TCH MINI-STUDY 60
WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME
In his letter to the church in Ephesus, the apostle Paul wrote,Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation
of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by
Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made
us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according
to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together
in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to
the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our
inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:1-14). Paul explained to the
Ephesian saints that God had chosen believers in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame. We should
ask, though, what does it mean to be holy? What is holiness?
To begin our discussion, let us start with a definition of holy
or holiness. In verse 4 of our subject verses, the word holy is translated from the Greek word hagios, which means sacred, physically
pure, morally blameless, consecrated, or saintly. Unger's Bible Dictionary defines holiness as sancity, or separation from all that
is sinful, or impure, or morally imperfect, and the term is used in reference to persons, places, and things. Webster's New Collegiate
Dictionary defines holy as set apart to the service of God, or being spiritually pure. Holiness is applicable to persons and things,
and can be thought of as being in a state of purity, blameless, and separated from all that is considered sinful to God the Father.
In
verse 4, the words without blame are translated from the Greek word amomos, which means unblemished, without fault or spot, without
blot, without disgrace, or faultless. The Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines blame as responsibility for something believed
to deserve censure, guilt, or conviction. Without blame, of course, would mean something not believed to be deserving of censure,
guilt, conviction, or condemnation.
CHRISTIANS ARE TO STRIVE FOR PERSONAL, PROGRESSIVE HOLINESS
Both old and new testament
scriptures also teach us that believers in God and Christ are to be holy. The scriptures also refer to two types of holiness. The
first is what bible scholars and teachers refer to as progressive holiness. One meaningful definition of progressive sanctification
and holiness is that it is a lifelong journey towards holiness acceptable to God that involves daily thought and behavioral choices,
spiritual determination and discipliine, acceptance of and obedience to the guidance of the Father's Holy Spirit that is progresive
and gradual in nature, and which involves self-examination, spiritual renewal of the mind, and the mortification of sin. It is important
to recognize, though, that due to the worldly inclinations and weaknesses present in man, no believer will ever be able to achieve
complete personal sanctification and holiness that is totally pleasing to God the Father. But, despite the struggles and unavoidable
failures, believers are, commanded to pursue, with the help of God, of course, progressive personal holiness.
For example, in
Leviticus, God said, Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves
unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall
be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am
the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy (Leviticus 11:43-45).The believer is instructed to lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest
that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no
man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble
you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though
he sought it carefully with tears (Hebrews 12:12-17).
Paul instructed the church in Rome, I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:1-2), and Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved,let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting [Greek, epiteleo, to fulfill completely, to undergo
fully, finish, or to perform] holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1). Peter also recognizes the stuggle for sanctification
and holiness experienced by the beliver in Christ. Peter explains, Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of
God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through
the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that
by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:2-4).
John,
the apostle, further teaches us about the struggle for holiness: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what
we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath
this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression
of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:
whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous,
even as he is righteous (1 John 3:2-7). The apostle Paul also wrote the church in Thessalonica ...we beseech you, brethren, and exhort
you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. Forye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification [Greek, hagiasmos,
to ceremonially purify or consecrate, purification, the state of purity, holiness, or sanctified], that ye should abstain from fornication [Greek,porneia, to indulge in unlawful lust of either sex, harlotry which includes adultery and incest, or figuratively idolatry]: That every
one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification [Greek, hagiasmos, consecrated, venerated, purification, to be
in a state of purity, or holy] and honour [Greek, time, valuable, esteemed, dignity, or precious]; Not in the lust of concupiscence [Greek,apithumia, a longing especially for what is forbidden, desire, to lust after], even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man
go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you
and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7). In these verses, Paul clearly
associates holiness with walking, living, or behaving in ways that are pleasing to God the Father. Believers in Christ should abstain
from fornication, should know how to possess his body in sanctification and honour, and should never defraud his or her brother; God
has not called believers to physical or moral impurity, but to holiness.
In our subject verses, the apostle Paul concluded, Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According
as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having
predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise
of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:3-6). According to the scriptures, the believer
in Christ is to be sanctified and holy in every aspect of life. The apostle Peter wrote, Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,
be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children,
not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy
in all manner of conversation [behavior]; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy (1 Peter 1:13-16). Additionally, the believer
is to focus on denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-13); And make straight
paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:13-14).
As with the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul encourages
all believers, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear
of God (2 Corinthians 7:1). while Paul also reminds us, 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; Not in the lust of concupiscence,
even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the
avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (1
Thessalonians 4:3-7).
Paul also instructed the church in Rome to, in spite of their freedom for having to keep the laws of God,
to stop sinning: What then? shall we [believers continue in] sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know
ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience
unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine
which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness (Romans 6:15-18). Paul later added,For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?
for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness,
and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans
6:20-23).
