VISIBLE HOLINESS
Apr 172018
1 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
As Christians, we should have all been taught to live holy, and without reproach in our walk with the Lord.
Leviticus 11:44 For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy:
Hebrew word, (kä·dōshe') [kadoshe] sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart. When taken from Hebrew (kabeesh) sanctify, hallow, dedicate, holy, prepare, consecrate, appointed, purified.
In time past, in some circles, Holiness was believed to come from the clothes closet, dress length, blouse or dress sleeve length, and in the tying up of hair. Sadly this applied only to women, and the design of it was to supposedly
stop the lusting of men after the women. This was a form of man made holiness, which is powerless, and is self righteousness.1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
So what then is required for holiness in the personal life of believers.
Epesians 4:24 tells us to put on a new man. Who then is this new man?
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
What then are these things that have become new?
Galations 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
This new man, must become evident on the outside. Overcoming the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Galations 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Then true holiness is coming to the place in our relationship with Christ, and with one another, that the life of Christ is plainly visible through us, giving the world a picture of righteous holiness.
