When I was a child, I really enjoyed science classes and experiments. Even though I wasn’t the best math student, I really enjoyed chemistry. I don’t know if it was the fact that we got to play with fire or that we were always mixing things together to see what creation we could come up with. It certainly wasn’t the fact that I frequently mixed things wrongly and caused a huge, stinky smoke cloud that forced us to evacuate the lab and land me in trouble.
I enjoyed chemistry so much that when I entered college I made sure that I took a chemistry class. The outcome was the same. I still didn’t quite get the formulas correct and had some interesting times in the lab. Although it was fun and interesting for me, the teacher didn’t share my enthusiasm because she knew I was missing the beauty of the perfect formula. I finally was paired with a chemistry major, which helped me follow the perfect formulas for experiments, and the results were amazing. I learned that formulas really do make sense and work according to the plan.
With that in mind, I invite you to join me in reading 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1. (Read) We will see in this passage that the author Paul has clearly laid down for us the formula for Holiness.
Paul had helped to establish the Corinthian church during his missionary journeys and regularly corresponded with them to check their spiritual growth. In between his first and this second letter the church had fallen prey to false prophets who were attempting to hinder heir spiritual maturity. In this particular part of his letter to the Corinthian church he is teaching them how to take the next step in their relationship with God, which is holiness
. Through our time together today you will be challenged to look at your life and see if you have the formula correct. If not, you will have an opportunity to approach the great tutor at the mercy seat during our study of God’s word.
From this passage of Scripture we will learn that SEPARATION FROM SIN plus FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD equals HOLY LIVING. That is the formula for Holiness that we will explore in greater detail this morning. Now that you know the formula, let’s see how it works. The first part of the equation is SEPARATION FROM SIN.
Before you can understand the concept of separation from sin we must review what constitutes sin. Sin is anything that is not pleasing to God. We were all born as slaves to the sinful nature because of the sin of Adam. But, we also know through scripture that if we accept the gift of redemption through Jesus we are free from this birth defect.
Romans 6: 6-7 says, “For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” This assures us that when Christ died for our sins on the cross, our bondage to sin died with Him when we accept Him as our Savior.
That means that God expects us to turn away from our way of living in the sinful nature. Galatians 5:19-21 tell us, "the acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
We must work to resist the temptations thrown at us by the tempter and live according to God’s plan for our life. Hebrews 10:26 tells us, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.” We cannot crucify Christ a second time for sins redemptive purposes. Therefore, we must cease to sin and separate ourselves from its clutches.
We cannot be devoted to sin and God at the same time. If we want to be a child of God we must achieve SEPARATION FROM SIN. As redeemed sinners, we become aware of the fact that our sinful nature has kept us separated from God because He cannot accept sinful living. Therefore, by SEPARATING OURSELVES FROM SIN we can enter into the next part of our formula; FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.
When we have accepted Christ as our Savior and separated ourselves from sin we can have fellowship with God. Galatians 3:26-29 teaches us, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” We are the sons and daughters of God. As such we are the recipients of His love and companionship.
He creates this constant companionship with us through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Jesus taught that when He left from this world, His Father would send a replacement to dwell in us and teach us and guide us. If our hearts are transformed and we are new creations, the Holy Spirit of God can live in our hearts to provide a constant bond with our heavenly Father.
Fellowship means to be in a state of intercourse with another person. It also means to share space and time together which explains how the nature of our fellowship with God’s Holy Spirit should work. We must stop living as though we are in complete control of our lives independent from any other influence. We must learn to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit with whom we are connected in fellowship. Our thoughts and goals should begin to shift from personal to mutual.
We have become a new creation in Christ and are active participants in a symbiotic relationship. Our thoughts and goals are the same and we enjoy eachother’s company. Fostering growth in this fellowship should become the focal point of our life.
You can’t have cereal without milk and you can’t have fellowship with God without the Holy Spirit present in your life to complete the pairing. Nor can you remain the same. Just like milk changes the very nature of cereal, SEPARATION FROM SIN plus FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD will equal HOLY LIVING in your life.
We are commanded to be holy as God is holy. To reach that point in our life we must first separate ourselves from sin and seek fellowship with God and allow Him to work in us.
Holiness is best defined as being made complete in purity through the work of God’s Holy Spirit in your life. Holiness is not being perfect like Christ or the angels. Nor does it exempt us from mistakes or temptation. It does however allow God to be Lord of our life and enables Him to complete His work in us.
Holiness is living in complete submission to the ways of God. Our thoughts are based upon His thoughts and influence. We have lost the desire to live according to the sinful nature. Our only focus is to please God in all that we do. He enables us to resist temptation and teaches us throughout our walk with Him, the way to live according to His truth .
We know that God is not impressed with our deeds, but when He begins to make us holy, the fruit of the spirit will be evident in our lives. There will be no doubt among others that there is something different about us. We will show love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. We will esteem others above ourselves and want only to serve them as we become more Christ-like.
As we model holy living others will want the same relationship with God that we have. It will be up to us to share with them the formula for entering into this state of grace.
In closing today, I want to review our simple formula for Holy Living. Just like two plus two equals 4, SEPARATION FROM SIN plus FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD equals HOLY LIVING.
Where are you at in this equation today? Have you accepted Christ as your Savior and been freed from the bondage of sin? Have you learned to separate yourself from sin, or are you still a victim of Satan’s ploys? Have you entered into fellowship with God so that He can fill you with His Holy spirit and be united with your heart?
If you haven’t accepted Him as you Savior so that you can be free from sin, come to the altar and let someone pray with you this morning. If you have accepted Him as your Savior but still find yourself joined with sin, come forward and let me pray with you. If you have been separated from sin but are not enjoying fellowship with God this morning, come forward and let me pray with you at the altar of fellowship. If you have separated yourself from sin and entered into fellowship with God but are unaware of the holy work of God, come forward and fellowship with Him this morning. Holiness is not an option it is a requirement of God. Please come this morning.
