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Rest In Christ’s Holiness

Christians should hunger for the holiness of God as they look to the only Person that lived on this earth who truly walked in the will of God. Jesus Christ said, “For I have come down from heaven not to do My will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38) As Christians study the Word of God, the Holy Spirit reveals to them all that is on the heart of God. God’s desire is that Christians have His truths in their innermost being. (Psalm 51:6) That is a high standard to strive for.

Many is the time Satan has accused the Brethren. He reminds them that because they have failed in their service to the Lord and in their thoughts, they prove that they are not sanctified for the Lord’s work. The compromises they make prevent them from sharing in God’s purity, their labors for the Lord are in vain because of some inconsistency in their work for Him—just more of Satan’s lies and accusations.

The fact is Christians are a work still in progress. The sinful nature haunts them daily, the world view has powerful influence, and Satan is a great liar. However, the Holy Spirit convicts with the truths found in the Bible. He will lead Christians in taking refuge in Christ’s righteousness and holiness.

There are times when Christians have as Isaiah did when he received his commission from the Lord, “…For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips.” (Isaiah 6:5) To this day, a true Biblical examination of ourselves and the people around us reveals this same truth. Nevertheless, through Christ as Savior and Lord, Christians are given “The Great Commission.” They also have the same assurance Isaiah was given in his commission, “See, I have touched your lips, your guilt is taken away, your sin atoned for.” (Isaiah 6:7)

Christians enjoy the holiness of God through Christ because He is the one who was without sin, (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22) The Bible says, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we may become the righteousness of God.” (1 Corinthians 5:21)

As the children of God pursue holiness they will have to face accusation from the devil coming through different vessels. They will have to surrender to the Holy Spirit’s conviction over thoughts of lust, resentment and pride. They will struggle with sin as the apostle Paul did. (Romans 7:7-25) They will also know the victory obtained through the Holy Spirit. Paul writes, “You, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God is in you.”

While growing in the holiness of God Christians will at times become overwhelmed, it is in these times they must rest in Christ’s holiness.

Jerry Bridges who works with The Christian Character Library shared of a time when he was struggling and fully aware of his failures to achieve God’s perfect will for him. He found comfort in Christ’s holiness and he would sing this stanza, “Just as I am with one plea, But thy blood shed for me, And Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come.”

Rest in Christ as you strive to enjoy the holiness of God!