1 Thess. 3:11-13; 5:23, “Take Time To Be Holy” (2)

Now, as to the word “holiness” in 2 Cor. 7:1, it is part of a large family of words, but this particular term is only used 3X.  Strong’s definition (majesty, holiness, moral purity) fits well with the “theological” definition we used in our study of “communicable” attributes of God (maintains His own moral excellence, abhors sin, and demands purity in His moral creatures).

In Rom. 1:4 Jesus is declared to be the Son of God “by the Spirit of holiness” by His resurrection from the dead.  The resurrection of Christ is, of course, a “finality” experience for Him.  And for us, we are living the new life, the resurrection life of Christ.  So, we are again reminded of the work of the Spirit, the “Spirit of holiness.”

Then there is 1 Thess. 3:12-13, that the Lord will make us increase and abound in love so He may establish our hearts “blameless in holiness.”  How important and consistent is this?  In 2 Peter 1:5-9 the 8 aspects of the Christian life, with which we will be fruitful and without which we are shortsighted and blind, these end with “love.”  Paul prayer in Eph. 3:14-19, that ends with us being filled with the fullness of God, accomplishes that goal as we comprehend the love of Christ in all its dimensions.  The epitome of maturity in 1 John (cf. 4:12-16) is when we love the brethren so that, having been perfected in love, we have no fear in our relationship with God.  There is no holiness without love.  (By the way, 1 Th. 5:23 sounds the same.  May God “sanctify” you, which is to make us holy.  “Completely” is a term used only in that verse, holoteles, combining the word for “whole” and “end,” making us holy completely and until the end.  It all fits!  Of course!!)

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;

Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;

And run not before Him, whatever betide.

In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,

And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,

Each thought and each motive beneath His control.

Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.