Holiness - Introduction

The next few studies will focus on the doctrine of "Holiness." Attempting to present a biblical presentation of the concept of holiness. What does it mean? Why is it important to us as Christians? I will present comments on the doctrine of holiness by theologians, Bible teachers, and others. I will also look at the doctrine from the perspective of the confessions and other historic writings that have passed the test of time as commentaries, which the Church throughout the ages have held fast to, that present sound biblical explanations of this doctrine.

First of all lets just look at some of the Scriptures which the doctrine of holiness is based on:
The New American Standard Bible is used here:

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him, Worship the LORD in holy array.    1 Chronicles 16:29

We get from this Word, that God is worthy of Glory, that we as His people should count Him as Glorious and bring an offering, we know from Romans 12:1-2, that offering is ourselves, in holy array, means in separateness from the world unto the LORD.

Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David.  Psalm 89:35

God makes a pledge based on His Holiness, it is the same as Him doing something for His great names sake.

Your testimonies are fully confirmed Holiness befits Your house, O LORD, forevermore. Psalm 93:5

Holiness is a part of God that denotes the character of His whole house, and it lasts forever, there will be no change.

But when he sets his children the work of My hands, in his midst They will sanctify My Name; Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Isaiah 29:23

Those that are God's will sanctify His Name, they will honor Him as LORD, they will be in awe of Him.

To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. Luke 1:74-75

Christianity from our perspective as God's chosen people, at its core is an expression of gratitude, the more we truly understand that we all were on our way to hell and the only way we are diverted from the hell ward plunge is the grace of God. We are thankful, we shutter at the prospect of ending in hell, and we are grateful for God's rescue, that never leaves us.

And put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:24 ESV

This verse taken along with the previous verse tells us that God has placed in us true righteousness and holiness. This means it is the God kind of righteousness and holiness. The liberation God has brought us from Satan, the world, our own flesh, through Jesus Christ is brought to bear in our daily fight with these enemies ( a fight that God is using to make us more like Christ). The power f God available for us is built up in us as we meditate on these eternal truths and get them into our heart, by our diligent effort, which is our human responsibility.

For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. Hebrews 12:10

God disciplines as a good human father does because of love, care for us. In line with what we have already seen, God will have Christlikeness or holiness come out of us. God holds the universe up, He holds us up in our being, He controls everything and He will have holiness out of His people. This is not a suggestion, a theory, it is reality.

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

No holiness, no heaven.  That's the bottom line we need to judge ourselves my the Word of God.

Keep Christ close!!