WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME
By John C. Carpenter
In his letter to the church in Ephesus, the apostle Paul wrote,Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation
of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by
Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made
us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according
to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together
in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to
the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our
inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:1-14). Paul explained to the
Ephesian saints that God had chosen believers in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame. We should
ask, though, what does it mean to be holy? What is holiness?
To begin our discussion, let us start with a definition of holy
or holiness. In verse 4 of our subject verses, the word holy is translated from the Greek word hagios, which means sacred, physically
pure, morally blameless, consecrated, or saintly. Unger's Bible Dictionary defines holiness as sancity, or separation from all that
is sinful, or impure, or morally imperfect, and the term is used in reference to persons, places, and things. Webster's New Collegiate
Dictionary defines holy as set apart to the service of God, or being spiritually pure. Holiness is applicable to persons and things,
and can be thought of as being in a state of purity, blameless, and separated from all that is considered sinful to God the Father.
In
verse 4, the words without blame are translated from the Greek word amomos, which means unblemished, without fault or spot, without
blot, without disgrace, or faultless. The Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines blame as responsibility for something believed
to deserve censure, guilt, or conviction. Without blame, of course, would mean something not believed to be deserving of censure,
guilt, conviction, or condemnation.
GOD THE FATHER IS HOLY
The holy scriptures are replete in their mention of holiness
of several types. First of all, God the Father, as we know, is certainly holy. The scriptures plainly teach this. Moses described
the holiness of God with these words: Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness [Hebrew,qodesh, sanctified, consecrated thing, a sacred place or thing, saint, pronounce or observe as clean, or sanctuary], fearful in praises,
doing wonders? (Exodus 15:11).
Hannah prayed, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged
over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy [Hebrew, qodesh, sanctified, consecrated thing, a sacred
place or thing, saint, pronounce or observe as clean, or sanctuary] as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any
rock like our God (1 Samuel 2:1-2). The psalmists obviously knew of God the Father's holiness: Thou, which hast shewed me great and
sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness,
and comfort me on every side. I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the
harp, O thou Holy One of Israel (Psalms 71:20-22), as well as, Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORDour God is holy (Psalms 99:9).
The prophet Isaiah described how a seraphim pronounced God's holiness: In the year that king Uzziah
died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims:
each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried
unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory (Isaiah 6:1-3).
The apostle
John, who referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved, wrote, And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven
angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with
fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name,
stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb,
saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear
thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy [Greek, hosios, right by character, consecrated, purity from defilement,
hallowed, or sacred:] for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest (Revelation 15:1-4).
God
described Himself as holy: I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and
not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city (Hosea 11:9). Truly, There is none holy as the LORD:
for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God (1 Samuel 2:2).
THINGS CAN BE HOLY
Things can also
be considered to be holy; but they are not holy in and of themselves, a status applied only to God; but holy only in the sense that
God has set them apart according to His own will and for His special purposes. For example, certain animals were consecrated to the
Lord and thereby deemed holy: And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them:
but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy (Exodus 29:33). Heaven is considered holy. Moses explained, Look down
from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our
fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey (Deuteronomy 26:15).
Also, certain vessels dedicated to the Lord were holy:And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle,
even those did the priests and the Levites bring up (1 Kings 8:4). In the old testament, the ground of Mount Sinai was considered
holy. On mount Sinai, God the Father commanded Moses, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon
thou standest is holy ground (Exodus 3:5).
The Temple had its holy place (2 Chron 35:5), and angels are considered holy. John
Mark, a companion of the apostle Paul also referred to angels as holy: Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words
in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father withthe holy angels (Mark 8:38). Jerusalem, also, for example is considered holy: Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and
setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple (Matthew 4:5). The prophets of God were also described as holy. Saint Luke wrote, Blessed
be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house
of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began (Luke 1:68-70).
Lastly,
the scriptures are considered holy (Rom 1:2). Also, the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good (Romans 7:12), and
even the mount of Olives in Jerusalem is deemed holy: For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and
glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice
which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount (2 Peter 1:16-18).
ISRAEL WAS COMMANDED TO BE HOLY
God
instructed the nation of Israel, the Jews, ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in
the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs (Exodus 22:31), as well as, I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will
give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other
people. Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not
make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated
from you as unclean. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should
be mine (Leviticus 20:24-26). Within these verses, God the Father clearly defined holiness as putting and making a difference between
clean and unclean things and people.
The LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons
with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
And that ye may put difference between holy [Hebrew, qodesh, a sacred place or thing, consecrated, dedicated to, or saint) and unholy [Hebrew,chol, exposed, profaned, polluted, or stained], and between unclean [Hebrew, tame, foul in a religious sense, defiled, or polluted]and clean [Hebrew, tahor, pure in a physical, chemical, ceremonial, or moral sense, clean, fair, or pureness]; And that ye may teach
the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses (Leviticus 10:8-11). Distinguishing,
or judging, the unclean from the clean is clearly a primary characteristic of holiness. And, last but not least, the apostle Peter
commanded Israel, Be ye holy; for I am holy (1 Peter 1:16).
JESUS CHRIST IS HOLY
Jesus Christ was and is holy - scriptures
plainly teach this. First of all, in the book of Revelation, John declared the holiness of Jesus Christ with these words: And to the
angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he [Christ] that is holy [Greek, hagios, sacred, physically pure, morally
blameless, consecrated, or saintly], he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth,
and no man openeth (Revelation 3:7). John also described Jesus as ...Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood
on them that dwell on the earth? (Revelation 6:10).
In describing Himself as the one whom the Father sanctified and sent unto
the world, Jesus responded to the unbelief of some Jews, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods,
unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into
the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:34-36).
Most of us are familiar with the angelic announcement
to Mary in which Luke the Evangelist referred to the holiness of Christ: And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast
found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall
be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he
shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this
be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest
shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:30-35).
The
apostle Peter also referred to the holiness of Christ when he spoke to men of Israel, The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob,
the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was
determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince
of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses (Acts 3:13-15). Lastly, in the book of Acts of the apostles,
Jesus was referred to thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed (Acts 4:27).
CHRISTIANS ARE TO STRIVE FOR PERSONAL, PROGRESSIVE
HOLINESS
Both old and new testament scriptures also teach us that believers in God and Christ are to be holy. The scriptures
also refer to two types of holiness. The first is what bible scholars and teachers refer to as progressive holiness. One meaningful
definition of progressive sanctification and holiness is that it is a lifelong journey towards holiness acceptable to God that involves
daily thought and behavioral choices, spiritual determination and discipliine, acceptance of and obedience to the guidance of the
Father's Holy Spirit that is progresive and gradual in nature, and which involves self-examination, spiritual renewal of the mind,
and the mortification of sin. It is important to recognize, though, that due to the worldly inclinations and weaknesses present in
man, no believer will ever be able to achieve complete personal sanctification and holiness that is totally pleasing to God the Father.
But, despite the struggles and unavoidable failures, believers are, commanded to pursue, with the help of God, of course, progressive
personal holiness.
For example, in Leviticus, God said, Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that
creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. For I am the LORD your God: ye shall
therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping
thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore
be holy, for I am holy (Leviticus 11:43-45). The believer is instructed to lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace
with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest
any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as
Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he
was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears (Hebrews 12:12-17).
Paul instructed
the church in Rome, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:1-2), and Paul wrote to the church
in Corinth, Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting [Greek, epiteleo, to fulfill completely, to undergo fully, finish, or to perform] holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians
7:1). Peter also recognizes the stuggle for sanctification and holiness experienced by the beliver in Christ. Peter explains, Grace
and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto
us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby
are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped
the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:2-4).
John, the apostle, further teaches us about the struggle for
holiness: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear,
we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to
take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known
him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous (1 John 3:2-7). The
apostle Paul also wrote the church in Thessalonica ...we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have
received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by
the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification [Greek, hagiasmos, to ceremonially purify or consecrate, purification,
the state of purity, holiness, or sanctified], that ye should abstain from fornication [Greek, porneia, to indulge in unlawful lust
of either sex, harlotry which includes adultery and incest, or figuratively idolatry]: That every one of you should know how to possess
his vessel in sanctification [Greek, hagiasmos, consecrated, venerated, purification, to be in a state of purity, or holy] and honour [Greek,time, valuable, esteemed, dignity, or precious]; Not in the lust of concupiscence [Greek, apithumia, a longing especially for what
is forbidden, desire, to lust after], even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any
matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us
unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7). In these verses, Paul clearly associates holiness with walking, living,
or behaving in ways that are pleasing to God the Father. Believers in Christ should abstain from fornication, should know how to possess
his body in sanctification and honour, and should never defraud his or her brother; God has not called believers to physical or moral
impurity, but to holiness.
In our subject verses, the apostle Paul concluded, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before
the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption
of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, whereinhe hath made us accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:3-6). According to the scriptures, the believer in Christ is to be sanctified
and holy in every aspect of life. The apostle Peter wrote, Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end
for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according
to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [behavior];
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy (1 Peter 1:13-16). Additionally, the believer is to focus on denying ungodliness
and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-13); And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is
lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see
the Lord (Hebrews 12:13-14).
