Holiness is "Christlikeness". Allowing the Spirit of Christ to live through you as a living extension of Jesus. Abiding as a branch of the true vine (Jesus Christ). Note, the branch and the vine are one organism. He that is united to the Lord in the Spirit is one spirit with Him. His life and power is to flow through us as the life and vitality flows from the vine to its branches. In this "abiding" we bear fruit. Also note, the branch doesn't struggle or "try" to bear fruit. It simply bears fruit by virtue of the vine's own flow of life. Fruit bearing is therefore a matter of nature... not effort.
Holiness is spiritual oneness with God through Christ Jesus by the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Holiness is therefore a state of being, a partaking in God's own divine nature (
2 Peter 1:4),... not a state of doing, works, or deeds. It's the total reckoning of "not I, but Christ". For the born again believer is crucified with Christ, and yet they live. Not they themselves, but rather it is Christ who lives within them. The gradual eradication of self leading to the total reckoning of Christ Jesus within us.
As we become like Christ, who is God, we become like God. And God is love. Therefore, the only two governing "laws" that are binding upon the believer are:
1.) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
2.) Demonstrate your love for the Lord your God by loving your neighbor as yourself.
In these two commandments... the entire law is fulfilled.
Linear Mode
