Title: The Grace of Holiness (1 Peter 01:2)
Contents There is a fourfold gospel in the Holiness Church. Regeneration, sanctification, healing, and second coming are important truths such as the four pillars of the Christian life. But here, the gospel of “holiness” is a precious grace of God and a noble spiritual stage that every Christian must experience. Today, I would like to testify to the word of God regarding this holiness.
First, let's look at the title of holiness.
The Bible uses various terms to mean holiness.1) Baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 1:33).
2) Filling with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, Ephesians 5:18).
3) Baptism by fire (Matt. 3:11) 4) The circumcision of Christ (Colossians 2:11).
5) Christian perfection (Matthew 5:48).
6) Perfect love (1 John 2:5, 4:12).
7) Holy life (Hebrews 12:14).
All of the above Bible verses are terms that mean holiness, and the content is the same.
Second, it is the significance of holiness.
It is a matter of what holiness is, and we can divide holiness into two main categories.
1) Absolute holiness This refers to the holiness of God. God is the Most High, who dwells forever and who is holy. God's holiness means God's absolute sanctification, and God's holiness means the absoluteness of God's existence.
God is not tempted by evil, He cannot lose His own holiness, and there is no greater holiness than God. God has absolute supreme holiness that no one can invade.
2) Relative holiness (1 Peter 1:15).
Third, then what is the need for sanctification? Holiness is essential in our lives, especially for us believers.
Because all people have an inherited original sin, and if we receive the grace of sanctification, we can overcome the passion and greed that come from these original sins and break free from evil habits. Let's first look at the names of hereditary sins.
1) The body of sin (Romans 6:6).
“For our old self was crucified with Jesus for the destruction of the body of sin,
The psalms are that we should not be enslaved to sin (Romans 6:6). The old man or the body of sin here refers to the human nature that was corrupted by Adam's sin.
2) The sin that dwells in me (Romans 7:20-21).
“If I do what I do not want to do, it is not I who do it, but sin that dwells in me” (Romans 7:20).
3) A sin that is easily entangled (Hebrews 12:1).
“Therefore, since we have a multitude of witnesses surrounding us like a cloud, let us cast off all the burdens and the sins that easily entangle us.” Hereditary sin binds human freedom, making us unable to do the good we want and do the evil we do not want.
4) Inherited sin (Psalm 51:5).
“I was born in iniquity; in sin my mother conceived me.” 5) The sin of embracing two children (James 5:8).
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
The five sins listed above are titles for hereditary sins. In addition, there are terms such as the root of the old people. But this hereditary sin works within us and causes us to sin. Anger (Genesis 4:4), envy (1 Samuel 18:8), pride (James 4:6) Selfishness (Philippians 2:20) Vanity, lying, etc. Many uncountable sins, such as the hereditary sin within us, is occurring. Therefore, we believers must be filled with the Holy Spirit to fight and overcome this sin.
Fourth, we must know the way to holiness.
1. It leads to sanctification through the word of God.1) "Wash with water, and sanctify by washing with the word" (Ephesians 5:26).
2) "Make us true and holy" (John 17:17).
3) "With what shall a young man cleanse his conduct, and he shall take heed to the word of the Lord" (Psalm 119:9).
2. Receive prayerfully.
The prophet Isaiah came to experience holiness when God realized his uncleanness and repented while praying in the temple (Isaiah 6:1-13). God is a giver to those who ask. We should pray earnestly to receive this grace as if we were knocking on the door (Luke 11:10).
3. We are sanctified by faith.
“By faith he purged their hearts, that they did not distinguish between us” (Acts 15:9). Our sanctification can be received not through emotions or strange experiences, but only through central faith.
4. Obtained by the blood of Jesus.
In Old Testament times, it was purified with the blood of goats and calves (Hebrews 9:13). But now, in the New Testament era, the blood of Jesus Christ has taken its place. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:14).
5. He purifies with the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist said, "Of course I baptize, but he who comes after me will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire." Before they received the Holy Spirit, the disciples still had human ambitions and desires, jealousy, quarrels, doubts and desires.
I was also disappointed. However, after these disciples received the grace of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, their faith, preaching, and life were radically changed.
Now, I pray that the most important gospel of holiness of the Holiness Church will come true in our faith life. Let's pray together, cling to the Lord, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and receive the grace of holiness.