[Biblemat] S) PURSUING HOLINESS

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
files.  Use to the glory of God.

PURSUING HOLINESS

     Though much of our society views holiness as an archaic
quality, the Scriptures are emphatic that it is not optional
equipment for the Christian.  The writer of Hebrews speaks
of its priority when he says, "Pursue peace with all men, and
the sanctification (i.e., holiness) without which no one will see
the Lord."  Additional passages such as 1 Thes. 4:3-7; 1 Pet.
1:14-16 inform us that holiness is not just a good idea or a
helpful suggestion but is a direct command of God!

     But what is involved in a pursuit of holiness?  Though most are familiar 
with the definition, "set apart," the real question is how does it translate 
practically into my daily ex-
istence?

     In the midst of his sobering words of warning to the sinful
citizens of Israel, the prophet Amos provides us with some
helpful insights.  As the dark clouds of judgment hover over
Israel, he instructs, "Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and thus 
may the Lord God of hosts be with you, just as
you have said!  Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in
the gate!" (Amos 5:14,15).

     First, holiness is negative and positive: -- Why are so many in the 
world convinced that Christianity causes you to
miss out on all the "fun" things of life?  Is one reason an un-
balanced emphasis that implies a relationship with God is
based solely upon what we look to avoid?  Amos commands
we must do more than shun sin, we must also embrace good!
Avoiding evil is an essential aspect of holiness, but it is only
half of the equation.  Sanctification involves abstaining from
things such as drunkenness, fornication, lying and hatred --
but it also includes things such as love, kindness, patience,
compassion, and humility.  What makes the "dress" of the man in Christ new 
isn't just what he takes off but what he 
chooses to put on (Eph. 4:17-32; Col. 3:5-14).

     Second, the prophet reminds us that holiness involves
actions and emotions: -- I am intrigued by the order Amos
employs.  He tells his audience to "seek good" before instruct-
ing them to "love good."  He places action before emotion.  I
understand holiness begins on the inside and works its way
out (Matt. 15:18-20), but the message of Amos is that sanctifi-
cation is a matter of choice more than feeling.  The person
pursuing holiness doesn't wait around until they feel like doing right, but 
rather makes a conscious decision to do
right.

     One of the most difficult things to do is to forgive some-
one who has wronged us.  though we are cognizant of God's
clear instruction on the matter (Matt. 18:22; Eph. 4:32) and
are convinced that the person pursuing holiness would look
to obey these divine commands, we often postpone doing
what we know to be right because we allow our feelings to get in the way.  As 
a result, forgiveness is postponed and in 
the process we become vulnerable to resentment and bitter-
ness.  However, such plagues are averted when we chose to 
act rather than waiting to feel.

     Third, holiness benefits self and others: -- When Amos
says to "establish justice in the gate" he shifts the emphasis
from our private world to the public arena.  Sanctification is
not confined to a person's one-on-one relationship with God.
Instead, its benefits flow outward toward a host of others.  It
is true that we profit personally as a result of our pursuit, but
so does our family, friends, brethren, and neighbors.  A wife
experiences the tremendous advantages of a husband who
seeks good -- and suffers when he does not.  A husband prof-
its immensely because of a wife who loves good -- and endures sorrow when she 
participates in evil.  Children are
richly blessed when their parents understand God's desire
for them to be holy -- and those same children can bear the
tragic consequences when mom and dad reject His will.  Holin-
ess not only enhances our own life, but the lives of those
around us.

     Finally, holiness is a means to life and a way of life: -- Amos said, 
"Seek good and not evil, that you may live."  The
Hebrews writer tells us holiness is essential to going to heav-
en, but it is also the means by which we are able to take poss-
ession of that which is truly life in the here and now (Jno. 10:
10)!  The world is convinced you go through hell to get to
heaven and through heaven to get to hell.  Truth is you go through hell to go 
to hell and through heaven to get to heaven.  A holy life results in our 
enjoying the reality of God's
presence and the blessing of His grace as we are equipped to
become the very thing God intended for us to be (Rom. 8:29).

     I understand that no amount of holiness (except sinless
perfection) can result in meriting salvation (Gal. 3:11), but it
is equally true that a failure to pursue it will keep us from
heaven (Heb. 12:14).  And tucked away in a corner of the Minor Prophets we 
find profound insight into what is entailed
in such an endeavor.   ---- Terry Slack in Biblical Insights, Vol.
6, No. 11, Nov. 2006.   </HTML>
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