Go! And Live A Holy Life Series

Go! And Live a Holy Life

Introduction:

The Christian life is a call to holiness. In a world that promotes self-indulgence, compromise, and sin, God calls us to live differently. 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NLT) declares: "He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them." The sacrifice of Christ demands a response: a life set apart for Him. But what does holiness mean, and how do we live it out daily?

1. Holiness is God’s Purpose for Us

1 Peter 1:2 (NLT) – "God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace."

The Greek word for holy, hagios (?????), means "set apart for God’s use." From the foundation of the world, God chose us to be holy, not because of our works but by His sovereign grace.

Holiness is not an option; it is God’s divine purpose for us. We must surrender daily to His sanctifying work in our lives.

“Holiness is not the way to Christ; Christ is the way to holiness.” – Adrian Rogers

2. Holiness Reflects Christ’s Image

Romans 8:29 (NLT) – "For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."

The word symmorphos (s?µµ??f??) means "conformed to" or "shaped like." God’s goal is to mold us into the likeness of Christ.

If our lives look no different from the world, we must ask if we are truly being shaped by Christ.

A sculptor carefully chisels away at a block of marble to reveal a masterpiece. God is shaping us into the image of Christ, removing all that is not of Him.

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle." – Brennan Manning

3. Holiness is Rooted in God’s Love

Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) – "Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes."

God’s love is not based on our performance. The Greek word eklegomai (??????µa?) means "to choose out of a personal preference." God chose us out of His love.

We do not strive for holiness to earn God’s love; we pursue holiness because we are already loved.

A father loves his child unconditionally, but he also disciplines them for their good. Likewise, God’s love compels us to live in obedience.

"Holiness is the essence of God’s character, and He desires it to be the essence of ours." – R.C. Sproul

4. Holiness is the Church’s Calling

Ephesians 5:25-27 (NLT) – "For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word."

Christ’s love for the church is sanctifying. The Greek word katharizo (?a?a????) means "to cleanse, purify, or make whole."

As the body of Christ, we must pursue purity in doctrine, worship, and conduct.

A bride prepares for her wedding with great care. The church must prepare for Christ’s return with the same devotion.

"The church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners—yet it must always seek holiness." – Charles Spurgeon

5. Holiness Requires Active Pursuit

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NLT) – "Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God."

Paul calls for active purification. The Greek word epiteleo (?p?te???) means "to complete, fulfill, or bring to maturity."

Holiness does not happen passively. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts.

"Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God." – J.C. Ryle

6. Holiness is a Lifestyle of Wisdom

Ephesians 5:15 (NLT) – "So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise."

The Greek word sophos (s?f??) means "wise, skillful, cultivated." A holy life is a life of godly wisdom.

How we spend our time, the words we speak, and the company we keep all reflect our pursuit of holiness.

A ship’s captain must carefully navigate to avoid hidden reefs. Likewise, we must navigate life wisely.

"Holiness and wisdom walk hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other." – John Piper

Conclusion: A Call to Holiness

God has called us to holiness because He is holy (1 Peter 1:13-16). This is not a burden, but a joy. As we surrender to Him, He transforms us into His likeness.