Holiness
Holiness is a message that needs to be proclaimed, heard, and followed after in today's church. It is the relevant message of Christian fullness, joy, and satisfaction. Its pursuit exposes personal "unholiness." In turn, that exposure then produces grace, the reflection of Christ, and the full experience of faith.
Holiness, when sought after, generates within the heart and life the purposes of God for the believer: to be set-apart or given to the Lord's purposes and use, and morally clean or pure, free from sin.
Holiness calls us to rise above the actions and re-actions of the unholy, “You have heard that it was said,
‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away" (Matthew 5:38-42 NKJV).
WOW!!-Grace, the reflection of Christ, the full experience of faith!
Holiness calls us to sinless living within the grace of Christ,
"Awake to righteousness, and do not sin" (I Corinthians 15:34 NKJV),
"Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are His,'
and,
'Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity'"(II Timothy 2:19 NKJV),
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good" (Romans 12:9 NKJV).
Holiness is the Church called out, belonging to God, the body of Christ-distinct and different!
"Holiness confusion" often destroys "holiness realized." However, no matter how it may have been defined or taught or whatever my understanding or misunderstanding, scripturally, it is my obligation, my pursuit, my hope, my gauge, my call, and my experience that compels me to examine myself, and compels me to live as Christ for you, the world, and obviously, for Him.
The beauty of holiness is found in the desire of God through grace to shine through us. The holy, pure God, who needs nothing to reflect His radiance, especially mankind, chooses to sanctify us completely, provide grace to produce His goodness, love, and beauty, and to complete it! His ownership of the work makes it both desirable and possible for us, calling us to His work through surrender.
Paul reminds us of His desire, His work, and His faithfulness through which we are set-apart and clean, not through our works but His grace.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NKJV).