Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: March 19, 2006
“BE YE HOLY”
A Study of the Biblical Doctrine of Holiness
Ben Justice
[NOTE: This is a continuation of last week’s article. We want to pick back
up with holiness in the New Testament.]
As we closed out last week’s article, we were considering I Pet. 1:13-16, wherein
Peter said in v. 15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all
manner of conversation; (16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Christians are to have a holy lifestyle. Christians are to be holy because God is
holy, and thus, the basis of our holiness is the holiness of God. But, as we
observed in the last article, no man can possibly be holy in the absolute sense
as God is. So, how can we be holy as God is holy? The context is key. If you
will notice, the contrasting word “but” begins v. 15, hence, Peter made a contrast
from what he said previously. He tells the Christians to whom he was writing to
be “obedient children” (v. 14). How were they to be obedient children? He stated
the negative: “Not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your
ignorance.” Peter described their former lifestyle before they became holy. The
term “fashioning” is from a word that denotes “conforming.” The original word is
actually translated “conformed” in Rom. 12:2, where Paul stated similarly, “And
be not conformed to this world: . . .” This is essentially what Peter was saying in
v. 14. When people fashion or conform themselves to their former lusts, then
they are being unholy. However, Christians are to be holy people. Christians
don’t live immoral lives as does the world.
Peter spoke of being “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust” (2 Pet. 1:4). This is parallel with I Pet. 1:14-16.
Being “partakers of the divine nature” is the same thing as being holy, as God is
holy. In other words, when one becomes a follower of God, through obedience to
the gospel, they become God-like, in that they partake of God-like qualities,
such as love, kindness, righteousness, truthfulness, purity, etc.
2.) THE HOLINESS OF THE CHURCH:
We have thus far been considering the holiness of Christians, individually
speaking. Now, we want to focus our attention upon the holiness of the church,
collectively speaking. Not only are we to be holy, individually speaking, but the
church, as a whole, is to be holy also.
Note the words of Paul in I Cor. 3:16-17, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of
God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (17) If any man defile the temple of
God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” Paul
refers to the saints in a collective sense, as being “the temple of God.” Paul was
referring specifically to the local church at Corinth. The church at Corinth was
“the temple of God.” The church being referred to as “the temple of God”
underscores the fact that it is the dwelling place of God. It is the place where
God is worshipped, praised, and honored.
Paul affirmed that “the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.” This is not some literal
and direct indwelling of the Spirit, but it simply denotes fellowship.
Paul then gave a warning in v. 17 to the man who would “defile the temple of
God.” God will destroy the one who defiles the temple (church) of God. Why
should we not defile the temple of God? Note what Paul stated: “For the temple
of God is holy.” How can one defile the temple of God? Back in v. 1-3, Paul
exposed the carnality of the Corinthians’. Thus, living fleshly and carnally and
sinfully defiles the temple (church) of God.
In Eph. 2:21, Paul noted that the church is a “holy temple in the Lord.” In 2 Cor.
11:2, Paul referred to the church as “a chaste virgin to Christ.” This denotes the
purity and holiness of the church as a whole. Sadly, many brethren have
seemingly forgotten this.
Again, in 2 Cor. 6:16, Paul refers to the church as “the temple of God.” He
asked, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” He then stated, “for
ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Remember, in I Cor. 3:
16, Paul said the Spirit of God dwells in the temple (the church). However, here
in 2 Cor. 6:16, he wrote what God says: “I will dwell in them, and walk in them.”
Does God literally walk in us? Of course not. Paul was speaking of fellowship
that God sustains with his people — the church.
This fellowship that God sustains with the church is contingent upon
something. Note v. 17-18: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be
a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
As the church, we must be separate and distinct from the world. In other words,
we are to be holy people. God does not fellowship unholy people.
Continuing into chapter 7, verse 1 states, “Having therefore these promises, dearly
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God.” “These promises” refer back to v. 16-18. Since we
have these promises of God, what are we to do? Paul said, “perfecting
holiness.” How do we perfect holiness? We do so by cleansing ourselves from
all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. In other words, inside and out. Christians
are to have holy minds and holy actions.
Keep in mind that Paul was speaking about the church — the temple of God. If a
congregation allows sin to run rampant throughout and nothing is ever done
about it, then God does not have fellowship with that congregation (Just read
Rev. 2:5; 3:20).
Paul declared that the church is to be “a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:
27). My friends, this is the holiness of the church.
We must not end this discussion without saying anything about corrective
church discipline. One of the reasons for corrective church discipline is to
protect and preserve the holiness of the church. What did Paul say in I Cor. 5:
7? “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are
unleavened.” When a congregation refuses to deal with impenitent, erring
members, they have is essence said, “It doesn’t matter or make any difference
whether the church is holy or not.” It is only until we as individuals live holy
lives that the church as a whole will be holy.
The seriousness of living holy lives is clearly underscored in Heb. 12:14 —
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
Holiness is indeed serious business with the Lord!