Holiness is not a single theme or an isolated truth. It is not totally a matter of the inner life, nor is it totally external. It affects every area of our lives. Holiness is not simply a matter of the right language, or habits, or recreation, or clothes, or friends, but when it is in the heart, it affects all these things and many more.

The Principle of Holiness

 With inanimate objects, the will was not involved, so the process was simple. For instance, the little shovel to be used to scoop the ashes from the altar was formed by the artificer according to the commandment of God. Then it was dedicated to its stated function. That was all.

 With people it is different, because we have wills and many complex mental, physical, and spiritual patterns. But up to this point, we have a very good example of the principle of holiness: To be separated from the past and recreated from our original state into a person of usefulness to the Lord of glory.

A Definition of Holiness

Holiness Involves Cleansing Ourselves

 How shall we live the Christ Life, which is begun in us, in all righteousness, above reproach, free from the world's attractions and influences?

 We begin by cleansing ourselves from all filthiness. We are to take the initiative. The Holy Spirit will reveal the Word of Christ to us and grace will teach us (Titus 2:11,12), but we ourselves must execute the act of turning from the carnal way of life to the way of holiness which pleases God.

 Holiness is both a positive and a negative process. Our cleansing is from all filthiness. When this is accomplished, certain results are automatic. In James 4:7,8, we see this principle demonstrated.

1. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
2. "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you."

 In Titus 2:12, Paul set forth the principle of holiness when he said, "The grace of God...hath appeared unto all men...teaching us that denying ungodliness...we should live soberly, righteously, and godly...." And so you see there is a divine arithmetic in holiness: The subtraction of all that is worldly in our lives and the addition of heavenly qualities.

 The next very important thing we need to realize is that all undesirable qualities that may be in us are in the same category in the sight of God - filthy. Any affection or lust that tends to turn us away from God must be reckoned as filthy and removed from our lives.

The Cleansing Is Twofold

 The flesh and spirit are the two elements of the fallen man that have become depraved through the disobedience of our first parents. Here, as in other Bible passages, such as Romans 8 and 12, when the flesh and spirit are mentioned first. The reason, of course, is that the flesh is our carnality, sold under sin. "The carnal mind is enmity against God" (Romans 8:7). But the Christian has the personal responsibility and the divine enablement to discipline his own body. "I keep my body, and bring it into subjection," Paul said.

 There are sins of the flesh and there are sins of the spirit. As lust is the expression of the flesh, or of the animal nature in man, so affection is a word of the heart, which is the seat of the spirit. Paul tells us to mortify or put to death inordinate affection for earthly things. And once again he puts the initiative to holiness in our own hands:

Perfecting Holiness

 When the Word of God is read quietly and faithfully, it has a power much the same as prayer does when entered into with faith and purpose. It is God talking to us, and the entrance of His Word gives light and understanding. The effects of sincere prayer and Bible reading are a deep peace and a divine poise in our lives, regardless of external circumstances.

 These simple provisions have so much power because they come to us from heaven. Prayer is direct conversation between the believer and the living God, and the Bible is God's revealed Word which shall endure when heaven and earth shall have passed away.

 To be saturated with God and His Word and His love is to want little that the things of earth and time can offer. Holiness will be a natural result of such a life.

 We sometimes hear a complaint that there is less holiness among us today than in times past. If this be true, there are three simple ways holiness can return to prominence in our lives:

1. To preach and teach holiness in the pulpits and classrooms of our churches
2. To pray and read the Word of God with serious intent
3. To practice honesty of heart and to deal with all matters that the Word or the Spirit may bring to our attention.