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.

For more information:

Southern Maryland Christian Information Service BBS (SMCIS)

For more information:

Southern Maryland Christian Information Service BBS (SMCIS)

P. O. Box 463

California, MD 20619

modem 301/8623160

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