Called to be Holy

[David_McQueen]

In many instances in scripture there are calls to be holy.

How do you understand this?

What does it mean to be holy in practial terms?

[Amelia]

1 Peter 1,13-25

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13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

24 because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

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David, I havent studied this but the few verses I did look up were mostly like this one. "Be Holy because I Am Holy". "You are called Holy, so you shall be Holy."

It appears many times that God has called us holy or told us straightforwardly that we are holy and to act on it.

So now I am thinking hard as to how we(humans) can be the "Holy" God has said we are. Can we really be as Holy as God? <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/DOVE.gif" alt="" />

[David_McQueen]

Thanks Amelia

Any more suggestions on this?

Is anyone here holy?

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

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David_McQueen said:

Thanks Amelia

Any more suggestions on this?

Is anyone here holy?

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[:"red"] "...watch ye, then, in every season, praying that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are about to come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.' " [/] Luke 21:36 YLT

Considering that if one were holy (complete) it wouldn't be necessary to pray that we might be accounted worthy.

[:"red"] "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come and worship before you,

for your righteous deeds have been revealed." [/] Rev 15:4 NLT

Since this Scripture is spoken in the Kingdon of heaven to the saved, what would that say about our present condition?

[David_McQueen]

LHC,

Why can't holiness be a work in progress rather than some process that is complete? If we are sanctified we are set apart for holy use. Surely that is a work in progress until the final stage of salvation.

Paul in his letters to asked members to

1) present their bodies a living sacrifice holy to God (Rom 12:1)

2) he referred to the Colossians as his holy brethren (Col 1:2)

3) referred to himself as holy (1 Thess 2:10)

4) determined that an overseer/bishop should be holy (Titus 1:8)

5) and stated that God wants us to live a holy life(1 Thess 4:7)

So what was Paul talking about then, or are we afraid of the implication of saying that we are following a holy life?

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

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David_McQueen said:

LHC,

Why can't holiness be a work in progress rather than some process that is complete?

If we are sanctified we are set apart for holy use.

3) referred to himself as holy (1 Thess 2:10)

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Despite the goodness men might believe themselves to have,

even Paul recognized their was nothing good inherent in himself.

[:"red"] "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." [/] Romans 7:18 KJV

His recognition of being holy was based on his acceptance of no condemnation for the sinfulness of himself and forgiveness of that sinfulness, the blood of Jesus rendering him being accounted blameless, the word used instead of holy, in more contemporary translations. And his conclusions also are consistent with other findings of his Father.

[:"red"] "...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." [/] Phil 2:13 NKJV

[:"red"] "But...all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.."[/] Isaiah 64:6 KJV

Keep looking up!!

[David_McQueen]

It's not about being self righteous but isn't sanctified about being bein set apart for holy use? Or blameless use, depending on which version you are using?

Aren't we told as Amelia quoted to be holy in Peter. Reiterating the command God gave to his chosen people in Lev 11:44,45?

I just dont see what the problem is. If God has called us why should we be afraid to say we are pursuing holiness?

[LifeHiscost]

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David_McQueen said:

If God has called us why should we be afraid to say we are >>pursuing holiness?

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Re: >> That seems to me to be a good idea.

[:"red"] "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light" [/] Ephesians 5:8 KJV

[:"red"] "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." [/] 1 John 1:7 KJV

As to being set apart for a holy pupose, just as much as we allow Jesus to live within us He is able to set us aside for a holy purpose.

[:"red"] "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God," [/] Galatians 2:20 KJV