Embracing Holiness: Living as God's Sanctified Children
Summary
Holiness is not a distant, unattainable ideal, but a present reality for every believer who has been set apart by God. In this sacred moment, God’s presence is tangible, inviting us to move beyond mere existence and into the fullness of life He intends. The call is not simply to avoid sin, but to embrace the sanctifying power of God’s Spirit, which produces in us the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not self-generated virtues, but the overflow of a life surrendered to the holy presence of God.
Sin is not an inevitable destination, but a choice. Through Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin, but to righteousness. Our bodies were never designed to carry the weight of sin; from the very beginning, God’s intention was for us to live in His image, free from the bondage of evil. Jesus came to restore this original design, calling us to a life that is not defined by our failures, but by His holiness at work within us. The struggle with sin is real, but it is not our identity. We are not wretched sinners if we are in Christ; we are saints, sanctified and set apart, temples of the Holy Spirit.
The journey of sanctification is not without its battles. Just as Israel had to fight for the Promised Land and Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, being set apart does not exempt us from testing. Yet, the grace and power of God are unchanging and immovable, enabling us to stand firm and push back against evil. Holiness is not about passivity or blandness; it is about being salt and light, living victoriously and with authority, humbling ourselves so that God can make us whole.
The challenge is practical: believe that it is possible, by faith and the Spirit’s power, to live even a single day without sin. This is not about legalism or self-effort, but about embracing our true identity as God’s beloved, holy children. When we stop rehearsing old religious tropes and start living from the reality of our sanctification, we become agents of heaven on earth. God is not dangling impossible standards before us; He is inviting us to walk in what He has already accomplished in us. The time is now to cultivate heaven, to let the truth of who He is flow through us, and to affect change simply by being who He has made us to be.
Key Takeaways
- Holiness Flows from God’s Presence, Not Our Effort
True holiness is not something we manufacture, but the result of God’s sanctifying presence within us. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—are not self-improvement projects, but the natural overflow of a life surrendered to God. When we allow His holy fire to consume us, the impurities are burned away, and we stand in a new place of purity and power. [01:05:17]
- Sin Is a Choice, Not an Identity
In Christ, sin is no longer our master; we are not destined to fail, but empowered to choose righteousness. The old narrative that we are “just sinners” is a lie that keeps us bound. Instead, we are saints, temples of the Holy Spirit, called to live from our new nature and not the old patterns of defeat. [01:20:53]
- Sanctification Involves Struggle, but It’s Worth It
Being set apart by God does not mean life will be free of battles. Like Israel entering the Promised Land or Jesus in the wilderness, sanctification often brings testing. Yet, these struggles are not signs of failure, but opportunities for God to prove His faithfulness and for us to grow in holiness and authority. [01:23:18]
- Our Mindset Determines Our Experience of Victory
The way we think about ourselves—whether as sinners or saints—shapes our ability to walk in victory. If we continually call ourselves sinners, we undermine the work of the Spirit and the truth of our new identity. Embracing our status as beloved, sanctified children of God enables us to live with confidence, power, and purpose. [01:21:57]
- Heaven Is Cultivated Now, Not Just Awaited Later
Eternal life is not merely a future hope, but a present reality to be lived out. God calls us to bring heaven to earth by living holy, righteous lives here and now. As we align our thoughts and actions with His truth, we become agents of transformation, affecting change in the world simply by being who He has made us to be. [01:41:37]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:03:49] - Experiencing God’s Presence
[01:05:17] - The Call to Holiness
[01:07:25] - Sin as a Choice, Not a Destiny
[01:09:16] - Breaking the Yoke of Sin
[01:10:35] - God’s Original Design and Restoration
[01:12:05] - Wrestling with Good and Evil
[01:14:45] - Our Relationship with Sin
[01:19:18] - The Possibility of a Sinless Day
[01:20:53] - Rejecting the Sinner Identity
[01:23:18] - The Struggle and Worth of Sanctification
[01:24:56] - Being Salt and Light
[01:26:04] - Living Victoriously Through Humility
[01:27:20] - Eternal Life Begins Now
[01:30:10] - Embracing God’s View of Us
[01:33:12] - Living with a Heavenly Mindset
[01:36:21] - The Challenge to Live Holy
[01:39:47] - God’s Plan and Cultivating Heaven Now
[01:41:37] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[01:43:05] - Closing and Invitation to Encounter
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Holiness as a Present Reality
---
### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV)
> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
2. 1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV)
> As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
3. Romans 6:6-14 (ESV)
> We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. ... So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. ... For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 5, what are the characteristics that naturally flow from a life surrendered to the Spirit?
2. In 1 Peter 1, what reason does Peter give for why believers should be holy in all their conduct?
3. The sermon says, “Sin is a choice, not a destination.” What does Romans 6 say about our relationship to sin after coming to Christ?
