Christian, Are You Holy?

Since its beginning, Christianity has been about what Christ has done for man rather than what man can or should do for God. The Reformation made this explicitly clear in the affirmation that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. For Protestants, this works-abandoning trust in Christ is our central declaration to the world.

For this reason, when it comes to the subject of holiness, of moral goodness, of excellence, we can be less than eager to engage in the conversation. In our dedication to grace and faith we go to great lengths to avoid even a hint of a works-based, legalistic religion. This is a good impulse; the heart of man often hungers after control and after self-sufficiency. We have no boast other than in the Lord! Yet, how can we call Him Lord and not speak of obedience?

In the Sermon on the Plains (an event only described in Luke but sharing similar themes to the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus brings His teaching to a close with a question.

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)

On this question alone we should be driven to careful consideration, yet much of the Bible also describes obedience whether it speaks of holiness, righteousness, good works, deeds, conduct, being above reproach, being disciplined, or many others I cannot name here. One of the primary themes of the Bible is obeying God!

Possibly the most frightening passage in all the Bible is Hebrews 12:14. “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Certainly this cannot mean what it seems to mean! Without holiness no one will see God? That smacks of legalism!

This is the tension built into the Christian religion. We must, like the Bible, affirm that works are not meritorious, they can’t save us, reconcile us with God, or even keep us saved once we are given new life, yet without holiness no one will be saved. Obedience cannot save us, but we will not be saved without it.

It’s understandable that this makes us uncomfortable. Easy-believism says that all one need be concerned with is a prayer they prayed or an aisle they walked. Perseverance of the Saints (which emphasizes assurance in continued obedience) has gradually been replaced with Once Saved Always Saved (which places emphasis on the profession of faith).

Yet, in all this, we must maintain that without holiness, no one will see the Lord. James speaks poignantly that faith without works cannot save (2:14) and is totally dead (2:18). This does not mean that a work-less faith is weak or ineffective, James tell us it is non-existent! The absence of holiness speaks to the absence of saving faith! “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)

What are we to do with such a difficult truth? We cannot ignore it. We cannot hate it. We cannot play interpretive games to make it go away. We can only agree. We can only obey.

Are you obedient to Christ?

The good news is that we are not saved by our works. Just as a tree proves its health in bearing fruit, good works can only testify to the reality of our hearts where either Christ reigns, or sin does. Paul calls us to live out what has happened by grace in Romans 6: “For one who has died has been set free from sin… we believe that we will also live with Him… So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God.” (Rom. 6:7-8, 11)

The good news is that while obedience is hard, we are not alone. Christ is with us to the end of the age through the Holy Spirit. We have access to our Father’s throne to “watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Matt. 26:41) And our Lord who will not “break the bruised reed” promises that his yoke is not too heavy for us to lift when joined to Him. (Isa. 42:3, Matt. 11:30)

The good news is that perfection isn’t demanded, diligence is. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8). Holiness is continually pressing forward. It is being driven to “lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that we may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” John Calvin sums this up perfectly:

None of us will move forward with such little success that we will not make some daily progress in the way. Therefore let us keep trying so that we might continually make some gains in the way of the Lord., and neither let us despair over how small our successes are. For however much our successes fall short of our desire, our efforts aren’t in vain if we are farther along today than yesterday.

Institutes of Christian Religion, John Calvin

Finally, let us consider what drives the obedience of a person already redeemed, already loved, already saved. If we are not laboring for wages, what reason do we have to labor at all?

We obey because we were saved by Christ for Christ’s glory. “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (1 Cor. 6:21, Eph. 2:10)

We obey because we love Him. “If you love me, keep my commandments.” “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 14:15, 21, 15:14)

We obey out of gratitude for His immeasurable gift. “I appeal to you brothers by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice…” “We love because He first loved us.” “Therefore as you received the Lord, walk in Him.” “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Rom. 12:1, 1 John 4:19, Col. 2:6, Phil. 1:27)

I plead with you as a fellow laborer of Christ: are you holy? Do you obey the Lord Jesus Christ? Is you life a constant progression- though often a halting walk or a slow crawl- towards righteousness?

Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.

We will need much in this journey. Grace. Mercy. Peace. The Spirit’s work. The Church’s fellowship. The comforts and commands of the Word of God. But we must begin the journey at once.

A quote from John Owen will serve us well as I conclude:

“He leads none to heaven- but whom he sanctifies on the earth. This living Head, will not admit of dead members!”