Holiness as a Process

Holiness in the New TestamentPart 3

Holiness as a Process

Set ApartSet Apartfor Godfor God

MoralMoralPerfectionPerfection

Holinessas anEvent

Holinessas a

Quality

Holinessas a

Process

Holinessas a

State orCondition

Copyright, Michael F. Sabo

Examples of Holiness Positional Holiness Practical Holiness

Event

Process

State/Condition

Quality

Secured at Conversion Begins at Conversion

Sanctification – is not a process of moving from unholiness to holiness but a process of holiness.

Holinessas a

Process

Matthew 23:19

Copyright, Michael F. Sabo

Matthew 23:19 – How blind! For which is greater, the gifts on the altar, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? NLT

Holinessas a

Process

Instantaneous

Matthew 23:19

Hebrews 10:14

Copyright, Michael F. Sabo

Hebrews 10:14 – For by that one offering he perfected forever all those whom he is making holy. NLT

1 John 4:17-18 – As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world.

18Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.

Fearing God’s judgment reveals that you have not yet been perfected in God’s love. NLT

Being perfected (made Holy) is what the Process of Holiness at the Practical level is all about.

Hebrews 10:15-17 – And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so, First he says, 16This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their hearts so they will understand them and I will write them on their minds so they will obey them. 17Then he adds, I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds. NLT

Ezekiel 36:24-27 – For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land. 25Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away and you will no longer worship idols.

26And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new obedient heart. 27And I will put my spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command. NLT

Look What God Has Done!Cleaned you – Born Again

A new heart with right desires that will learn to obey

His Holy Spirit within you

A new human spirit

Romans 12:2 - copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. NLT

Ephesians 1:3 – How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. NLT

2 Corinthians 7:1 – Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God. NLT

Twofold Cleansing   Positionally: The Holy Spirit fully

cleaned you internally – gave you a new spirit (God alone)

Practically: You & the Holy Spirit work together on learning to live a

clean/holy life. (You & God)

Holinessas a

Process

Completed in Glory

Instantaneous

Matthew 23:19

Hebrews 10:14

Copyright, Michael F. Sabo

Examples of Holiness Positional Holiness Practical Holiness

Event

Process

State/Condition

Quality

Secured at Conversion Begins at Conversion

Instantaneous Completed in Glory