4. The pastor mentioned that “our bodies were never designed to carry the weight of sin.” What does Genesis say about God’s original design for humanity? ([01:09:16])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon challenges the idea that “we are just sinners” and instead calls us saints and temples of the Holy Spirit. How does this shift in identity affect the way a believer approaches daily life and struggles? ([01:20:53])
2. The pastor says, “Holiness is not about passivity or blandness; it is about being salt and light, living victoriously and with authority.” What does it look like to be “salt and light” in practical terms? ([01:24:56])
3. The journey of sanctification is described as a struggle, like Israel fighting for the Promised Land or Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. Why do you think God allows these battles even after setting us apart? ([01:23:18])
4. The sermon claims that “heaven is cultivated now, not just awaited later.” What does it mean to “cultivate heaven” in your current context? ([01:41:37])
---
### Application Questions
1. The pastor challenged the group to believe it’s possible, by faith and the Spirit’s power, to live even a single day without sin. What would it look like for you to intentionally pursue a “sinless day”? What obstacles do you anticipate, and how could you prepare for them? ([01:19:18])
2. The sermon says, “Stop calling yourself a sinner. You are a saint, set apart and sanctified.” How do you usually think or speak about your identity in Christ? Is there a specific way you can remind yourself of your true identity this week? ([01:20:53])
3. The fruit of the Spirit is described as the overflow of God’s presence, not self-effort. Is there an area where you’ve been trying to “produce fruit” on your own? What would it look like to surrender that area to God’s presence instead? ([01:05:17])
4. The pastor mentioned that our mindset determines our experience of victory. Are there negative or defeatist thoughts you need to replace with God’s truth? What is one practical step you can take to renew your mind this week? ([01:21:57])
5. The sermon says, “Being set apart does not exempt us from testing.” Can you identify a current struggle or test in your life? How might God be using it to grow you in holiness and authority? ([01:23:18])
6. “Heaven is cultivated now.” What is one way you can intentionally bring a taste of heaven—love, peace, kindness—into your workplace, home, or community this week? ([01:41:37])
7. The pastor talked about “failing forward” and not letting past failures define us. Is there a past failure or sin that you need to stop rehearsing and instead embrace God’s forgiveness and new identity for you? ([01:36:21])
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for a deeper awareness of God’s presence, a renewed sense of identity as saints, and the courage to walk in holiness and victory this week.
Devotional
Day 1: Called to Holiness: Living Set Apart
Holiness is not just a distant ideal but a present reality for those who belong to God; it is the overflow of His sanctifying presence within, enabling believers to produce the fruit of the Spirit and live lives that reflect His character. The call to holiness is an invitation to step beyond mere existence and embrace a life that is marked by the wonder-working power of God, where sin is no longer a destination but a choice that can be overcome through the Spirit. As you open yourself to the Lord’s presence, remember that you are not meant to be a slave to sin, but to righteousness, and that God’s desire is for you to walk in the fullness of His sanctifying work. [01:07:25]
1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have settled for “just existing” instead of pursuing the holiness God has called you to? How can you invite His sanctifying presence into that area today?
Day 2: Embracing Your New Identity: No Longer a Sinner
When you accept Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, your identity is transformed—you are no longer a wretched sinner, but a saint, a temple of the Holy Spirit, set apart and filled with God’s power. Continuing to call yourself a sinner after being saved by grace diminishes the reality of what God has done in you; instead, you are called to embrace your new identity as a sanctified, holy child of God. Let go of the old labels and step into the truth that you are chosen, dearly loved, and empowered to live in victory over sin. [01:21:57]
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Reflection: In what ways have you continued to identify with your old nature or past failures? What would it look like to fully embrace your identity as a saint and temple of the Holy Spirit today?
Day 3: The Struggle and the Promise: Sanctification Is Worth It
Sanctification is a journey that involves struggle, testing, and sometimes even battle, but it is always worth it because God’s grace, mercy, and love are unchanging and powerful. Just as Israel had to fight for the Promised Land and Jesus was tested in the wilderness, being set apart by God does not mean life will be without challenges; rather, it means you are equipped to push back against evil and walk in victory. The process of being made holy is not about passivity but about actively partnering with God, trusting that He is cultivating something new and beautiful in your life. [01:24:56]
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think of a current struggle or test in your life—how might God be using this to sanctify you and set you apart for His purposes?
Day 4: Living the Everlasting Life Now
Eternal life is not just a future promise but a present reality that transforms how you live today; the way, the truth, and the life of Jesus are meant to work through you now, empowering you to walk in holiness and victory. The mindset shift from impossibility to possibility is crucial—God does not dangle carrots or set you up for failure, but invites you to experience the fullness of His life and power in the present. As you fix your eyes on what is possible with God, you begin to live out the reality of being a new creation, chosen and dearly loved, part of a royal priesthood. [01:27:20]
John 3:16 (ESV)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can live out the reality of eternal life—God’s way, truth, and life—today, rather than waiting for some future moment?
Day 5: Cultivating Heaven Now: The Challenge of Holiness
God is inviting you to cultivate heaven on earth by living as holy, righteous, and set apart—right now, not just someday in the future. This means allowing His truth and presence to shape every thought, word, and action, so that you become a vessel for His change in the world around you. The challenge is to believe that, through the Holy Spirit, you can walk in purity and holiness today, and that your life can be a testimony to the transformative power of God’s love and grace. [01:41:37]
Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
Reflection: What is one specific thought pattern or habit you can surrender to God today in order to cultivate holiness and bring a taste of heaven into your daily life?
Quotes
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jul 19, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?