REAL Holiness

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Monday April 7, 2008

Romans 11:15,16 (NIV)
15. For if their (the Jews) rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16. If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

The Greek word for "holy" is "hagios". It means: sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated): KJV--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.

It is often translated "saints" (Example: Jude 3)

Jude 3
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the SAINTS (hagios).

As the saints of God, we are SET APART (consecrated, holy) by God! We are holy in God's sight because of the work of Christ. Jesus bought us the holiness we have as born again believers!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

We are new creations in Christ! We have the righteousness and holiness of God in our new nature!

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
22. 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; 23. to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24. and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Our "new self" -- the "new creation" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:17, is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness! It is our job to "put on" that new self by being made new in the attitude of our minds, but that new self is still OUR new self! It is our new nature; the nature of God! It is in our human spirit once we are born again.

We don't deserve the holiness and righteousness we have received as a free gift from God. It is only by God's grace and mercy that we have received it, and He only gave it to us so that we can stand before Him without fault and with great joy!

Jude 24
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy

GOD -- not us -- is able to present us before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy!!

None of us never did any good deed to deserve it; it was given to ALL who simply receive God's gift of salvation by faith!

Let's remember to never take for granted the wonderful gifts that God has imparted on His saints!!

PRAYER
Thank You Father for Your Word, that tells us the wonderful things You have done for us. Thank You for your righteousness and holiness. Help me to see You as my loving Father, and to spend time with You in prayer and worship, always grateful and thankful.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

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