| | 8. HOLINESS
DOESN'T A PERSON HAVE TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE IN ORDER TO BECOME A
CHRISTIAN?
No, a sinner is not able to live a holy life until after he is
saved.
DOES GOD EXPECT CHRISTIANS TO LEAD HOLY LIVES?
He most certainly does. 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Titus 2:11-13.
DOES ANY CHRISTIAN LIVE A LIFE OF SINLESS PERFECTION?
No Christian lives sinlessly. 1 John 1:8,10. The Lord Jesus
Christ is the only Person who ever lived a perfect life.
HOW IS IT THAT CHRISTIANS CAN STILL SIN AFTER THEY ARE SAVED?
The reason is that the believer still has the old, evil,
corrupt nature with which he was born. This is not removed at the
time of conversionl. Romans 7:17.
IN WHAT WAY, THEN IS THE BELIEVER DIFFERENT FROM THE UNSAVED?
The believer has a new nature which he receives at conversion.
Scripture speaks of this as "the divine nature." 2 Peter 1:4.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO NATURES?
The old nature is incurably bad and continually seeks to drag
the Christian down into sin. Romans 7:21.
The new nature is only capable of good and seeks to lead the
believer in paths of holiness. Romans 7:22.
WHY DID GOD ALLOW THE EVIL NATURE TO REMAIN AFTER CONVERSION?
The old nature teaches us our own nothingness and weakness and
makes us continually dependent on the Lord for strength to resist
temptation. Romans 7:24.
ARE ALL CHRISTIANS TEMPTED?
Yes, all Christians are tempted. 1 Corinthians 10:13.
DOES A CHRISTIAN EVER HAVE TO YIELD TO TEMPTATION?
No, a Christtian only sins when he wants to. He has the power
of the Holy Spirit living within him, and this power is
sufficient to deliver from all temptation. Galatians 5:17.
WHAT IS GOD'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE OLD NATURE?
God saw that it was worthy of death, so He condemned it at the
Cross of Calvary. He does not try to reform it, improve it or
clean it up. It is utterly hopeless and so God see it as having
been put to death when Christ died. Romans 6:6.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE BELIEVER'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE OLD NATURE?
He should keep it in the place of death, that is, whenever the
old nature tries to tell the Christian what to do, he should
refuse to obey that which has been condemned by God. Romans
6:11,12.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE BELIEVER'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE NEW NATURE?
He should feed it, cultivate it and encourage it through study
of the Scriptures, spending time in worship and prayer, serving
the Lord and otherwise doing those things that are pleasing to the
Lord. Galatians 5:22,23.
WHAT, IN BRIEF, IS THE SECRET OF LIVING A HOLY LIFE?
The secret is in being occupied with the Lord Jesus in
worship. We become like what we worship. There is no
once-for-all way of achieving holiness; it is a life-long process.
2 Corinthians 3:18.
CAN YOU GIVE ANY OTHER PRACTICAL HELPS TOWARD HOLY LIVING?
1. Guard your thought life. You can control what you think.
Philippians 4:8.
2. Make no provision for the flesh. Romans 13:14.
3. Remember that Christ lives within your body. Colossians
1:27.
4. In moments of temptation, cry to the Lord to deliver you.
Matthew 14:30.
5. Keep busy for the Lord. Ecclesiastes 9:10.
6. Engage in some physical exercise. 1 Timothy 4:8.
BUT DOESN'T THE CHRISTIAN HAVE TO KEEP THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN
ORDER TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE?
The Scripture teaches that the believer is not under the Ten
Commandments as a rule of life. Romans 6:14.
1. The purpose of the law is to make men realize they are
sinners and not to make them holy.
2. The law condemns to death all who do not keep it
perfectly. No one can be under the law without being
under this curse.
3. Christ paid the penalty of the law which we had broken,
and now the law has nothing more to say to the child of
God. Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:13.
DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE CHRISTIAN CAN GO OUT AND COMMIT MURDER AND
ADULTERY?
Not at all. The Christian doesn't want to do these things
because of his new life. Men under law live in fear of
punishment. Men under grace are constrained by love to Christ.
Love is a much stronger motive than fear. Men will do for lvoe
what they would never do because of fear.
IF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT THE BELIEVER'S RULE OF LIFE, WHAT
IS?
The life and teachings of Jesus are the pattern and guide for
the Christian. 1 John 2:6.
IN WHAT WAY ARE THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS DIFFERENT FROM THE LAW?
This is answered in the fifth chapter of Matthew. The law
said, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Jesus said, "Whoever
looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with
her already in his heart." See verses 27,28.
The law said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."
Jesus said, "Resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on
thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. See verses 38-42.
The law said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." Jesus
said, "Love your enemies." See verses 43,44.
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR MEN TO LIVE AS JESUS TAUGHT?
Humanly it is impossible. But the Lord has given the Holy
Spirit to all believers so that they will have the power to live
in this supernatural way. 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 5:16,17.
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