Holiness Standards

A person asked me how do I feel about holiness standards.

The idea of holiness is hated more than any other Biblical doctrine, especially in most churches of today. Holiness is not a dirty word. It is the opposite of depravity in act, the opposite of sin. Holiness is an inward and outward conformity to God’s will. Holy means to be set apart. We will not be holy until we first look to God and then imitate Him (Lev. 11:44; Eph. 5:1-2). Christ is our example of what it looks like to be holy. Colossians chapter 3 gives us a practical outline of what holiness looks like.

Some people measure holiness as a list of dos and don’ts. Some people will call sin what is not sin. A person who eats with his left hand, it might be considered a sin. I even heard where someone said it’s a sin to take a long shower!  And to others if a woman doesn't wear a dress it’s considered a sin and so on. Nonsense! Get rid of the lists.

A person who loves God doesn’t worry about a list of rules because he has faith which worketh by love. (Gal. 5:6) It is the type of person he now is - the old creature whose life was full of sin is now a new creature who lives a life of love, hope and faith.

I believe in holiness standards, for in the bible we are always encouraged by moral exhortations.  And I believe that God will make judgment implicitly on a person’s heart and present disposition. There are those who would think that there must be “flawless perfection,” as though there is no ability to sin after converting to Christ.  I don’t believe God is going to judge a person based on “flawless perfection,” but I do believe that God will judge based on consistency, integrity, and authenticity of action, and will use corrective methods (as He did with Israel) to those who seriously go wayward, to hopefully bring them to repentance and a renewed commitment to God’s way. (The people of Nineveh are another example.) 

I do believe if a person can go one hour without sinning, he certainly can go for two, to six hours, to one day, to two days, and so on.  I’m talking about stopping the types of sins that can disqualify one from the coming kingdom (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-20; Eph. 5:3-7; Rev. 21:8).  

The righteous in the bible are not called righteous because of flawless perfection, but the righteous are characterized as righteous by proper attitude of faith and commitment, evidenced by generally consistent of outward obedience.

The sinner on the other hand is defined and characterized by habitually sinning, does not repent, and defies God.  One is either a ‘sinner’ or ‘righteous’, but not both. 

One thing we do know for sure and that is, not all sins are of the same degree. In Ezekiel 8 we read there the people did “detestable” things, then more detestable things, then more detestable things than those.

In the New Testament Jesus talked about those who had the “greater sin." (John 19:11) John says there is a “sin unto death” and a “sin not unto death.” (1 John 5:16) For instance, in the Bible we are told not to be anxious about anything (Phil. 4:6); to give thanks in everything (1 Thess. 5:18); we are supposed to be humble and gentle (Eph. 4:2). We would have to admit that sometimes we fail in some of these areas at times, but I don’t see where this list is in with the others that would disqualify one from the coming kingdom and be consumed by fire in the end.  Though we may fail at times in these areas, we should not let it get to the point of letting it dominate us.  When we start to let anxiousness dominate us, the holy Spirit gently convicts us. When we find that we are holding onto bitterness because we have been hurt, the holy Spirit will convict us. We all have a human nature with natural human responses; God made us this way, but we must not let them get out of control, but put it away out of our lives, forgive where we need to, and get back in line with God's will. 

Preachers today will tell us that those who continue in these vile sins (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-20; Eph. 5:3-7; Rev. 21:8) are still guaranteed eternal life because of a profession of faith made at some point in their past. Our soul is at stake if we believe this. A true child of God produces righteousness, a right way of living, not sinning everyday in thought, word, and deed. There is no such thing as a fornicating Christian, a Christian thief, a Christian liar, a Christian child molester, a Christian idolater, a Christian drunkard, and so on.

I believe on the day of judgment, a person’s repentance and character will be taken into account. In this lifetime God always gives opportunity and room for mercy and forgiveness, repentance and reconciliation because He desires for all to come to repentance so they do not perish (2 Peter 3:9), but don't wait until it's too late because there is no second chance after we die.  A person who desires to please God and do good is placed among the righteous, and those who intentionally reject God and virtue are placed among the wicked. Contrary to popular opinion, a person’s life will be judged based on deeds or conduct.

"The hour is coming when all who are in the their graves will hear his voice and will come out - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."  (John 5:28)

God "…will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation." (Rom. 2:6-8).