Lee Malaulua provides an excellent exposition on what it means to be holy. I recommend watching his video as well as reading the scriptures included in this post. The purpose of this post is to encourage you to seek refuge and sustenance in God’s grace.
Religion vrs Grace
Self-righteous religious understandings lead people away from following and depending on Christ. This was the error of the Pharisees, and other religious authorities of Jesus’ day. They emphasized following their traditions (additions to God’s Law) over trusting in God’s Son. This issue persists into our present age.
Core Issue: Human Performance in place of Trusting Jesus
What is holiness? What does God’s Word say about God’s holiness? Summary quote:
What does it mean that God is holy? Passages like 1 Samuel 2:2 and Isaiah 6:3 are just two of many examples of passages about God’s holiness. Another way to say it is absolute perfection. God is unlike any other (see Hosea 11:9), and His holiness is the essence of that “otherness.” His very being is completely absent of even a trace of sin (James 1:13; Hebrews 6:18).
He is high above any other, and no one can compare to Him (Psalm 40:5). God’s holiness pervades His entire being and shapes all His attributes.
His love is a holy love, His mercy is holy mercy, and even His anger and wrath are holy anger and holy wrath. These concepts are difficult for humans to grasp, just as God is difficult for us to understand in His entirety.
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/holiness-Bible.html
Jesus encourages a discouraged disciple.
“Abiding is Authority not Apathy”
Lee reminds us of this important truth. Striving in self-righteous ways don’t make us holy, it exhausts us as it depends upon our initiative and limited power. We become holy and righteous as we abide in Christ. Our lives and particularly our testimony reflect this inner transformation. Lee reminds us that it’s God’s goodness that leads us to repent and transforms us.
Romans 2: 1-8 Paul’s Teachings on hypocrisy and God’s Judgement
God’s Righteous Judgment: Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
(Psalm 75:1–10)
1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
One root of harshly judging others involves a lack of self-reflection and transformation. Focusing on others’ sin and failures instead of humbly seeking Christ’s grace for personal transformation leads a person deeper into self righteousness. The escape from this “trap” is to focus on His grace and goodness!
Jesus greets the weary pilgrim after a long journey.
God’s Kindness is Rich!
Pastor David Guziak explains in his Enduring Word Commentary on Romans 2
“iv. Considering all this, it is no surprise that Paul describes these three aspects of God’s kindness to us as riches. The riches of God’s mercy may be measured by four considerations:
· His greatness – to wrong a great man is a great wrong and God is greatest of all – yet He shows mercy.
· His omniscience – if someone knew all our sin, would they show mercy? Yet God shows mercy.
· His power – sometimes wrongs are not settled because they are out of our power, yet God is able to settle every wrong against Him – yet He is rich in mercy.
· The object of His mercy: mere man – would we show mercy to an ant? Yet God is rich in mercy.
v. Knowing how great God’s kindness is, it is a great sin to presume upon the graciousness of God, and we easily come to believe that we deserve it.”
Source: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/romans-2/
When we experience and consistently reflect on God’s mercy and grace for us, we aren’t consumed with the sins and wickedness of others. This set us free to follow Him in truth realizing that we all need His grace and mercy. It’s His nature that matters!
Jesus stands in the light of His Father’s creation.
Issue of “Overly Religious” Faith: Self-righteousness and hypocrisy
The danger of self-righteousness: we start to think that we deserve or can earn God’s favor through our human efforts. This is the exact opposite and a perversion of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! God sees through our motives and intentions!
God judges all based on His Truth. Not by outward appearance, nor does He show favor (Romans 2:11). Paul reminds us that God judges the Jew and Gentile alike. The context of this passage reveals that some were incorrectly teaching/believing that God shows favor based on religious tradition or ethnicity (being God’s chosen people).
Verse Seven instructs us on what we strive for in our pilgrimage of faith. We are to seek honorable things. Paul echoes this as he concludes his letter to the believers in Phillippi.
Philippians 4:5-9 BSB
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Followers of Christ recognize their own sins, failures, and need for grace. They look up for His wisdom and presence to guide along journey of faith.
Hardness of Hearts: Romans 2:5-8 BSB
5But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”7To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.
Paul clearly identifies the “heart” of the issue. It’s a hard, unrepentant heart that continues to deny the truth of God’s grace.
Final Thought: Being Holy
Finally, how can we become holy? Holiness only results from a right relationship with God by believing in Jesus Christ as Savior (accepting His gift of eternal life). If we have not placed our faith in God’s Son alone to save us from our sins, then our pursuit of holiness is in vain. So, we must first make sure we are born-again believers (see John 3).
If we truly are believers, then we recognize that our position in Christ automatically sets us apart from the world (1 Peter 2:9). After all, we have a relationship with the living God!
Then we must daily live a set-apart life, not trying to “blend in” with the world, but instead living according to God’s Word as we study the Bible and grow in it.
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/holiness-Bible.html
Holiness and righteousness come through relationship! Christ sets us aside and works through our brokenness to accomplish His Purpose!
Words of Grace & Hope 