Topical Bible: Holiness: The Character of Christ, the Standard of

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Holiness, as a defining attribute of Christ, serves as the ultimate standard for Christian conduct and spiritual aspiration. The concept of holiness in the Bible is deeply rooted in the nature of God and is exemplified perfectly in the life and character of Jesus Christ. Holiness, in its essence, denotes purity, moral integrity, and separation from sin, reflecting the divine nature.

Christ's Holiness in Scripture

The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the embodiment of holiness. In Hebrews 7:26, it is declared, "Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens." This verse underscores the sinless nature of Christ, highlighting His separation from sin and His exalted status.

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated holiness through His actions, teachings, and interactions with others. In John 8:46, Jesus challenges His accusers, saying, "Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?" This rhetorical question emphasizes His sinless life, a testament to His divine holiness.

Holiness as the Standard for Believers

Christ's holiness sets the standard for believers, calling them to a life of sanctification and moral purity. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, believers are exhorted, "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.'" This call to holiness is not merely an external adherence to rules but an internal transformation that reflects the character of Christ.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently urges believers to emulate the holiness of Christ. In Ephesians 4:22-24, he writes, "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." This passage highlights the transformative process of sanctification, where believers are called to shed their old sinful nature and embrace a new life modeled after Christ's holiness.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The pursuit of holiness is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who works within believers to conform them to the image of Christ. In Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit is described, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes reflect the character of Christ and are cultivated in the believer's life through the Spirit's work.

The Holy Spirit's role in sanctification is further emphasized in 2 Corinthians 3:18, which states, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." This transformation is a progressive journey toward holiness, guided and empowered by the Spirit.

Holiness in the Life of the Church

The holiness of Christ also serves as the standard for the collective life of the Church. The Church, as the body of Christ, is called to reflect His holiness in its communal life and witness to the world. In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul describes Christ's love for the Church, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless."

This passage illustrates the Church's calling to holiness, achieved through the sanctifying work of Christ and the ongoing purification by the Word. The Church's mission is to be a holy community, set apart for God's purposes, and a light to the nations, reflecting the holiness of its Savior.

In summary, the holiness of Christ is the ultimate standard for believers, calling them to a life of purity, moral integrity, and separation from sin. Through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit and the transformative power of the Word, believers are equipped to pursue holiness, reflecting the character of Christ in their individual lives and within the community of the Church.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
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1 John 2:6
He that said he stays in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
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Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
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Library

His Perfect Holiness.
... the ideal standard of virtue and holiness, and universally ... "Christ unites in himself,"
says the late Theodore Parker ... he perverts the life and character of Jesus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his perfect holiness.htm

The Power of Christianity.
... from intellectual and moral) life; a supernatural (as distinct from natural) life;
it is a life of holiness and peace ... But the character of Christ from the ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 44 the power of.htm

Note A. Holiness as Proprietorship.
... placing us in spiritual contact with Christ, is the ... This Holiness in God, as it appears
to me ... tells me nothing positively about the personal character or worth ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/note a holiness as proprietorship.htm

First Day. God's Call to Holiness.
... to have a disposition, a will, a character like God. ... God appeared in a human life:
in Christ's example, in ... holy.' It is because the call to Holiness comes from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/first day gods call to.htm

Hopkinsians.
... For instance, all the holiness in pious fear, which distinguishes it from the ... and
perfections of God, and of the person and character of Christ; but only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/hopkinsians.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... has set up a far higher standard by his ... the one and only perfect model of goodness
and holiness. ... loses on closer inspection; but Christ's character grows more ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

God's Call
... we set up standards for life and character we must ... a binding duty upon every follower
of Jesus Christ to seek ... in a state of impurity, but to Holiness; and he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/howard/standards of life and service/i gods call.htm

The Relation of the Will of God to Sanctification
... Here is a motive as high as the holiness of God. ... No doubt a great deal of human good
is possible to man before he touches the character of Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/the relation of the will.htm

Note C. The Holiness of God.
... than love itself, in the fundamental feature of the Divine character, holiness. ... Faith
Godet writes, on 'The Perfect Holiness of Jesus Christ,' as follows ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/note c the holiness of.htm

Grace and Holiness.
... us of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. ... to continue growing in grace and holiness,
until the ... that our Christianity becomes the permanent character of our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/thomas/the prayers of st paul/i grace and holiness.htm