As with the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul encourages all believers, dearly beloved, let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1). while Paul
also reminds us, For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of
you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which
know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we
also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7).
Paul
also instructed the church in Rome to, in spite of their freedom for having to keep the laws of God, to stop sinning: What then? shall
we [believers continue in] sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield
yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But
God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness (Romans 6:15-18). Paul later added, For when ye were the servants
of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things
is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting
life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:20-23).
Lastly,
based upon biblical instruction, as well as personal, daily experience, we must recognize that although the believer in Christ is
certainly to strive second by second for personal and progressive holiness, but we must also recognize that such a state of perfection
in our own efforts is not humanly possible, not now, not later, not ever. Knowing and keeping all of the law of God 24 hours a day,
year in and year out, for an entire lifetime, is, truthfully, not possible for any human being. If personal and progressive holiness
were possible for even one individual for his or her entire lifespan on this earth, God the Father's plan of salvation through the
suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ would have been completely unnecessary. But, God, in His eternal understanding
and wisdom, knew that personal holiness and salvation was necessary in some other way, so God so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). As Peter taught, ye know
that [in your own efforts] ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received
by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was
foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you (1 Peter 1:18-20). God the Father knew
before the foundation of the world the necessity of the saving ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ.
BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY HOLY
ONLY BECAUSE OF THEIR
SPIRITUAL POSITION OF FAITH IN CHRIST
As we mentioned above, there are two types of holiness. The second
type of holiness referred to by bible scholars and teachers is what is called positional holiness. Positional holiness can be defined
as a reference to the eternal standing or status of the believer in Christ as a result of the individual coming to saving faith in
Christ. Positional holiness occurs at the moment of salvation, when God the Father imputes the perfect righteousness of Christ to
the newly saved individual available only because of the individual's faith in Jesus Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection serving
as the full atonement for our sin. The scriptures make it clear that Christ is the only source of permanent, heavenly, eternal, and
Godly holiness.
Speaking and writing probably to those who can be referred to as dispersed strangers, sojourners, the elect,
or those who have citizenship in heaven and not the world, Peter refers to the believer's positional holiness in Christ with these
words: Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house [by Christ], an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect,
precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which
be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a
rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But [based upon the
will and ministry of Jesus Christ] ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:5-9).
Addressing a Jewish
Christian congregation who had come to faith in Jesus Christ and who were being tempted to return to the faith of Judaism and its
works righteousness, the unknown author of the book of Hebrews writes, we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for
the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became
him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation
perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth [Greek, hagiazo, to make holy, to purify, to make morally blemeless or pure,
to consecrate, or to hallow] and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee (Hebrews 2:9-12). The unknown
author continued, Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which
he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw
near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with
pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised ). (Hebrews 10:19-23).
Again,
in the book of Hebrews, we are instructed, we [who believe in Jesus Christ] are sanctified [Greek, hagiasmos, properly purification
or cause to be pure, or to consecrate, venerate, or hallow] through the offering [Greek, prosphora, presentation, an oblation or sacrifice]of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices,
which can never take away sins: But this man [Jesus Christ], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the
right hand of God (Hebrews 10:10-12). Writing the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
[and believers in Christ] one of Jesus' original disciples, the apostle Peter, wrote, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual
house, [because of Christ and His ministry] an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth
on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which
the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which
stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an
holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light (1 Peter 2:5-9). Because of Christ's offering of His own life, all believers in Christ, Jew and Gentile alike, are now considered
to be a holy nation.
Referring to Christ and faith in Christ, Paul wrote Timothy, For the grace of God [through faith in Christ] that
bringeth salvation [Christ] hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works (Titus 2:11-14). We should note, here, that His people are purified and made holy by Christ, who gave
Himself for us.
Referring to the Jews, but applicable to each of us, the apostle Paul summarized his point about faith as the
source of righteousness when later wrote, Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For
I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and
going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God [available through faith
in Christ]. For Christ is the end [Greek, telos, a definite point or goal, the conclusion, termination, result, or a levy as paid]of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth (Romans 10:1-4).
Paul added further explanation, Now to him that worketh [at
keeping the Jewish law] is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not [at keeping the Jewish law,
but believeth [and have faith] on him [Christ] that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness (Romans 4:4-5).
Clearly, in the new testament, justification and righteousness is the fruit of believing in Christ and His death and resurrection.
All
believers are sanctified and made eternally holy by the ministry of one person, the person of Jesus Christ; and the holiness imputed
by Christ to the believer in Christ also has a reward, the reward of eternal life.
