You are probably aware of people who are Christians in name only. These lack the fragrance of the Holy Spirit and deny the power thereof. Clouds without water as it were. The profession is present while the possession is lacking. In other words, these folks only speak of a love of Christ while their lives have no mark of change wrought by Him. Their faith is dead faith.

What is most interesting is the recent emphasis the church has seen concerning the doctrine of justification. No doubt it is a wonderful movement, one that should be met with emphatic enthusiasm. I fear however, that the doctrine of sanctification is possibly being regarded as optional.

Let me explain. Throughout scripture we see warning passages concerning holiness. A practical holiness that drives one to the person of Christ imitating and emulating in Christlikeness. Not that one can surpass the holiness of Christ, but the very work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian is to convict them of sin, judgement, and righteousness. Hardly can one be considered Christian who vehemently walks in the council of the wicked. Who walks in a manner contrary to the Gospel. One who dwells in darkness cannot be a child of the light.

We know from the scripture that the natural man loves the darkness. Why? Because their deeds are evil. Think of the first parents who after breaking the command of God sewn fig leaves to cover their loins and hid themselves from God in the shade of the garden. Let it be known they were found out. The darkness is driven out by the light. So it was with the first parents, driven from the garden and the presence of God.

God is holy and demands his own to be holy. All throughout Leviticus as well as other select passages we hear the command “You shall be holy for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16 ESV). Many shy from such a command but the Bible knows nothing of a so called carnal Christian. Would one expect to dwell in a Heaven populated with only holy people and not be holy themselves? Would one want to go to a Heaven that is filled with the holiness of God while loving the vileness of this world in which we live?

Hebrews 12:14 tells us there is a holiness without which no one will see God. That is a shocking statement. Of course we know we are justified by God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. That is indeed our justification, but another thing starts there too. Namely our sanctification. Christians are a set apart people. In the world but not of it. Our allegiance is one of the upmost honor, to the highest name, to the King of kings and Lord of lords! What he has began in us, He will complete (Reference Philippians 1:6). By the power of the Spirit of God, the Christian is conformed to the image of Christ by the ordinary means of grace. The Bible, prayer, and fellowship with the body.

Many will balk at this to be sure. But the understanding is not so much in the state of doing, but the state of being. A Christian is set apart to God. A different creation then they once were. No longer does the Christian dwell in the counsel of the wicked, but walks instead in newness of life. Do not be deceived; no one who practices wickedness will enter into the Kingdom of God. Only those who have put their hand to the plow and press forward are worthy of the crown. The olive tree produces olives. The unfruitful tree is cut down and cast into the fire. Practical holiness is that outward working of what Christ has began within. If the root is indeed faith in Christ, the fruit will assuredly be holiness. SDG!