The call to holiness is paramount

 The call to holiness is paramount

 Holiness and righteousness are the main objective of our calling, they both form our new nature as we have been duly instructed saying; “and that you put on the new man who was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

Although both were imputed through the righteousness of Jesus Christ nevertheless, both are required to be practiced and perfected for we have been duly admonished saying; “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” And, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” ( 1John 3:7; 2Corinthians 7:1).

Holiness is actually the fruit or the product of righteousness, not our own righteousness which is as filthy rags before God, neither is it by the works of the law, for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified, but it is by having faith in Jesus Christ our Righteousness.

Now since faith without works is dead, I beg to ask the question, how can one nourish and develop this new nature which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness? Remember, holiness is the fruit or the result of righteousness as alluded to by the apostle Paul who wrote; “I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness” (Romans 6:19).

And so the noble question is, how do we present the members of our body as slaves of righteousness in order to produce holiness? Or in other words, how do we nourish the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness?

The nourishment of the new man is precisely as Jesus quite emphatically said; “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven --- not as your fathers ate the manna and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever" (John 6: 53-58).

The irony of truth is, one cannot chide away from the act of righteousness that produces holiness for it has been God's plan for man even before the foundation of the world: His plan for achieving His goal was the secret mystery that was hidden from men of other ages, for had they know they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.

And it is only when one practices this act of righteousness that one becomes righteous and ultimately culminates in holiness which is to be free from sin as we have been duly admonished saying; “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning.'

“For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3: 4-9).

Please note carefully that the scripture states quite emphatically that, “Whoever abides in Him does not sin.” So the logical question is how does a person abide in Christ so as not to sin? Jesus Christ stated quite emphatically, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him” (John 6:53-56).

Failure to understand and believe the rationale for the new covenant is the main reason why believers are encountering the difficulties that they are experiencing for it is stated quite clearly that; “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself, that is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep” (1Corinthians 11:27-30).

The literal and practical terms of the new covenant is the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But the question is, have we received this amazing grace of God in vain?

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To be continued, stay tuned

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph