Therefore, when you have prepared your minds for action by being self-controlled, put your hope completely in the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former desires you used to conform to in your ignorance, but as the one who called you is holy, you yourselves be holy in all your conduct, for it is written, “You will be holy, because I am holy.”
1 PETER 1:13-16
“Holy”, as quoted in Leviticus, is from Strong’s H6918. “Set apart” is an easy definition to understand. It means one is different.
The seventh day of the week was “set apart” from the other six at creation. Does any man or organization have the authority to make common what the Creator set apart as special?
“Sanctified” is the same root word as H6918 for “holy”, but instead of an adjective it is the verb form.
We have to ask ourselves what “former ignorance” was Peter talking about, and why did he quote Leviticus chapter eleven? He was referring his readers to the context of the chapter, not making up his own definition of “holy” or “set apart”.
Does holiness and sanctification have to do with what we eat? Why would Peter refer back to these scriptures otherwise? Did he think it was just a cool quote and did not consider the context? Perhaps he was quoting Leviticus chapter nineteen.
Well that doesn’t help; not only is holiness associated with eating set apart animals, but in chapter nineteen it points to sabbath keeping, honouring your mother and father and staying away from idolatry. Being holy and not turning back to our former ignorance sounds a lot like keeping the commandments of God.
Now, we need to discuss the god Tammuz. Tammuz is spoken about in scripture and is the basis for many newer gods. This is what the Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, in part, has to say about Tammuz:
The Syriac lexicographer Bar- Bahlul (10th century) gives the legend as it had come down to his time. “Tomuzo was, as they say, a hunter, shepherd, and chaser of wild beasts; who, When Belathi loved him, took her away from her husband. And when her husband went forth to seek her, Tomuzo slew him. And. with regard to Tomuzo also, there met him in the desert a wild boar and slew him. And his father made for him a great lamentation and weeping in the month Tomuz and Belathi, his wife, she, too, made a lamentation and mourning over him. And this tradition was handed down among the heathen people during her lifetime and after her death, which same tradition the Jews received with the rest of the evil festivals of the people, and in that month Tomuz used to make for him a great feast. Tomuz also is the name of one of the months of the Syrians.”
One of the traditions handed down from the legend of Tammuz was eating “wild boar” or ham during the spring festival of Easter. Easter is the Anglo Saxon version of the springtime fertility goddess who would “weep for Tammuz”. The forty days leading up to Easter, “weeping for Tammuz”, is still practiced by many Christians today.
As you celebrate the festival of the goddess Easter, complete with a ham feast this year, consider Peter’s plea: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former desires you used to conform to in your ignorance, but as the one who called you is holy, you yourselves be holy in all your conduct, for it is written, ‘You will be holy, because I am holy.’”. Also, consider the words of the Apostle Paul:
1Co 10:14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
Just as Peter wanted his readers to read the context of the quote, “be holy for I am holy”, please read the entire tenth chapter of first Corinthians.
In the original Hebrew, the word used for “holy” was “kadash.” The root word means “to cut, or to separate.” The word “holy” means a layering of things, but in simple terms, kadash means to be set apart for a specific purpose. Different.
In the Bible, when people have a vision of God, they fall down in humility and repentance. Oh, woe is me! I realize how shabby I am next to him; how far different he is from me and how far different from what I thought him to be.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12).
In other words, as God’s chosen people, as his saints, we are to do this. Act like this. Live like this. Being holy means, we live differently than others.
Being set apart for God means that we live a life for God — to be holy in all we do, through the Holy Spirit. Be holy because God is holy. God has called you his own and set you apart and made you holy — different. Now we are to live it out.
The imminent return of Christ should motivate us to live for Him. This means being mentally alert (“think clearly”), disciplined (“exercise self-control”), and focused (“look forward”). Are you ready to meet Christ?
The GOD of Israel and of the Christian church is holy – HE sets the standard for morality. Unlike the Roman gods, HE is not warlike, adulterous, or spiteful. Unlike the gods of the pagan cults popular in the first century, HE is not bloodthirsty or promiscuous. HE is a GOD of mercy and justice who cares personally for each of HIS followers. Our holy GOD expects us to imitate HIM by following HIS high moral standards and by being both merciful and just.
