IT IS BECAUSE OF HIM - PART 5

FRIDAY 22 MARCH 2024

Romans 3:21-22 (The Voice) reads, "But now for the good news: God's restorative justice has entered the world, independent of the law. Both the law and the prophets told us this day would come. This redeeming justice comes through the faithfulness of Jesus, the Anointed One, the Liberating King, who makes salvation a reality for all who believe—without the slightest partiality." Beloved, this Scripture is all about what God did for the world through Christ. For our faith to count or matter, we have to acknowledge that it is because of God. More below!

Reference: 1 Corinthians 1:30 Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

"It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption."

The next segment of the versified statement above to be expounded by my humble self is:

holiness.

So today's article is focused on holiness, which Christ has become for us. And I function accordingly, having applied my heart to know, to seek out, and to comprehend the scope or dimension of wisdom by which Christ became our holiness.

Below is the dimension:

Holiness belongs to God and it reflects His true and incorruptible character. As a just God, He had to express His holiness in an incomparable way, and that way is Christ. Since God has had it in His divine nature, and not just as a plan, to restore a world of people to Himself, His saving grace became dynamic in converting the Lord Jesus Christ into "holiness" for the saints. Got it?

For this reason, through Christ's incarnation and sacrifice of atonement, God introduced the mystery of salvation to all mankind, who have fallen under the spell of Adamic nature, which is an unholy identity or essence. By liberating the saints from the power of Adamic nature, they became cleansed of the stains of unholy identity, which denotes freedom from sinful nature, spiritual blindness and shackles of darkness.

Since the saints have received freedom from the bondage of sin and captivity of Satan, something else has to happen, which is a transfer from the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of light, belonging to Christ. To that effect, apostle Paul says, "For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves" (Colossians 1:13 NLT).

Now when you arrive at the Kingdom of light, and receive the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Christ, you are no longer blinded by the god of this world; you can now see properly. To that effect, Psalm 36:9 reads, "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light" (NIV). The light of holiness will be introduced to your spirit, by the Holy Spirit, who functions in you as the Spirit of regeneration and sanctification.

This holiness also means the transformation of the Christian Character which continues to be perfected by the Word and the Spirit unto spiritual maturity. For instance, John 17:17 reads, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" (NIV). In accordance with this Scripture, we are being made holy by the ministration of the Word.

The book of Hebrews reads, "For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" (Hebrews 10:14 NIV). Holiness is a process of being sanctified, having been strengthened by separation from the world and its evil appearances or influences. The process is lifelong in the sense that holiness is constantly perfected in the Christian attitude, words and actions. To that effect, Pauline epistle reads, "Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV).

Holiness is a spiritual state of a life set apart for God's purpose in Christ, who is our perfection; it is an inward and outward sign of the designation of God's elect, who shall be exempted from the destruction of the ungodly at the last day or at the end of age. The Greek Grammar for holiness, which is "hagiósuné or hagiōsýnē", is defined as the trademark of God's grace which flows from the quality of the Spirit's continuous sanctification that results in all-round purity. Stay tuned for more on holiness in part 6. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Acts 26:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:21; Hebrews 2:11.

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that holiness is the distinguishing character of your unparalleled majesty and the enduring power of your saving grace. Those who function in a state of holiness and moral purity in this present world have a solid assurance of your faithfulness being expressed in their lives, and they exercise liberty of access to the throne of grace with untold boldness. Thank you for Christ Jesus, who has become my holiness, and whose perfection and symbolism are of eternal value in my life and world, in Jesus' Name, Amen.