Lastly, based upon biblical instruction, as well as personal, daily experience, we must recognize that although the
believer in Christ is certainly to strive second by second for personal and progressive holiness, but we must also recognize that
such a state of perfection in our own efforts is not humanly possible, not now, not later, not ever. Knowing and keeping all of the
law of God 24 hours a day, year in and year out, for an entire lifetime, is, truthfully, not possible for any human being. If personal
and progressive holiness were possible for even one individual for his or her entire lifespan on this earth, God the Father's plan
of salvation through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ would have been completely unnecessary. But, God, in His
eternal understanding and wisdom, knew that personal holiness and salvation was necessary in some other way, so God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). As Peter
taught, ye know that [in your own efforts] ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation
received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who
verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you (1 Peter 1:18-20). God the
Father knew before the foundation of the world the necessity of the saving ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ.
BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY
HOLY ONLY BECAUSE OF THEIR
SPIRITUAL POSITION OF FAITH IN CHRIST
As we mentioned above, there are two types of holiness. The second
type of holiness referred to by bible scholars and teachers is what is called positional holiness. Positional holiness can be defined
as a reference to the eternal standing or status of the believer in Christ as a result of the individual coming to saving faith in
Christ. Positional holiness occurs at the moment of salvation, when God the Father imputes the perfect righteousness of Christ to
the newly saved individual available only because of the individual's faith in Jesus Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection serving
as the full atonement for our sin. The scriptures make it clear that Christ is the only source of permanent, heavenly, eternal, and
Godly holiness.
Speaking and writing probably to those who can be referred to as dispersed strangers, sojourners, the elect,
or those who have citizenship in heaven and not the world, Peter refers to the believer's positional holiness in Christ with these
words: Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house [by Christ], an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect,
precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which
be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a
rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But [based upon the
will and ministry of Jesus Christ] ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:5-9).
Addressing a Jewish
Christian congregation who had come to faith in Jesus Christ and who were being tempted to return to the faith of Judaism and its
works righteousness, the unknown author of the book of Hebrews writes, we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for
the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became
him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation
perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth [Greek, hagiazo, to make holy, to purify, to make morally blemeless or pure,
to consecrate, or to hallow] and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee (Hebrews 2:9-12). The unknown
author continued, Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which
he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw
near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with
pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised ). (Hebrews 10:19-23).
Again,
in the book of Hebrews, we are instructed, we [who believe in Jesus Christ] are sanctified [Greek, hagiasmos, properly purification
or cause to be pure, or to consecrate, venerate, or hallow] through the offering [Greek, prosphora, presentation, an oblation or sacrifice]of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices,
which can never take away sins: But this man [Jesus Christ], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the
right hand of God (Hebrews 10:10-12). Writing the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
[and believers in Christ] one of Jesus' original disciples, the apostle Peter, wrote, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual
house, [because of Christ and His ministry] an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth
on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which
the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which
stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an
holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light (1 Peter 2:5-9). Because of Christ's offering of His own life, all believers in Christ, Jew and Gentile alike, are now considered
to be a holy nation.
Referring to Christ and faith in Christ, Paul wrote Timothy, For the grace of God [through faith in Christ] that
bringeth salvation [Christ] hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works (Titus 2:11-14). We should note, here, that His people are purified and made holy by Christ, who gave Himself
for us.
Referring to the Jews, but applicable to each of us, the apostle Paul summarized his point about faith as the source
of righteousness when later wrote, Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear
them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going
about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God [available through faith in
Christ]. For Christ is the end [Greek, telos, a definite point or goal, the conclusion, termination, result, or a levy as paid] of
the law for righteousness to every one that believeth (Romans 10:1-4).
Paul added further explanation, Now to him that worketh [at
keeping the Jewish law] is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not [at keeping the Jewish law,
but believeth [and have faith] on him [Christ] that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness (Romans 4:4-5).
Clearly, in the new testament, justification and righteousness is the fruit of believing in Christ and His death and resurrection.
All
believers are sanctified and made eternally holy by the ministry of one person, the person of Jesus Christ; and the holiness imputed
by Christ to the believer in Christ also has a reward, the reward of eternal life.
Paul explained to the church in Rome, Butnow the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of
God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath
set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through
the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth
in Jesus (Romans 3:21-26). Clearly, since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the righteousness of God is no longer attainable
through keeping fully the Jewish law, but is now available only through faith in Jesus Christ and unto all them that believer. Surely,
God is always at work in our lives, and is clearly the basis of any goodness or holiness in man. The scriptures clearly teach that
it is God the Father, through Christ, which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians
1:6). The apostle Paul was very specific that man is not made just and holy by his or her own efforts at keeping the law, but only
because of his faith in Christ: a man is not justified [made just, right and holy] by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus
Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law:
for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Galatians 2:16).