After people commit their lives to Christ, they sometimes still feel a pull back to their old ways. Peter tells us to be like our heavenly Father – holy in everything we do. Holiness means being totally devoted or dedicated to GOD, set aside for HIS special use and set apart from sin and its influence. We are to be set apart and different, not blending in with the crowd, yet not being different just for the sake of being different. GOD’s qualities in our life make us different. Our focus and priorities must be HIS. All this is in direct contrast to our old ways. We cannot become holy on our own, but GOD gives us HIS Holy Spirit to help us obey and to give us power to overcome sin. Do not use the excuse that you can not help slipping into sin. Rely on GOD’s power to free you from sin’s grip.
A CALL TO HOLINESS
BIBLEADVOCATEAPRIL 25, 2018
FROM THE ARCHIVE • MARCH 1968 A CALL TO HOLINESS • BY JOHN KIESZ
There should be seen a vast difference between sinners and saints. According to the Scriptures a sinner is one who transgresses the law (1 John 3:4), while a saint is one who keeps the law (Rev. 14:12). Eventually sinners will be punished and consumed out of the earth (Psa. 104:35), but the righteous will be preserved forever (Psa. 97:10).
By nature, we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23), for we have been born that way (Psa. 51:5; John 3:6); therefore a second birth (John 3:3-5), or a new creation (2 Cor. 5: 17), is necessary in order to free us from condemnation (Rom. 8:1).
This change from a sinful to a saintly life is brought about when one becomes humble and yields, through the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit in such operations as: Conviction — John 16:7, 8; repentance —Matt. 3·1, 2; confession — 1 John 1:5-10; conversion — Acts 3:19; faith — Heb. 11:1, 6; baptism — Mark 16:15, 16; and sanctification — 1 Thess. 4:3.
The original meaning of the word sanctification is “a state of being set apart for a holy use” (see Genesis 2:3; Exodus 13:2; Exodus 19:10-14). When we surrender our lives to our Creator, we then are set apart for Him. We are no more our own, for we have been bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19, 20).
It is the Father who sanctifies us (Jude 1). He made His Son “. . . unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30).
According to the Scriptures, there are three phases of sanctification: through the Blood, through the Word, and through the Spirit.
Sanctification through the Blood is an accomplished work of Calvary. “. . . We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10). When we accept the shed blood of our Saviour for atonement and obey henceforth, then we are set apart from the world — then we are sanctified for a holy purpose. In ancient times the people were sanctified “to the purifying of the flesh” by the blood of animals, but now sanctification is by the blood of the Messiah (Heb. 9:11-15).
“Whereas Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth there fore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach” (Heb. 13:12, 13).
“He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Heb. 10:28, 29).
Even though we have accepted the initial terms of salvation and have thus been forgiven and sanctified by the blood, there may still be things in our lives which are not altogether pleasing to our Maker. When we are first converted, we are merely babes and must grow, symbolically speaking. And this is where sanctification through the Word comes in.
As we read the Scriptures we may see, here and there, that we need to make some changes in our mode of living; and as we thus obey, fully yielding and walking in all the light as it is revealed to us, we are thereby sanctified through the Word. Romans 12:2 uses transformed in this connection, and our Master prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it: that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27).
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15, 16).
Now, of course, numerous believers can claim sanctification through the blood and the Word, as discussed in the foregoing paragraphs; yet, many of them still may have carnal (Adamic) natures, just because they have not really been filled with the Holy Spirit. That is where another special grace, or definite spiritual experience, becomes necessary.
Some, through previous teaching and understanding, pray through in full submission to receive spiritual sanctification at conversion, while others do not receive this experience until some time later (if they ever get it).
Sanctification through the blood takes place when one accepts the atonement by faith. Sanctification through the Word is gradual. But sanctification through the Spirit is instantaneous. It is then that the carnal nature, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is changed to that of divine nature (2 Peter 1:4; Rom. 15:13; Gal. 5:16-18).
