Quote:
Originally Posted by 1399
For the Christian who is Holy Ghost filled, is Holiness more than a departure from sin?
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1399, it is an interesting question.
Holiness isnt about saved folk not sinning. although you cannot walk in holiness and live a life of sin.
Holiness isnt a list of rules that we live by either. Although Holiness had better make you rethink the rules you live your life by.
My explination of holiness generally makes a lot of people around here uncomfortable because most here will tell you that God credits you with his holiness.... which is an Idea I reject out of hand. God DOES credit to us his righteousness. He stamps us with his righteousness and that gives us "right standing" with him.
But the bible says "BE HOLY" and that means we have to have some roll to play in that process. We dont simiply become holy when we become saved. We do come in contact with HIS HOLINESS and therefore we will be moved to BE HOLY, but there is still some act on our part in this process. And that isnt simply about sin.
My explination is that as we move toward God, It is like we are walking down a long dark hallway. at the end of that hallway is the LIGHT of God. the closer we get to Him, the more of his light shines on us, and we can then see those things that are impure or un-Christlike. To move forward into the Light of God, we have to clean those things up.
It is a progression (and very much a part of real sanctification).
This is also very much the work of Grace in the life of a believer (see Titus on this). Greace is a teacher. It requires learning on our part.
Also remember that there are NO requirements on sinners. That is why they are sinners. They live outside the law of Christ.
But it is vastly wrong (IMHO) to suggest that there are no requirements on believers by God.