Holiness through faith in Christ

Tozer declares “we” come into the presence of God with tainted souls and do nothing about it. His words for today also seem to accuse Christians of living careless lives even though we go to church and go through all the motions, there is a neglect of holiness. That is, our salvation is not evident because of a lack of genuine spirituality.

I’m not sure what was going on in Tozer’s era or circumstances, nor do I understand his concept of holiness. What I do know is Jesus Christ is my holiness, my righteousness. Without the Savior there is no salvation. Without the holy Son of God, there is no holiness. Whatever in me that is godly comes from Him.

Yes, many of us live with our own concept of morality yet in the process of being sanctified by God, we learn that we always fall short. If the righteousness of Christ were not imputed on us and if God judged us by our performance, no one could be saved or allowed into the gates of heaven.

Even great men of God admitted their failure to be like Him. Isaiah said, “I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). Paul said, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

We come dirty into the presence of God but the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Like the Israelites of old, we often are determined to do better, yet repeatedly struggle with sin. We know that our salvation is in Christ yet we are told to work it out with fear and trembling as He works in us. What is our part and what is God’s part? That question can be confusing.

We also know that holiness is the standard and most of us realize that we fall short. Tozer uses this verse:

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

I note it says, “the holiness” and realize that there is more than one kind. We can have a self-righteous sanctification that claims to never sin and gets called ‘holier than thou.’ The holiness at the other end of the spectrum is what Paul was talking about by saying, “I am the chief of sinners” and still be a righteous man. He knew where his righteousness came from. Even though he disciplined himself and aimed high, he also knew that his efforts were a waste without the grace of God that makes holiness possible.

One verse is a great encouragement to me and helps me when my resolve to be holy falls in the mud:

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6–7)

I received Jesus by faith, confessing that I cannot save myself. I’m also striving to walk by faith, continually realizing that I cannot conquer sin or be holy without Jesus. He works in me to take away sin. I am in awe of His power to save.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Falling down is not the issue. All Christians struggle with living to God’s high standards. Paul knew he was not there yet. Even as a mature believer, he said this about being like Jesus:

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” (Philippians 3:13–15)

And to me, he says: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

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Jesus, Your salvation declares me holy then makes me what You say I already am! I’m thinking that You are more pleased in those days when I’m on my face realizing over again and more deeply that I cannot save myself than You are in those days when I am trying to be holy without any humility or even awareness of how far short I fall. I need You every moment!

Holy is not about worn out socks!

Most times the word “holy” is used, it is negative — as an expletive or an accusation against someone who is ‘holier than thou’ with pride in their goodness. However, in the Bible holiness is never presented as a negative quality or prideful piety. It describes God as perfectly holy or kind, merciful, pure and blameless in an intense and most extreme way.

God’s people are also described as holy because He regenerates us with the indwelling presence of Christ. When that happens, our lives begin to change, never to the same degree as God, but with God living in me, I cannot help but be different. The goal is purity of life, being like the Lord.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:1–3)

The Old Testament presents a description of eternal life in a renewed earth. Like God’s people, the land will be changed, and we will be walking in holiness:

"The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus . . . Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert . . . And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 35:1; 5-6; 8–10)

Tozer writes that holiness is moral wholeness, yet Isaiah indicates that it is more than that. Those who have this wholeness are also healed from physical shortcomings, kept in God’s will, and joyful about the wonderful way in which they can now live. No one will say that God is a kill-joy because we will experience a joy that removes all sorrow and all expressions of sorrow!

How can a person be holy? In myself it is impossible. In Christ, it is first bestowed and then, because of His grace and the power of His Spirit, I can begin to live as one of God’s holy people, purifying myself because of my hope. I know that God promises eternity with Him. I know that only holy people will share in that promise. Because of that hope, I can cooperate with Him as He works to purify my life.

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Jesus, most of the time I see myself as having a long way to go. I know that You tell me to purify myself and that You are at work to make that happen. I also know that You will finish what You started in me, despite how unworthy I am. Yet I tend to focus on the negative. Help me to remember all the encouragement in Your Word and the many words of blessing others have given me — about who I am because of You, holy and beloved, Your child and being changed into Your likeness.