When one cannot say that he has had this wonderful experience of sanctification (and it is wonderful), then it becomes necessary to pray and yield until he knows that he has passed from death unto life (1 John 5:10-13) in order to be able to enter the Kingdom of Glory (see Acts 20:32).
“But 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” (2 Thess. 2:13).
“Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 15:15, 16).
Only pure and holy folks have a passport to the Holy City (Psa. 24:3, 4; Heb. 12:14; Rev. 22:14, 15). That sanctified folks are free from sin can be seen from Romans 6-8.
Sin is of the devil, and those who live in sin are Satan’s children (Acts 13:10). But it is possible to have sin destroyed out of willing lives: “. . . For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). If we have hope of seeing our Saviour when He comes again, we will purify ourselves “. . . even as he is pure” (1 John 3:2) . This does not mean that we cannot make mistakes, but that a true follower of the lowly Nazarene will not continually live in sin (see 1 John 2:1-6).
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1).
“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” (1 Thess. 4:3, 4).
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23). This is ENTIRE sanctification.
Among the Corinthian brethren existed a variety of conditions, some good and some quite bad, which gave the apostle Paul plenty of concern. Some of those brethren were still considered carnal (1 Cor. 3:1-4; 5:1-13), while others were washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Cor. 6:11). The unholy ones were not even fit for membership (1 Cor. 5:13).
We have similar conditions in general today. But there will be a sanctified and holy Bride ready for the translation when the Bridegroom returns for His own (Rev. 19:6-9). Will you and I be included in that number? The Church that He will receive unto Himself will be made up of individual believers, but it is only when you and I are personally right that we are granted a part with the believers and will receive eternal life.
Friend, let us make our calling and election fully sure, if we have not already done so (2 Peter 1:10-12). Let us pay the price, whatever the cost may be. “. . . In due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).
The indwelling Holy Spirit’s ministry in the believer is the dynamic of our sanctification. Jesus prayed that we will be sanctified by the truth (John 17:17); and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). The blessing of the new covenant in Christ is the presence of the Holy Spirit (Gal 3:14), which is the presence of God and the One who equips us for our service God calls us to.
The fruit of the Spirit in our lives (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) is the result of the Spirit’s reproduction of godly character in our lives (Gal 5:22-23). And the gifts of the Spirit (Rom 12:4-6, 1 Cor 12, 14) are the means by which we are to serve others for God’s kingdom purposes.
Now here’s where we have a responsibility in the sanctifying process–we are to appropriate God’s grace by faith. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom 10:17) Professing believers are to “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness”, because apart from God’s sanctifying work in us, “no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14). God will judge any person claiming identification with Christ while not actively engaged in pursuing sanctification (Matt 7:21-23). John bases assurance on a faith that perseveres in sanctification (1 John 2:3-6; 5:2-4). Though sanctification is never complete in this life (1 John 1:8-10), it is not an optional extra tacked on to justification.
In order for the Holy Spirit to sanctify our hearts, we must yield our mind, will and emotions to the Lord. We are told to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18). To live a Spirit-filled life means to yield ourselves to the control of the Spirit. The way to do that is to “let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Col 3:16). Being filled with the Spirit and letting the Word dwell in us are synonymous because they produce the same results: a song in our hearts, a thankful attitude, and loving relationships at home and at work (Eph 5:19-6:9; Col 3:16-4:1).
As we “let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly”, the Holy Spirit will show us areas in our lives where we have not yet put off our “former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Eph 4:22). The Spirit will convict us of our unrepented sin, humbling us to His power so that we can put “on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:24) so that we can “be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Eph 4:23).
In the renewal of our mind in the Spirit, we have the confidence “that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6). When we yield to the Spirit’s work in us, righteous attitudes and behavior grows in good deeds (Eph 2:10), godliness (1 Pet 1:15), and in Christ-likeness (1 Pet 2:21). We are able to “press on” in the Spirit (Phil 3:12) by faith in God’s promise, and striving according to our indwelling Holy Spirit (Col 1:29). It is only through the Holy Spirit’s work in us that we are able to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Store up His grace every morning so others will want to know who put that song in your heart!
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