Joshua didn't leave the Tent.

Radical Holiness – a fight for Purity

Last night we started a series with our students titled Radical Holiness.

When David felt this phrase spoken from the Lord, we began a discussion.

The thing is - Biblical Holiness IS Radical. It’s different, it’s set apart!

Biblically, there is no other way to be Holy than for it to be radical looking to the world!

So why Radical Holiness? Well let’s be honest here… the world and even church people in general have so watered down what the word Holiness means. We have either avoided the subject altogether and just done our own thing or we have made it about a list of rules, don’t do this and don’t do that. We've made it about dress and actions and words. When the truth of the matter is none of those things make you Holy. Keeping that list, doing all the right things does not constitute Holiness. 

Holiness is a matter of the heart.

Truth here – if you are Holy, you will live by the Do’s and Don’ts set forth in the Bible! You will strive to dress modestly, you will watch what you say, where you go, what you do, you will strive to remain Pure… but you will not rest in those things… those things are just a natural overflow of your heart that is in Love with Jesus, your gaze that is fixed on God!

“Holiness is not new behaviors! Holiness is new affections!”

Does Holiness really matter to God? Is holiness merely a pursuit for the “super spiritual” or should holiness be a concern for every believer?

The word Holy means to be “set apart” or to be “separated from” something. God is Holy because He is exalted above and completely separate from any type of sin, flaw or moral imperfection.

The word Holy is used over 600 times in the Old Testament alone.  Many times it was used to name something to be separated such as the Holy Place (Ex 28:43), or a characteristic of something or someone.

But what does that mean for me and you? The Bible also tells us in

 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (notice that’s NEW Testament)

We are called as Christians – those set apart, chosen ones – to follow in His example!

Are we talking about perfection? Nope, I’m not perfect, nor have I met another who is (well I’ve met a few who think they are… but I digress…)

But HOLINESS is the target! Everything we do, say, and think should be done in the light of Holiness. As we grow in our journey with God and become stronger in our own personal holiness, we will actually begin to hate sin and its effects. We want rid of anything that interferes with our intimacy with God, rid of anything that distracts my gaze from Him. We begin to see the pain sin causes and will strive to avoid those things!

In John 17 Jesus was praying for the future church, for you and for me! In verses 17-20 he says 

John 17: 17-20 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

Jesus not only prayed for our holiness, but went to the Cross to make it real in our lives!

Why? Because He’s the ultimate cosmic fun stealer? No because He loves us and wants what is best for us! It’s for our good and His Glory! He knows what the ultimate cost of sin will be and He loved us so much He sent His son to die on a Cross so we wouldn’t have to live under that curse! 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Hebrews 12:14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

So where do we start? Well our discussion started with Sexual Purity! In a sex-crazed society… why not? Everything from Reebok to Hardees is trying to sell you the pack of lies that sex is the answer to all your problems!

I challenge you to pray about Holiness, to ask God His opinion on the matter, to search out His Word on it,  because in the end... His is the only opinion that will matter! 

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.