Ways To Holiness

Yesterday we looked into the categories of sin. Dr Ed Murphy classified sin into four categories;

1. Moral sins 
2. Religious and occultic sins
3. Social sins
4. Sins of the lack of self-control
5. 
   

According to the Bible, we classify sin into two categories;

1. SOC (Sins Of Commission): These are the DON’Ts that we DO. The first ever sin of commission committed by man was by the eating of the forbidden fruit by Eve. She was specifically told not to do so. Similarly, there are a lot of don’ts mentioned in the 10 commandments such as don’t worship idols, don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, don’t commit murder, etc.
2. SOO (Sins Of Omission): These sins stem from negligence. There are a lot of things that we ought to do like praying, worshiping, spreading the good news from the Gospel, and so on. James 4:14 says Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

These are the 2 major categories that only Jesus succeeded in following and setting as an example for us!
 
What are the ways to holiness?

1. Through Christ.

Colossians 1:22 says But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
Since we identify ourselves in Christ in the New Testament in anything and everything we do, we also get holiness through Christ.
John 1:12 says  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
Through this right as children of God, and after becoming co-heirs with Christ, His holiness also becomes our holiness. This is the start of one’s holiness.

2. By the blood of Jesus.

1 John 1:7 says: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.
There is a washing with the blood when we are saved which is to wash away all the sins from our lives. Throughout our life, we can use this. The blood of Jesus was spilled from many areas of His body but this did not go to waste! Spiritually, His blood is used to cleanse the whole world. Satan still fears the blood of Christ for it is still alive.
Another feature of Christ’s blood is that it will never coagulate. It will not thicken and dry up. It is flowing continuously and still living!

3. By the Word.

John 15:3 says, You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
The Word of God has a purifying effect. 
Ephesians 5:27 says, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Over here, we see the washing of the Word. There is a refining, purifying and sanctifying effect that takes place if we just listen to the Word of God. We change from deep within if we just simply listen to the Word of God for hours on end. And as we mature spiritually, and grow more, so does our inner man.

4. By the Truth. 

John 17:17 says Sanctify them by[a] the truth; your word is truth.
God’s truth completely eliminates Satan’s lies. This is the speciality of truth. Truth will defeat lies in an instance.

5. By God’s Promises.

2 Corinthians 7:1 says 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.

6. Through the Holy Spirit 

2 Thessalonians 2:13 says, But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[a] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
It is not because we are holy that we draw near to Christ rather, it is because Christ comes to us that we become holy as He. The Holy Spirit is also like this!

7. By offering ourselves.

Romans 6:19 says I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
We need to surrender all our commitments and ourselves to God!

8. In reverence for God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 says 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.

9. Through the discipline of God.

Hebrews 12:10 says They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

10. By hoping in Him.
1 John 3:3 says All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

11. By making deliberate effort.
Hebrews 12:14 says Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
That means giving importance to holiness in our life.

12. By the sufferings God allows in our lives.
Romans 8:18 says, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.