How would you define holiness and holy living?

Big Dummy · #1 12-11-2011, 05:00 PM

shag · #2 12-11-2011, 05:07 PM

Doing our best to put on the mind of Christ, His will, His purpose first and foremost in our everyday lives, thereby presenting ourselves a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to the Lord.

Along with the realization that any "thought of righteousness" asside from him, is not even righteous, but rather nothing but filth at best.

Hoovie · #3 12-11-2011, 05:41 PM

What are your thoughts Big D??

freeatlast · #4 12-11-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dummy

How would you define holiness and holy living?

My description would not include one thing about how you dress or how you cut, or don't cut your hair.

FlamingZword · #5 12-11-2011, 10:51 PM

Holiness is very simple, it is about living as if Jesus Christ was standing next to you, which he is.

Aquila · #6 12-11-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

Holiness is very simple, it is about living as if Jesus Christ was standing next to you, which he is.

That's a good thought. I'd like to develope on that thought.

The only thing wrong with it is that Jesus standing next to you is that He's outside of you. The Fathers will is that you be conformed into the very image of Jesus. The issue is identification. He shouldn't be next to you, He must BE your identity. To be Holy, cultivate the very person of Christ in you. You must reckon yourself CRUCIFIED. You're dead. You no longer live...He's living in you, He's your life and identity.

To be holy...be Jesus.

deacon blues · #7 12-12-2011, 10:05 AM

TF Tenney defined it to me once in a one on one conversation as "a relationship with God". As good a definition as I've heard.

Dante · #8 12-12-2011, 10:08 AM

Holiness is imitating the life of Christ.

Aquila · #9 12-12-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deacon blues

TF Tenney defined it to me once in a one on one conversation as "a relationship with God". As good a definition as I've heard.

I think it's a good definition. But soteriologically, it's incomplete. Many have a "relationship" with Jesus but never allow themselves to be conformed into His image and likeness. For example, Judas. Judas had a "relationship" with Jesus. However, Judas was never transformed into the likeness of Christ through that relationship.

Being holy is grounded in our transformation through regeneration and our being conformed into the image of Jesus Himself, the likeness of His very person flowing from us into the world as a river flows into the the sea.

Obviously, holiness isn't adherence to standards issued by a church or denomination. Why? Because they will only conform you into the image of their bylaws and denomination. The "Apostolic Identity" movement scares me in this respect. They are so focused on being conformed into the notion of what a 21st century Pentecostal should be... they might die good "Pentecostals" fashioned into the image of the Pentecostal church... but they may not truly reckon themselves crucified with Christ and through the Spirit be conformed soley into His image. In the Judgment Jesus might agree... they were wonderful Pentecostals. But the problem is... Jesus isn't a Pentecostal. Jesus is God. We are to take on the mind of Christ and be conformed into His image. Standards can never bring the holiness being led of the Spirit can bring as one seeks to find their identity in Christ alone.

Aquila · #10 12-12-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante

Holiness is imitating the life of Christ.

Imitating is good. And we should strive to do it when we don't necessarily "feel" the life of Christ abiding in us. However, Jesus must become our very life. The very air we breathe. Our entire identity must be lost in Him. We must allow ourselves to vanish as a vapor and allow His life to flow through us.

More than an imitation... a true reproduction of Christ's own person in us through the Spirit.