Holiness: Saints: Possess
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Holiness, in the biblical context, refers to the state of being set apart for God's purposes and is a fundamental attribute of God Himself. The concept of holiness is central to the identity and calling of the saints, who are those sanctified and consecrated to God through faith in Jesus Christ. The saints possess holiness not by their own merit but through the redemptive work of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Biblical Foundation of Holiness

The call to holiness is rooted in the character of God, who is described as holy throughout Scripture. In Leviticus 19:2, God commands, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" This call to holiness is reiterated in the New Testament, where believers are urged to live lives that reflect God's holiness. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, it is written, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

Holiness Through Christ

The saints possess holiness through their union with Christ. By His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus has made it possible for believers to be sanctified. Hebrews 10:10 states, "And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." This sanctification is both a positional reality and a progressive experience, as believers grow in holiness through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the sanctification of the saints. He empowers believers to live holy lives and transforms them into the image of Christ. In Romans 15:16, Paul speaks of his ministry to the Gentiles, "to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." The Spirit's work in the believer's life is essential for the pursuit of holiness.

Practical Outworking of Holiness

The possession of holiness by the saints is evidenced in their conduct and character. Believers are called to live lives that are distinct from the world, marked by purity, love, and obedience to God's commands. In 1 Thessalonians 4:7, Paul exhorts, "For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness." This call to holiness involves a daily commitment to resist sin and pursue righteousness.

Holiness as a Community

Holiness is not only an individual pursuit but also a communal one. The church, as the body of Christ, is called to be a holy community. Ephesians 2:21-22 describes the church as a holy temple: "In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit." The collective holiness of the saints serves as a testimony to the world of God's transformative power.

Eternal Aspect of Holiness

The holiness possessed by the saints has an eternal dimension. In the eschatological vision of Revelation, the saints are depicted as holy and blameless before God. Revelation 19:8 describes the bride of Christ, the church, as clothed in fine linen, bright and pure, symbolizing the righteous acts of the saints. This eternal holiness is the culmination of God's redemptive work and the ultimate hope of every believer.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Corinthians 3:17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 3:1
Why, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God's Inheritance in the Saints
... changed by still degrees into His likeness, possess Him. ... and can only belong to,
'the saints.' So, then ... cannot have God unless you have 'holiness, without which ...
/.../gods inheritance in the saints.htm

Sometimes, However, the Saints in Supplicating God, Seem to Appeal ...
... integrity and innocence, such as all believers should possess. ... does not at the same
time long for holiness. Those supplications in which the saints allude to ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 10 sometimes however the.htm

Fighting Holiness
... The aspects of personal Holiness set out in terms ... fighting saints as well as kissing
saints'; truly the ... wretched fear which seems to possess some professed ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xv fighting holiness.htm

Grace and Holiness.
... may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God ... Lord Jesus Christ with
all His saints.""1 THESS. ... and more enlarged in capacity to possess this love ...
//christianbookshelf.org/thomas/the prayers of st paul/i grace and holiness.htm

All Saints' Day
... that Jesus went up was His own holiness and His ... Now let us consider the company of
Saints who followed Him ... He, who is allowed to possess what is needful, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxv all saints day.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... salvation was after all conditionated upon their perseverance in holiness; and they ...
So that it is possible for individual saints to possess a comfortable ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

Fifth Day. Holiness and Redemption.
... it is redemption sets me free for God now to possess and bless ... I praise Thee for
the teaching of the Spirit of Thy Holiness, leading Thy saints, and me ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/fifth day holiness and redemption.htm

The Excellencies of the Saints' Rest.
... and pierce the dullest soul, and wholly possess its thoughts ... The new nature of the
saints doth suit their ... Indeed, their holiness is nothing else but a spark ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iii the excellencies of.htm

Nineteenth Day. Holiness and Resurrection.
... Study to know and possess the Spirit of holiness as it was ... As the Spirit of holiness
dwelt and wrought in Him ... we beseech Thee to perfect Thy work in Thy saints. ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/nineteenth day holiness and resurrection.htm

Thirteenth Day. Holiness and Humility.
... what the space was filled with can it really possess. ... Lowliness is holiness, because
it gives all the glory to ... in spirit are the Kingdom of the Saints: in them ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/thirteenth day holiness and humility.htm

Resources
Is being holy even possible, since only God is holy? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God is holy, holy, holy? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God speak to Moses out of the burning bush? | GotQuestions.org

