Most Christians in America are not Christians at all, if you measure their conduct and behavior against the expectations of a Holy God.
The things that are important to us, the entertainment we indulge in, our endless excuses for justifying sinful attitudes and conduct, make us no different than the ungodly world around us. In America, its become difficult to identify real Christians from the phony ones. Reminds me of the parable of the “wheat and the tares” that God allows both the “real and the phony” to grow together during the Church age, before His return. (Matthew 13:24-30)
Common negative perceptions among non-Christians is that present-day Christianity and its so-called adherents are judgmental (87 percent), hypocritical (85 percent), old-fashioned (78 percent), and too involved in politics (75 percent). I’m not sure about the “old fashioned” criticism... if that means real Christians don’t compromise Biblical truths and God’s commands for holy living, then being “old fashioned” just might be the pathway to a genuine holy lifestyle.
For the most part, Christians are well aware of the criticisms toward Christianity, but do very little to change the negative perceptions held by non-believers. According to one study... 91 percent of the nation's Christians believe that "Americans are becoming more hostile and negative toward Christianity." Change starts with each person, who calls themselves a Christian. How are you living? What are you doing and how are you acting? What are non-believers seeing in your conduct and attitudes? Are you living in such a way that non-believers can see a “difference” in your lifestyle... or are you living like everyone else in the ungodly world?
The concept of living “holy lives” has boggled the minds of Christians for ages. All people who claim Christ as their savior are called by God to work at living “apart from the world” but it seems so impossible. Many Christians are incredulous and skeptical of the concept of being able to live holy lives.
All who claim the name of Christ are called to be holy, which means to be separated or set apart in close fellowship with God. The Word of God, makes it clear that we are called to emulate the holiness of God in our conduct and attitudes towards the things of the world. Indeed, we do see ourselves as constantly fighting against the allure of sinful living, but God sees us (in His image) as having the right and opportunity to be holy and blameless in His sight. The only possible way to have a relationship with God is to be seen by Him as striving to live holy lives. Let’s look at what the Bible says about man being holy before God.
GOD is Unique... ONE of a Kind.
In Exodus 15:11, we read, “Who is like you among the gods, O LORD? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?” The obvious answer to this question is that no one is like “the” God. In 1 Samuel 2:2, it is written, “There is no one holy like the LORD, indeed, there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God.” David said in a psalm concerning God, “Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy hill, for holy is the LORD our God.” God is the only one ever to be known as the fullness of holiness (Psalm 99:9; 111:9; Isaiah 6:3). Even to this day we are to recognize our God as holy, for, “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; for all the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed” (Revelation 15:4).
MAN NEEDS TO ASPIRE TO HOLINESS
Once Christians understand that God is holy, we are then encouraged to be like Him. Jesus said, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Another rendition of this passage is seen in the writing of Peter in I Peter 1:15-16, “…but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all [your] behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” We are actually commanded to emulate the holiness of God. It seems impossible. So we must learn what it means to develop a lifestyle that reflects the attitudes essential for holy living.
THE WAY MAN CAN BE HOLY
The evidence that man can be holy is seen not only by example, but by direct description. In 2 Kings 4:9 it is said of Elisha, “She said to her husband, ‘Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually.’” Even King Herod knew that John the Baptist was such a man, “…a righteous and holy man, and he {Herod} kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him” (Mark 6:20).
In Ephesians 4:22-24 we find that the main step towards a lifestyle of holiness is to obey the gospel, and put on the “new man.” Paul wrote... “that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in {the likeness of} God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Before someone has washed away the sins from their life in baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16) they have not put on the new man of holiness (Romans 6:1-8).
Peter said of those who have been sanctified, “…you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 2:5). It is after we are committed to Christ [by baptism] that we can begin a transformation of every nook and cranny of our former self, moving our lives into harmony with the Holy God. Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth with the exhortation... “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). When you begin to think of yourself being in harmony with God, which I think is what everyone wants when they become a follower of Christ, then its not so daunting to consider living a holy life.
WHY SHOULD WE BE STRIVING TO LIVE HOLY LIVES?
The Bible encourages us to be holy by reminding us that the only way to be in a genuine relationship with God is to live a life of holiness. That means living different than the world around you. It means separating yourself from the things of the world, the things that can cause unbelievers to question who you really are... a real or pseudo Christian. It’s YOU... you make the difference, positive or negative, by how you act and what you do, as the world of unbelievers observe your conduct and behavior. “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Paul admonished the Thessalonians, “…and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also {do} for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints” (I Thessalonians 3:12-13).
There should be no doubt in our mind that we must live, “In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days”, which is our “spiritual service of worship” (Luke 1:75; Romans 12:1-2).
Are you living in holiness before a holy God? If you are not a Christian, living a life that is completely dedicated to the holy service of God, maybe its time for you to obey the gospel, following the Holy One who gave His life for you (Acts 2:38).
