Holiness: The Word of God the Means of Producing
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Holiness, a fundamental attribute of God and a calling for His people, is intricately linked to the transformative power of the Word of God. The Scriptures serve as the primary means through which believers are sanctified and molded into the likeness of Christ. This entry explores the role of the Word of God in producing holiness within the life of a believer.

The Nature of Holiness

Holiness is the state of being set apart for God's purposes, characterized by purity, moral integrity, and spiritual maturity. It is both an attribute of God and a command for His followers: "Be holy, because I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). The pursuit of holiness is a response to God's grace and a reflection of His character in the believer's life.

The Word of God as the Instrument of Sanctification

The Word of God is the primary tool used by the Holy Spirit to sanctify believers. Jesus Himself prayed for His disciples, saying, "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17). This prayer underscores the essential role of Scripture in the process of sanctification, as it reveals God's truth and aligns the believer's life with His will.

The Cleansing Power of the Word

The Word of God acts as a cleansing agent, purifying the heart and mind of the believer. Ephesians 5:26 speaks of Christ's love for the church, "to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word" . This metaphor highlights the purifying effect of Scripture, which washes away impurities and renews the believer's spirit.

The Word as a Guide to Righteous Living

Scripture provides guidance and instruction for living a holy life. Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" . The Word illuminates the path of righteousness, offering wisdom and direction in a world filled with moral ambiguity. By adhering to biblical principles, believers are equipped to make choices that reflect God's holiness.

The Transformative Power of the Word

The Word of God has the power to transform the believer's character, conforming them to the image of Christ. Romans 12:2 exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" . This transformation occurs as the mind is renewed through engagement with Scripture, leading to a life that is increasingly reflective of God's holiness.

The Role of the Word in Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth and maturity are fostered through a deep and consistent engagement with the Word of God. 1 Peter 2:2 encourages believers, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" . The Word serves as spiritual nourishment, essential for developing a robust and mature faith.

The Word as a Source of Conviction and Correction

The Scriptures are instrumental in convicting believers of sin and guiding them toward repentance and holiness. Hebrews 4:12 affirms, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword" . The Word penetrates the heart, revealing areas of sin and prompting believers to seek God's forgiveness and transformation.

Conclusion

The Word of God is central to the believer's pursuit of holiness. Through its cleansing, guiding, transforming, and convicting power, Scripture serves as the divine means by which God sanctifies His people, enabling them to reflect His holy character in every aspect of their lives.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
John 17:17
Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.
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2 Timothy 3:16,17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Divine Word
... is the blasphemy of the Word by those who deny its holiness. ... forsaken the truths
and goods of the Word, in which ... The right hand of God" means Divine omnipotence ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part fourththe divine word.htm

On the Vocation of Men to Salvation
... divine precepts "in righteousness and true holiness," and that ... the contempt shewn
to his word and call ... change cannot be preferred against God without producing ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 16 on the vocation.htm

Man's Greatness and God's Greatness.
... of the Cross of Christ bring beauty and holiness and peace ... of coming into collision
with such a God as our God. ... day we commit sins of thought and word of which ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xviii mans greatness and gods.htm

Self-Scrutiny in God's Presence.
... He who does not avoid a contact between the sin of his soul and the holiness of
his God, but on the contrary seeks ... They needed only to take God at his word. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/self-scrutiny in gods presence.htm

Purposes of God.
... 18. He sendeth out his word and melteth them, he causeth his ... in such a sense, that
upon the whole God secretly, but really prefers sin to holiness in every ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlvi purposes of god.htm

The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ...
... There is no power like that of the Word of God for detaching a man from the world,
the flesh and the devil. ... Holiness must be the object of his pursuit. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrines of salvation a.htm

The Scheme of Necessity Makes God the Author of Sin.
... Is it not repugnant to his infinite holiness? ... is no such case to be found in the
word of God ... But God knew that no external means and motives would be sufficient ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii the scheme of.htm

Regeneration.
... It is intuitively certain that without benevolence or holiness no moral being ... not
of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God, which liveth ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxvii regeneration.htm

God's Providence
... rudder whereby Providence is steered; and holiness, which is ... to man who never heard
of God's covenant with ... Greeks designated the creation by a word which means ...
/.../chapter vi gods providence.htm

What a Revival of Religion Is
... In the Bible, the word of God is compared to ... to appear as lovely specimens of the
beauty of holiness. ... years, and all would be converted that God intended to ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture i what a revival.htm

Resources
Summary of the Book of Leviticus - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What is the Nazarene Church, and what do Nazarenes believe? | GotQuestions.org

How should a believer respond to the characteristics of God? | 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

Related Terms

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: The Wicked are Without
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