Embracing Holiness: The Call to Christian Living

 

Summary

In Ephesians 5:5, Paul delivers a solemn warning about the incompatibility of certain behaviors with the Christian life. As Christians, we are called to separate ourselves from our past lives of sin and embrace a new way of living that reflects our status as saints, set apart by God. This passage emphasizes that behaviors such as fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness, which is equated with idolatry, have no place in the kingdom of Christ and God. The Apostle Paul insists that this truth is self-evident to anyone who truly knows Christ, yet he finds it necessary to remind the Ephesian Christians—and us—of this reality.

The danger lies in our tendency to rationalize our sins and focus on subjective happiness rather than the objective holiness that God desires. Christianity's ultimate goal is not our happiness but our holiness, aligning us with God's nature. The Apostle warns against the subtle deception that suggests grace allows us to continue in sin. Instead, true faith in Christ leads to a transformation that aligns our lives with God's standards.

The kingdom of Christ is also the kingdom of God, and it demands holiness. The law has not been abolished by Christ but fulfilled, and the standard remains unchanged. Justification by faith is the beginning of a process that includes sanctification and ultimately glorification. If our lives do not reflect this process, we must question whether we have truly been justified. The warnings in Scripture serve as a means of sanctification, urging us to examine our lives and align them with God's holiness.

Key Takeaways:

1. Holiness Over Happiness: Christianity's primary aim is to make us holy, not happy. Happiness is a byproduct of holiness, not the goal. Our relationship with God and standing in His holy sight should be our focus, not our subjective feelings or desires. [12:33]

2. The Danger of Rationalization: We often rationalize our sins, excusing our behavior while condemning others for the same actions. This self-deception blinds us to the truth and hinders our spiritual growth. We must confront our sins honestly and seek God's perspective. [10:10]

3. The Kingdom's Unchanging Standard: The kingdom of Christ and God demands holiness. Christ did not lower the standard of God's law; He fulfilled it. Our justification by faith is the beginning of a process that includes sanctification, leading to ultimate glorification. [31:29]

4. The Role of Scripture in Sanctification: The warnings and teachings in Scripture are tools God uses to sanctify us. They awaken true believers to their need for holiness and prompt self-examination and repentance. [39:24]

5. Evidence of True Justification: True justification by faith results in a life that reflects God's holiness. If there is no evidence of transformation, we must question whether we have truly been justified. Our lives should demonstrate the process of sanctification. [36:55]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 5:5
- [00:36] - Call to Separate from Sin
- [01:15] - Positive Christian Conduct
- [02:06] - Reasons for Forsaking Sin
- [02:40] - The Meaning of Being a Saint
- [03:42] - Idolatry and Its Insult to God
- [05:19] - The Solemn Warning
- [06:22] - Self-Evident Truths for Christians
- [07:40] - The Danger of Subjectivity
- [09:20] - Rationalizing Sin
- [11:26] - The Subtlety of the Devil
- [12:33] - Holiness as the Ultimate Goal
- [14:34] - God's View on Sin
- [21:07] - The Meaning of Inheritance
- [23:24] - The Kingdom of Christ and God
- [31:29] - The Unchanging Standard
- [36:55] - Evidence of Justification
- [39:24] - Scripture's Role in Sanctification

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 5:5 - "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
2. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
3. Revelation 21:27 - "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific behaviors does Paul warn against in Ephesians 5:5, and why are they incompatible with the Christian life? [00:11]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between holiness and happiness in the Christian life? [12:33]
3. According to the sermon, what is the danger of rationalizing our sins, and how does it affect our spiritual growth? [10:10]
4. What role does Scripture play in the process of sanctification, as discussed in the sermon? [39:24]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of holiness over happiness challenge modern cultural values, and what implications does this have for Christians today? [12:33]
2. In what ways might Christians today rationalize their sins, and how can they confront this tendency according to the sermon? [10:10]
3. How does the sermon explain the unchanging standard of God's kingdom, and what does this mean for believers' lives? [31:29]
4. What evidence of true justification should be visible in a believer's life, and how does this relate to the process of sanctification? [36:55]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you prioritize happiness over holiness? How can you shift your focus to align more with God's desire for holiness? [12:33]
2. Identify a sin you might be rationalizing. What steps can you take to confront this sin honestly and seek God's perspective on it? [10:10]
3. Consider the standards you live by. How do they align with the unchanging standard of God's kingdom? What changes might be necessary to better reflect God's holiness in your life? [31:29]
4. How can you use Scripture as a tool for sanctification in your daily life? Are there specific passages or practices that help you grow in holiness? [39:24]
5. Examine your life for evidence of true justification. What transformations have you experienced, and where do you see room for further growth in holiness? [36:55]
6. Think of a time when you focused on subjective happiness rather than objective holiness. How did that impact your relationship with God, and what can you learn from that experience? [09:20]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to pursue holiness over happiness, and what role can you play in supporting their spiritual growth? [12:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Holiness as Alignment with God's Nature
Holiness is not merely a set of rules but a reflection of God's nature. As Christians, we are called to pursue holiness, which aligns us with God's character and purpose. This pursuit is not about achieving personal happiness but about embodying the sanctity that God desires for us. Our happiness is a byproduct of living a life that is pleasing to God, not the ultimate goal. By focusing on holiness, we align ourselves with God's will and experience the joy that comes from being in right relationship with Him. [12:33]

"For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from seeking happiness to pursuing holiness in your daily life?


