Holiness is Right

There's a difference between wrong and right.  There's a difference between darkness and light.  There's no compromise, we must draw the line.  Sin is still a reproach, but holiness is right.

God is Holy.  Leviticus 11:44-45  Holiness is an essential aspect of His nature.  With respect to God, holiness means absolute purity and moral perfection. 

With respect to humans, holiness means conformity to the character and will of God.  It means thinking as God thinks, loving what God loves, hating what God hates, and living Christ-like.  I Corinthians 2:16  &  Philippians 2:1-5

The Old Testament concept of holiness was "separation from and dedication to."  For example, the Sabbath was holy because it was separated from work, travel, and other activities of life and dedicated unto rest.  Rest in the Lord.

God commanded His people to be holy and dedicated to the worship of One true God.  Leviticus 19: 1-2  Holy means to be set apart.  Leviticus 20:7-8  Sanctify yourselves means to consecrate, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate. 

In the New Testament we find that the new covenant abolished ceremonial law, while retaining moral law and spirtual holiness.  Hebrews chapter 10 explains how the old sacrificial system is abolished and Christ's sacrificial work finished.  By the offereing of Christ's body once for all, we obtain perfect remission of sin.  Hebrews 10: 1-39 

Building on the Old Testament concept of holiness, the New Testament teaches a corresponding twofold definition of moral holiness for God's people:  (1)  separation from sin and the way of the world and (2) dedication to God and His will.  

We are to present our bodies a living sacrifice - living, not dead - holy and acceptable unto God.  That's our reasonable service, meaning it's not an unreasonable request or something we're not capable of doing.  We're not to be conformed to this world or the way of the world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds.  Romans 12:1-2

Let's cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. II Corinthians 7:1  How do we do that?  Believing that God is real, repenting of our sins and turning from our sins, complete submerged baptism in Jesus name, and receiving the Holy Ghost - which is a gift for everyone that will accept it - and to continue stedfastly in the apostle's doctrine.  Acts 2:38 - 42 & Hebrews 11:6

When we receive the Lord Jesus Christ and all His goodness, we also receive an enriched desire to put off the old person that we once were - the way we used to conduct ourselves without Jesus being our guide.  Ephesians 4:22-25

In closing, holiness is light and easy when we've submitted ourselves unto the Lord and His way.  Matthew 11:30  Holiness is to be Christ-like.  Having Christ's righteousness on the inside of us pours out of us as Christ's holiness.  

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision - provision meaning to provide or preparation - for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.  Romans 13:14

Put off the works of the flesh and take pleasure in the fruits of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:19-26 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  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 hearts to the Lord.  Colossians 3:15-16