JESUS, THE GREAT ACCOMPLISHER HOLY " . . . holy . . . " This is a characteristic of those who are to be presented favorably to the Lord. It is the aim of salvation to produce this result – make men holy. Where people are not holy, there is no justification for claiming to be "saved." God has no salvation that leaves men unholy, or unlike Himself. Where unholiness is found, the Lord is not at work in the individual – and if He is not working in the person, there is no evidence that He is even present within. Again, there is no such thing as a salvation in which God is not working within the person, both to will and to do of His own good pleasure (Phil 2:13). Men may chronicle a salvation that does not include such working, but they are not telling the truth. -- Tomorrow:
"And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight." (Colossians 1:20-22)
Devotion 27 of 32
The word "holy" means sacred, pure, and consecrated to God, and worthy of veneration (STRONG'S/THAYER). Holiness is like a two-sided coin. On the one side, dedication to God is emphasized. On the other side, purity and godliness is the stress.
At the time of the presentation of which our text speaks, the holiness will be intrinsic, with no part of the individual being excluded. In this world holiness is realized in our spirits, and not in our total persons. There is a part of us that must be subordinated, and brought into subjection a part that tends away from God rather than toward Him. Our bodies must be brought under subjection (1 Cor 9:27). There are imaginations to be cast down, and thoughts to be taken captive (2 Cor 10:4-5), both of which occur within the believer. Our minds must thus be "renewed" (Rom 12:2) because of the competitive influences to which it is subjected. We have "members" that are to be "mortified" (Col 3:5), lusts or desires that are to be "denied" (Tit 2:2:12), and the flesh to be "crucified" (Gal 5:24).
Grace teaches us to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts," and to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Tit 2:12). Where such a life is found, grace has been working and teaching. Where it is not found, the Spirit has been quenched, and grace brings nothing to the individual.
Our present condition, praise the Lord, is not our ultimate condition. We will not always be subduing one part while nurturing the other. We will not always be putting off the "old man" and "putting on the new man" (Eph 4:22-24).The objective of our reconciliation to God is to be holy when we see the Lord "face to face" – when we no longer "know in part," but will know even as we are known (1 Cor 13:12).
THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS TRUTH
There are several implications in this stated objective – that we may be presented to the Lord "holy."
First, everything about salvation contributes to this objective. Things pertaining to life and godliness have no utility in any other ultimate goal.
Second, those who have been enlightened concerning salvation will see the need for being holy. They will be able to associate the revelation of God with the purpose of God.
Third, those who are reconciled to God and are living by faith, will have a longing to be presented holy. They will be discontent with imperfection and failings.
Fourth, those who are laborers together with God (1 Cor 3:9) will also have this objective. They will do their best, employing their gifts, in order to contribute to the objective of being holy when we stand before the Lord.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the reality of holiness, and of the expectation of standing before You in that state.