Holiness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Holiness

Holiness Holy

Holiness is the Result of God's Keeping

Holiness is the Result of Subjection to God

Holiness is the Result of The Manifestation of God's Grace

Holiness is the Result of Union With Christ

Holiness of God

Holiness: Becoming to the Church

Holiness: Behaviour of Aged Women should be As Becomes

Holiness: Chastisements are Intended to Produce, in Saints

Holiness: Christ: An Example of

Holiness: Christ: Desires for his People

Holiness: Christ: Effects, in his People

Holiness: Commanded

Holiness: David

Holiness: General Scriptures Concerning

Holiness: Israel

Holiness: John the Baptist

Holiness: Ministers should Avoid Everything Inconsistent With

Holiness: Ministers should be Examples of

Holiness: Ministers should Exhort To

Holiness: Ministers should Possess

Holiness: Motives to The Dissolution of all Things

Holiness: Motives to The Glory of God

Holiness: Motives to The Love of Christ

Holiness: Motives to The Mercies of God

Holiness: Necessary to God's Worship

Holiness: None Shall See God Without

Holiness: Paul

Holiness: Promise to Women Who Continue In

Holiness: Promised to the Church

Holiness: Prophets

Holiness: Required in Prayer

Holiness: Saints: Called To

Holiness: Saints: Elected To

Holiness: Saints: Have Their Fruit To

Holiness: Saints: New Created In

Holiness: Saints: Possess

Holiness: Saints: Shall be Presented to God In

Holiness: Saints: Shall Continue In, for Ever

Holiness: Saints: should Continue In

Holiness: Saints: should Follow After

Holiness: Saints: should Have Their Conversation In

Holiness: Saints: should Present Their Bodies to God In

Holiness: Saints: should Seek Perfection In

Holiness: Saints: should Serve God In

Holiness: Saints: should Yield Their Members As Instruments of

Holiness: should Lead to Separation from the Wicked

Holiness: The Character of Christ, the Standard of

Holiness: The Character of God, the Standard of

Holiness: The Church is the Beauty of

Holiness: The Gospel the Way of

Holiness: The Wicked are Without

Holiness: The Word of God the Means of Producing

Holiness: Wives of Patriarchs

The Holiness of God is Incomparable

The Holiness of God is Pledged for the Fulfilment of His Judgments

The Holiness of God is Pledged for the Fulfilment of His Promises

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Character

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Kingdom

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Name

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Words

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Works

The Holiness of God: Heavenly Hosts Adore

The Holiness of God: Requires Holy Service

The Holiness of God: Saints are Commanded to Imitate

The Holiness of God: Saints should Praise

The Holiness of God: should be Magnified

The Holiness of God: should Produce Reverential Fear

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Anger (387 Occurrences)

Omnipotence (2 Occurrences)

Defilement (12 Occurrences)

Light (2869 Occurrences)

Defile (63 Occurrences)

Immaculate

Conception (6 Occurrences)

Beauty (98 Occurrences)

Liberty (32 Occurrences)

Glorifying (21 Occurrences)

Wrath (503 Occurrences)

Tempt (18 Occurrences)

Terrible (90 Occurrences)

Temptation (22 Occurrences)

Exultation (10 Occurrences)

Mete (7 Occurrences)

Convert (6 Occurrences)

Apportion (19 Occurrences)

Thin (39 Occurrences)

Sanctification (13 Occurrences)

Exult (50 Occurrences)

Leviticus (1 Occurrence)

Natural (49 Occurrences)

Salvation (386 Occurrences)

Praise (487 Occurrences)

Perfect (205 Occurrences)

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)

Man (26072 Occurrences)

Likeness (52 Occurrences)

Sanctify (91 Occurrences)

Adoration

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)

Flame (61 Occurrences)

Atonement (112 Occurrences)

Glass (12 Occurrences)

Becometh (82 Occurrences)

Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)

Church (110 Occurrences)

Anthropology

Glory (590 Occurrences)

Remembrance (74 Occurrences)

Comparative

Pentateuch

Ethics

Glorious (91 Occurrences)

Fire (602 Occurrences)

Habitation (90 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Yearning (3 Occurrences)

Vessel (118 Occurrences)

Vale (20 Occurrences)

Notwithstanding (37 Occurrences)

Nazirite (10 Occurrences)

Unblameable (5 Occurrences)

Unblamable (3 Occurrences)

Uncleanness (56 Occurrences)

Ornament (23 Occurrences)

John (154 Occurrences)

Leads (64 Occurrences)

Lawlessness (13 Occurrences)

Loving-kindness (150 Occurrences)

Gracious (106 Occurrences)

Guilt (180 Occurrences)

Growing (31 Occurrences)

Works (379 Occurrences)

Way-faring (6 Occurrences)

Wayfaring (7 Occurrences)

Worldly (25 Occurrences)

Infinitude

Impurity (42 Occurrences)

Infirmity (22 Occurrences)

Included (17 Occurrences)

Figures (11 Occurrences)

Fearful (73 Occurrences)

Freedom (45 Occurrences)

Freed (32 Occurrences)

Filthiness (16 Occurrences)

Faces (158 Occurrences)

Forevermore (27 Occurrences)

Holiness: Saints: New Created In
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