10/20/2018
Holy and blameless before God... does this describe you? Is this who you are, or is it something that you aspire too? Scripture tells us that we should be this way, but do we even know what it means to be holy? Is it simply being consecrated to God? Is it to set apart or dedicate ourselves to serving Him? Or, perhaps in some way to be like God? If you search out man’s definition of Holy you will find all of these thoughts, and definitions. So when God says you are to be holy what is he wanting us to be, and are we in obedience to Him?
“but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."”
1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV
Dedicating ourselves, not just to a moral code, or to living by a list of God given commandments, might be a portion of holiness, but it is not the full definition of being holy. Describing holiness is like describing God Himself... to be holy is living our lives dedicated, and set apart, to being as God is, and how do we go about doing this? Can we set its boundaries with any more success than we can grasp the entirety of God Himself? Not hardly. So how will we ever be holy? How will we be as a God has asked us to be? How will we be blameless?
I have been married for 42 years and I know my wife well. I know her smile, her look of consternation, her furrowed brow when she is displeased, and the look of love on her face. I also know the things, for the most part, that will please her, and those that will upset her... but as deep as my understanding is, I don’t claim to know her in her entirety. Yet, if you ask me if I am dedicated to her the answer is yes, if you ask me if I long to please her my answer is yes, and if you ask me if I love her the answer is yes. Holiness is a lot like this... it isn’t a place we arrive at, nor is it a goal we reach, it is our dedication of self to the journey in that direction, and we are guided there by love.
“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love”
Ephesians 1:4 ESV
So, when God looks at us he first and foremost wants to see our love for Him, then our obedience to His Word and commandments, and finally He wants to see us dedicated to being Holy as He is... moving ever towards being as He is.
“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV
We seek to become Holy, but given what is written in God’s Word, is this even a possibility? Scripture tells us that only God is Holy, so how can we even attempt this?
“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."”
Revelation 15:4 ESV
There is only one way in which we can live lives of holiness; lives dedicated to God... we must allow Him to become one with us as Jesus describes for us in scripture. In this way His holiness becomes ours...
“In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
John 14:20 ESV
And as for blameless? Let’s listen to this verse of scripture that brings us right back to love...
“and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 ESV
Loving God, serving God, seeking God, allowing God to abide in us... these are the signposts along the road we travel towards holiness, but nothing can come of our desire to be holy without love, love, love. As I read Andrew Murray this morning I enjoyed his insight.
“If we would be holy, we must begin by being very gentle and patient, forgiving and kind - generous in our relationships with all God’s children. Pray unceasingly that the Lord might cause us to abound in love toward one another. The holiest will be the kindest and most thoughtful of others for Jesus’ sake.
If we abound in this kind of love, we shall be blameless in holiness. - Andrew Murray
Prayer:
Father, thank you for my journey towards knowing you, and for your help in my obedience to you, and becoming Holy, even as you are Holy. I thank you Holy Father for your Son Jesus who not only has redeemed me, but in whom I dwell, and who brings me into you... allowing me to be Holy as You are Holy. Holiness, unobtainable on my own, and every bit the undeserved gift as the grace that you have pour over me through your Son. I pray today that I will be found blameless before you Father, even is Jesus is blameless. I pray that I might abide Holy within Him, and you, forever more. Great are you my God; your mercy, grace, and holiness is more than sufficient, and by it I come to know you more. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you in whom all holiness resides, and from whom all grace bubbles forth. Praised be your name, your magnificence, your glory, and your holiness... forever.
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,”
1 Peter 1:13-15 ESV
Rich Forbes