Day 2: Confronting Self-Deception
Rationalizing sin is a common human tendency that blinds us to the truth and hinders our spiritual growth. We often excuse our own behavior while condemning others for similar actions. This self-deception prevents us from seeing our need for repentance and transformation. To grow spiritually, we must confront our sins honestly and seek God's perspective. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace, which leads us to true freedom and growth in Christ. [10:10]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a sin you have been rationalizing. How can you confront it honestly and seek God's perspective today?


Day 3: The Unchanging Standard of God's Kingdom
The kingdom of Christ and God demands holiness, and the standard of God's law remains unchanged. Christ fulfilled the law, not to abolish it, but to empower us to live according to its principles. Justification by faith is the beginning of a lifelong process that includes sanctification and ultimately glorification. If our lives do not reflect this process, we must question whether we have truly been justified. The call to holiness is a call to live in accordance with God's unchanging standard, which is both a privilege and a responsibility for every believer. [31:29]

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the unchanging standard of God's kingdom challenge you to live differently today?


Day 4: Scripture as a Tool for Sanctification
The warnings and teachings in Scripture are tools God uses to sanctify us. They awaken true believers to their need for holiness and prompt self-examination and repentance. By engaging with Scripture, we allow God to shape our hearts and minds, aligning us with His will. The process of sanctification is ongoing, and Scripture serves as a constant guide and reminder of God's call to holiness. As we immerse ourselves in God's Word, we are transformed and equipped to live lives that reflect His glory. [39:24]

"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional time in Scripture to allow it to sanctify and transform you?


Day 5: Evidence of True Justification
True justification by faith results in a life that reflects God's holiness. If there is no evidence of transformation, we must question whether we have truly been justified. Our lives should demonstrate the process of sanctification, showing a clear departure from sin and a growing alignment with God's standards. This transformation is not about perfection but about progress, as we continually seek to live in a way that honors God. The evidence of true justification is seen in a life that bears the fruit of the Spirit and reflects the character of Christ. [36:55]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: What evidence of transformation can you identify in your life that reflects true justification by faith?

Quotes


The Apostle tells us that we must no longer live the kind of life we were living before. There are certain things from which the Christian believer is to separate himself or herself once and forever. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not be once named among you as becometh Saints. [00:54:07]

The Apostle says that we are Saints. We are people set apart by God. We are holy people. You can't be a Christian without being a saint. So the man who says, well, yes, I'm a Christian, but I'm not much of a saint, you know, is a man who's denying and contradicting himself. [02:26:14]

If we are making any idols in our hearts, it doesn't matter what it is, not only money, anything, anything that we bow down before it in worship, anything that absorbs our interest and attention, well, that's an idol. That's something which we are worshipping. We are giving it the first place in our lives. [04:39:43]

The Apostle felt it necessary to administer this severe warning to these Ephesian Christians, and therefore it is necessary as a warning to Christians in all ages and in all places everywhere. Let's look then briefly at what he has to say. We cannot but notice first of all the way in which he presents this warning. [05:57:06]

We all tend to be so subjective in our approach to this question of salvation and of redemption. I mean by that that we always start with ourselves and so often we end with ourselves. We want something, and especially we want happiness, and we regard the gospel as something that is just designed to help us with our problem of seeking for happiness. [09:07:00]

Happiness is a byproduct in Christianity. It's not the central thing. Now we can never emphasize there too much. It is the differentiating point as between Christianity and the couch. Let me use the technical term. It is the differential of the Christian faith. Here the first thing is holiness. In all the others, it's happiness. [12:50:24]

The kingdom of Christ is also the kingdom of God, and the standard is not lower in the kingdom of Christ than it is in the kingdom of God. The kingdom is one, and holiness is still the one and only standard. So this, I say, is something that is therefore true of necessity. [31:24:84]

Justification is by faith alone. It was while we were yet enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son. It was while we were ungodly, while we were sinners. There's no question about that. That's the cardinal doctrine. It's the first great principle, but justification is only one step and an initial step only in a process. [34:25:29]

If there is no evidence in our lives of this process into which God puts the people who may justify us, well then all I can say is that we've not been justified. We are just saying Lord, Lord, but he'll say to us, I never knew you, depart from me ye that work iniquity. [36:55:22]

Did you realize that these kind of verses are a very part of God's way of sanctifying us? You remember his last prayer. He said, Lord God, sanctify them through thy truth, thy Word is truth. He'd already said to certain people, if he continued in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. [39:24:00]

These words come to awaken the true believer. They don't touch the others. The others are just made to feel uncomfortable. They say that's all wrong. I thought I was justified by faith only, and they put it in such a way as to make you see at once that what they really mean is this. [40:28:71]

Every man that really has this hope in him purifies himself. Of course he does, is bound to, even as he is pure. But the man who's only got is the hope on his lips and not in his heart, he doesn't purify himself. He goes on living the old life. [41:54:87]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?