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DEFINITION OF HOLINESS

Exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
Divine (Psalms 99:9 – for the Lord our God is holy)
Devoted entirely to the deity or the work of the deity

Holy in Hebrew is qodesh – set-apartness, separateness and holiness, sacredness
Holy in Greek is haigios - set apart for God.

1. THERE ARE 3 STAGES OF SALVATION:

A. Justification – what Jesus did on the cross

Ephesians 2:8-9 Saved by grace through faith. Not of works.
It is the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us and the imputation of sin upon Christ.
Romans 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous!
2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Holiness is not a prerequisite for justification, but rather a result of Justification.

B. Sanctification - is a joint effort of the Holy Spirit and us.

This is a process of becoming holy (hence chasing holiness).
We labor in conjunction with the Spirit of Holiness to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. We are saved from the Power of Sin.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
Romans 6:18 And, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

C. Glorification – where we shed our sinful nature and be glorified with Christ

Philippians 3:20-21.
We will get a new body that does not have the sinful nature like what Christ has, where we are rid of the presence of sin.

2. SANCTIFICATION IS NECESSARY

A. For life:
Romans 8:13-14 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. for all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law

B. For fellowship with God:
1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ
1 John 1:5-6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth

C. For our well being:
Hebrews 12:6 God disciplines those he loves and punishes everyone he accepts as a son
Sometimes God allows us to spiral into brokenness before we are saved.

D. For effective service of God:
2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work
Doesn’t mean that you won’t be of any use, but just less useful.

E. For assurance of Salvation
Why is this needed? because from experience, the further along sanctification, the more sinful you see yourself, the devil will use this opportunity for you to question your salvation.
Romans 7:7-25 Paul wants to do good, but don’t, and does what he hates.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.
1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

3. SANCTIFICATION, HOW?

A. The Spirit of holiness works with us in our sanctification:
Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
Repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38)
Prayer (Luke 11:13)
Faith (Galatians 3:14)
Obedience (Acts 5:32)

B. Make every effort to be holy. (Hebrews 12:14)
Start by renewing our minds and setting it on things above (Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:2)

C. Confess your sins to other and bear each other’s burden (James 5:16)
Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.