Paul explained to the church in Rome, Butnow the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of
God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath
set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through
the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth
in Jesus (Romans 3:21-26). Clearly, since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the righteousness of God is no longer attainable
through keeping fully the Jewish law, but is now available only through faith in Jesus Christ and unto all them that believer. Surely,
God is always at work in our lives, and is clearly the basis of any goodness or holiness in man. The scriptures clearly teach that
it is God the Father, through Christ, which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians
1:6). The apostle Paul was very specific that man is not made just and holy by his or her own efforts at keeping the law, but
only because of his faith in Christ: a man is not justified [made just, right and holy] by the works of the law, but by the faith
of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of
the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Galatians 2:16).
Last of all, in his first letter to the church
in Corinth, the apostle Paul referred to man's single source of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption with these words:For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God
hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the
things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not,
to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made
unto us wisdom [Greek, sophia, clarity of higher or lower and worldly or spiritual understanding], and righteousness [Greek, dikalosune,
equity of character or actions, or Christian righteousness or innocence], and sanctification [Greek, hagiasmos, properly purification
or cause to be pure, or to consecrate, venerate, or hallow], and redemption [Greek, apolutrosis, to ransom in full, providing riddance,
deliverance, to pay a redemptive price, or specifically Christian salvation]: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth,
let him glory [boast or rejoice] in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).
It is Christ, with His death and resurrection, and His
holiness, who is the only source of the believer's wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, providing the fruit of eternal redemption
[Greek, apolutrosis, a ransom paid in full, riddance, deliverance, or salvation] and life.
WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE
At
the moment the believer comes to faith in Christ, the holiness of Christ is immediately imputed, positionally speaking, to the believer
in Christ; and this faith and resulting holiness brings many rewards. So, what are the rewards? The most significant reward is salvation
from God's wrath and and the offer of eternal life.
Paul wrote, God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when
we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life (Romans
5:8-10). Paul discusses the same theme: the believer in Christ is justified by the blood of Christ, reconciled to God the Father through
the death of His Son, as well as saved from God's wrath through our faith in Jesus Christ. Paul clearly links the believer's justification
by the blood of Christ and reconciliaiton to God by the death of His son with salvation. Later, Paul specifically mentions the believer's
deliverance from death through faith in Christ our Lord when he wrote the church in Rome: I see another law in my members, warring
against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who
shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the
law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin (Romans 7:23-25). Christ is the one who makes the believer holy and delivers he or she
from unrighteousness and death.
Paul simplified for us the basic process resulting in salvation. Paul clarified, if thou shalt
confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith,
Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over
all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:9-13). Confessing
with our mouths the Lord Jesus Christ, and believing in our heart that God hath raised Christ from the dead carries a reward – the
reward of eternal salvation. In exorting the church in Thessalonica, Paul wrote, we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you,
brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and
belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren,
stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself,
and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your
hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17).
In speaking to Saul, Jesus Christ referred to
the result, the fruit, the outcome of the believer's positional holiness in Christ with these words: But rise, and stand upon thy
feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen,
and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I
send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me (Acts 26:16-18). Sanctification and positional
holiness in the believer is rewarded with the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance of eternal life.
Likewise, to believers
in Corinth, Paul wrote to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the
name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours (1 Corinthians 1:2). Paul clearly taught that believers in Christ are sanctified
and called, by God the Father, to holiness, salvation, and sainthood. And, in his letter to the Ephesian church, the apostle Paul
connected God's love for and quickening of us with our eventual sittiing together with Christ in heavenly places. Paul explained,But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, [God] hath quickened us together [to
faith, sanctification, holiness, and salvation] with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us
sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness
toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of
works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:4-10).
Writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul specifically mentioned his ministry and
reward, the result of his continued faith - a crown of righteousness and holiness. Paul wrote, I have fought a good fight [of faith;
see 1 Timothy 6:12], I have finished my course [career, calling, ministry], I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for
me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them
also that love his appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
The scriptures clearly teach that faith in Christ has many rewards or fruit,
in fact, too many to list in this article. However, let us mention some of those rewards. Through faith in Christ, the believer is
made physically pure, morally blameless, consecrated, saintly, separated from all that is sinful or impure, or morally imperfect,
justified by His blood, delivered from death, and saved from the judgment and wrath of God the Father for our sins and guilt. The
believer in Christ also has his or her eyes opened, our Father in heaven turns us from darkness [the hidden, lack of understanding]
to light [the revealed, understanding] and from the power of Satan unto God, is sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus, is called to
become a saint, is quickened together with Christ, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, raised up to sit in heavenly places, and
rewarded with a crown of righteousness and holiness. Last, but certainly not least, the believer in Christ is given the inheritance
of eternal life, a life literally in the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ. As Paul summarized in our subject verses, Christ
has hath made us [believers] accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according
to the riches of his grace. AMEN.