a person’s heart, it is also impossible to judge others without incurring judgment ourselves.
But we are challenged to live righteously, and that requires honestly assessing our own actions, motives, and love. And we are challenged to encourage one another in living the faith.
This explicitly excludes judging those outside the Christian community (See 1 Corinthians 5). It also challenges us to relate to people inside the Christian community in love, seeking to build up rather than tear down. If we have nothing to offer but condemnation, it is best to keep silent. But we must also be truthful and encouraging, not assuring people that they are OK when they are not, but showing them the healing God has to offer.
This applies especially to ourselves. Invite God to search your heart, and listen for the result. In the words of Romans 12:3, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distribute to each of you.”
Another stumbling block we face in seeking holiness is the idea that it is synonymous with weakness, inoffensiveness or primness—which couldn’t be farther from the truth.
The holiest people in scripture are, without exception, tough and courageous, and willing to give offense—not for the sport of being offensive, but out of a conviction that God gives them no choice but to speak the truth, whatever the cost or consequences.
We also face the stumbling block of the very real fear of being seen as judgmental or holier-than-thou.
That brings us back to the admonition in Romans to think of ourselves with sober judgment. Even when we can see objectively that we have attained greater holiness in some aspects of life than some of those around us, we remain aware of how far we have yet to go…and that even our self-awareness brings its own temptation to pride.
And, we fear the pursuit of holiness as just being too hard to achieve.
1 John 5:3 tells us, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome…”
God’s commands would be a burden if we were to focus on obeying the law through our own strength. Instead, God asks us to surrender our will. We’re not trying harder; we’re just resisting him less.
– Rev. Mark Fleming
This is part of a sermon/reading series in July-August, 2024, looking at some core Christian beliefs, along with distinctive emphases of the Methodist branch of Christianity.
The daily readings are my own, but they are loosely based on the topics covered in the Catechism of the Global Methodist Church. The column at the right contains the questions from the catechism and the sources it lists.
You can find the full catechism and other information about the Global Methodist Church at globalmethodist.org.
I invite you to join us for worship and other church gatherings at China Methodist Church and Forest Park Methodist Church.
Respectful conversation is welcome. Use the comment section at the end of this post.
From the Catechism of the Global Methodist Church:
69. What else does sanctifying grace do for us?
It enables us to strive for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;to be made new in the attitude of your minds;and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Colossians 1:21-22 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation…
1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
1 John 3:2-3 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
1 John 5:3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome…
Confession of Faith Article XI* We believe sanctification is the work of God’s grace through the Word and the Spirit, by which those who have been born again are cleansed from sin in their thoughts, words and acts, and are enabled to live in accordance with God’s will, and to strive for holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Entire sanctification is a state of perfect love, righteousness and true holiness which every regenerate believer may obtain by being delivered from the power of sin, by loving God with all the heart, soul, mind and strength, and by loving one’s neighbor as one’s self. Through faith in Jesus Christ this gracious gift may be received in this life both gradually and instantaneously, and should be sought earnestly by every child of God.
We believe this experience does not deliver us from the infirmities, ignorance, and mistakes common to man, nor from the possibilities of further sin. The Christian must continue on guard against spiritual pride and seek to gain victory over every temptation to sin. He must respond wholly to the will of God so that sin will lose its power over him; and the world, the flesh, and the devil are put under his feet. Thus he rules over these enemies with watchfulness through the power of the Holy Spirit.
70. Is true holiness possible?
Yes. Entire sanctification is a state of perfect love, righteousness, and true holiness which every regenerate believer may obtain.
Exodus 19:6 “‘you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
Leviticus 11:44-45 I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.
Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.’”
Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
Deuteronomy 14:2 …for you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession.
Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
1 John 3:2-3 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
1 John 5:3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome…
Confession of Faith Article XI* We believe sanctification is the work of God’s grace through the Word and the Spirit, by which those who have been born again are cleansed from sin in their thoughts, words and acts, and are enabled to live in accordance with God’s will, and to strive for holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Entire sanctification is a state of perfect love, righteousness and true holiness which every regenerate believer may obtain by being delivered from the power of sin, by loving God with all the heart, soul, mind and strength, and by loving one’s neighbor as one’s self. Through faith in Jesus Christ this gracious gift may be received in this life both gradually and instantaneously, and should be sought earnestly by every child of God.
We believe this experience does not deliver us from the infirmities, ignorance, and mistakes common to man, nor from the possibilities of further sin. The Christian must continue on guard against spiritual pride and seek to gain victory over every temptation to sin. He must respond wholly to the will of God so that sin will lose its power over him; and the world, the flesh, and the devil are put under his feet. Thus he rules over these enemies with watchfulness through the power of the Holy Spirit.
*From the Confession of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, a predecessor denomination of the Global Methodist Church