Topical Bible: Holiness: The Gospel the Way of

◄ Holiness: The Gospel the Way of ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Holiness is a central theme in the Christian faith, representing the moral and spiritual purity that God desires for His people. The Gospel, as the good news of Jesus Christ, provides the way for believers to attain holiness through faith, grace, and obedience.

Biblical Foundation of Holiness

The concept of holiness is deeply rooted in the character of God. 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 encouraged to emulate the holiness of God. 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.'"

The Role of the Gospel in Holiness

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the means by which believers are made holy. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the power of sin is broken, and believers are set apart for God's purposes. Romans 1:16-17 states, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"

Justification and Sanctification

The Gospel provides both justification and sanctification for believers. Justification is the act of being declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 affirms, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Sanctification, on the other hand, is the process of becoming holy, a lifelong journey of growing in Christlikeness. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 emphasizes, "For it is God’s will that you should be sanctified: You should avoid sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."

The Holy Spirit's Role

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the believer's journey toward holiness. The Spirit empowers and guides believers, enabling them to live according to God's will. Galatians 5:16-17 instructs, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh." The fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, is evidence of a life being transformed into holiness.

Holiness in Daily Living

Holiness is not merely an abstract concept but is manifested in the daily lives of believers. It involves a commitment to living according to God's commandments and reflecting His character in all aspects of life. Ephesians 4:22-24 exhorts believers, "You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

The Community of Believers

The pursuit of holiness is not an individual endeavor but is supported by the community of believers. The church, as the body of Christ, is called to encourage and edify one another in the faith. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Eternal Perspective

Finally, the Gospel's way of holiness has an eternal perspective. Believers are called to live holy lives in anticipation of Christ's return and the fulfillment of God's kingdom. 2 Peter 3:11-12 reminds, "Since everything will be dissolved in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God."

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 35:8
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Way to the Kingdom
... This holiness and happiness, joined in one, are sometimes styled ... hearken to his voice,
"Repent ye, and believe the gospel.". II.1. This is the way: walk ye in it ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 7 the way to.htm

The General Spread of the Gospel
... Series Sermon 63 The General Spread of the Gospel. ... of God, producing uniform,
uninterrupted holiness and happiness ... But setting aside this clumsy way of cutting ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 63 the general spread.htm

The Doctrines of Grace do not Lead to Sin
... I. First, you will see that the gospel of the grace of God promotes real holiness
in men by ... from sin is the gift of divine grace, in what way will that gift ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/the doctrines of grace do.htm

The Two-Fold Aspect of the Divine Working
... not stand in any necessary connection with holiness on the ... of the whole world when
He sent us this Gospel. His 'way' therein was pure, unmingled, universal love ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the two-fold aspect of the.htm

The New Hampshire Baptist Confession. AD 1833.
... being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by ... with divine perfections,
he is every way qualified to ... We believe that the great gospel blessing which ...
/.../the new hampshire baptist confession.htm

Holiness Demanded
... hath this holiness or not; secondly, to give sundry reasons by way of improvement ...
you cannot help knowing it, and, being destitute of gospel holiness, you have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/holiness demanded.htm

Union and Communion with God the End and Design of the Gospel
... Holiness and righteousness are God's face,"the very excellency and ... man is the very
end and purpose of the gospel. ... removed all that out of the way, he comes ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture ii union and communion.htm

"Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
... conjunction which is made in the gospel, were also ... is, that you would seek after
holiness, without which ... many stumblings and wanderings in our Christian way. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vi who walk not.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 25, "I Thank Thee, O Father ...
... 1. When the Holy Gospel was being read, we heard that ... we do as it were celebrate
His Holiness, who is ... praise shall glorify Me, and there is the way, in which I ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xvii on the words.htm

The Heart of the Gospel
... His unconstrained life was holiness itself: he was "the holy child ... I cannot help
trying in my poor way to be ... I have preached his gospel now for many years, but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the heart of the gospel.htm