Last of all, in his first letter to the church in Corinth,
the apostle Paul referred to man's single source of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption with these words: For ye
see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath
chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to
bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made
unto us wisdom [Greek, sophia, clarity of higher or lower and worldly or spiritual understanding], and righteousness [Greek, dikalosune,
equity of character or actions, or Christian righteousness or innocence], and sanctification [Greek, hagiasmos, properly purification
or cause to be pure, or to consecrate, venerate, or hallow], and redemption [Greek, apolutrosis, to ransom in full, providing riddance,
deliverance, to pay a redemptive price, or specifically Christian salvation]: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth,
let him glory [boast or rejoice] in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).
It is Christ, with His death and resurrection, and His
holiness, who is the only source of the believer's wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, providing the fruit of eternal redemption
[Greek, apolutrosis, a ransom paid in full, riddance, deliverance, or salvation] and life.
WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE
At
the moment the believer comes to faith in Christ, the holiness of Christ is immediately imputed, positionally speaking, to the believer
in Christ; and this faith and resulting holiness brings many rewards. So, what are the rewards? The most significant reward is salvation
from God's wrath and and the offer of eternal life.
Paul wrote, God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when
we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life (Romans
5:8-10). Paul discusses the same theme: the believer in Christ is justified by the blood of Christ, reconciled to God the Father through
the death of His Son, as well as saved from God's wrath through our faith in Jesus Christ. Paul clearly links the believer's justification
by the blood of Christ and reconciliaiton to God by the death of His son with salvation. Later, Paul specifically mentions the believer's
deliverance from death through faith in Christ our Lord when he wrote the church in Rome: I see another law in my members, warring
against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who
shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the
law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin (Romans 7:23-25). Christ is the one who makes the believer holy and delivers he or she
from unrighteousness and death.
Paul simplified for us the basic process resulting in salvation. Paul clarified, if thou shalt
confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith,
Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over
all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:9-13). Confessing
with our mouths the Lord Jesus Christ, and believing in our heart that God hath raised Christ from the dead carries a reward the
reward of eternal salvation. In exorting the church in Thessalonica, Paul wrote, 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: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren,
stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself,
and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your
hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17).
In speaking to Saul, Jesus Christ referred to
the result, the fruit, the outcome of the believer's positional holiness in Christ with these words: But rise, and stand upon thy
feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen,
and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I
send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me (Acts 26:16-18). Sanctification and positional
holiness in the believer is rewarded with the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance of eternal life.
Likewise, to believers
in Corinth, Paul wrote to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the
name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours (1 Corinthians 1:2). Paul clearly taught that believers in Christ are sanctified
and called, by God the Father, to holiness, salvation, and sainthood. And, in his letter to the Ephesian church, the apostle Paul
connected God's love for and quickening of us with our eventual sittiing together with Christ in heavenly places. Paul explained,But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, [God] hath quickened us together [to
faith, sanctification, holiness, and salvation] with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us
sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness
toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of
works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:4-10).
Writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul specifically mentioned his ministry and
reward, the result of his continued faith - a crown of righteousness and holiness. Paul wrote, I have fought a good fight [of faith;
see 1 Timothy 6:12], I have finished my course [career, calling, ministry], I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for
me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them
also that love his appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
The scriptures clearly teach that faith in Christ has many rewards or fruit,
in fact, too many to list in this article. However, let us mention some of those rewards. Through faith in Christ, the believer is
made physically pure, morally blameless, consecrated, saintly, separated from all that is sinful or impure, or morally imperfect,
justified by His blood, delivered from death, and saved from the judgment and wrath of God the Father for our sins and guilt. The
believer in Christ also has his or her eyes opened, our Father in heaven turns us from darkness [the hidden, lack of understanding]
to light [the revealed, understanding] and from the power of Satan unto God, is sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus, is called to
become a saint, is quickened together with Christ, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, raised up to sit in heavenly places, and
rewarded with a crown of righteousness and holiness. Last, but certainly not least, the believer in Christ is given the inheritance
of eternal life, a life literally in the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ. As Paul summarized in our subject verses, Christ
has hath made us [believers] accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according
to the riches of his grace. AMEN.
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven,
and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread
to the eater: So shall my word [Hebrew, dabar; the speaking, movement, and operation of the Holy Spirit, not the bible] be that goeth
forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto
I sent it
(Isaiah 55:8-11).
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which
ye have learned; and
avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly;
and by good words
and fair speeches deceive
the hearts
of the simple
(Romans 16:17-18).
