Results 1 - 2 of 2
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How can Holiness be transmitted? | Ezek 46:20 | kicknchick | 157480 | ||
I have been devoted to reading the Bible from beginning to end. Unfortunately I have been doing this on my own, up until now. Throughout the Old Testiment I have heard references to Holiness and how it is not to be "transmitted" to common people. I am at Ezekial now and I have come to this subject again.I can not grasp this notion and would like an interpretation that I can understand. Any instruction would be greatly appreciated. | ||||||
2 | How can Holiness be transmitted? | Ezek 46:20 | DocTrinsograce | 157481 | ||
Hi, Kick... Holiness is one of the attributes of God (Is 6:3). This is the only one of His attributes thrice repeated, for emphasis. It is said to be a communicable attribute (1 Peter 1:16); that is, an attribute with which He shares (actively, not passively), to some degree, with others. It also falls into the category of His "moral attributes." Holiness, with respect to God, "means that He is separated from sin and devoted to seeking His own honor." (Dr. Wayne Grudem). To us, that rather sounds self centered. But take a moment to think about it. What is the value of God? It is infinite. What is His worthiness? It is infinite. What honor is due Him? All honor. God rightly judges His own worth. He has no other gods before Him. :-) Holiness with respect to things, as you have read in the OT, has to do with being set aside specifically for use in association with God. For example, in the temple there were many items. Some of them went to typical uses that you and I would easily recognize; but because they were associated with the temple, which is associated with God, they are said to be holy. There are numerous examples in Scripture of things being imbued with holiness simply because of their "nearness" to God. Take for example the ground around the burning bush (Exo 3:2), the ark of the covenant (Exo 30:6), even Moses after communing with God on Mount Sinai (Exo 34:30), etc. Often the angels are said to be holy (Math 25:31), again, simply because of their nearness to God and the fact that they are set aside for His purpose. When something is set aside specifically for God's use it is said to be sanctified (2 Tim 2:21). As believers we are called "saints" (Eph 2:19) which comes from the same root word as sanctification. Like the angels, God sets aside for His unique and special purpose. Sanctification in the believers life is rooted in God's act of choosing the elect, redeeming them, and purifying them (Rom 8:29-30). That is something done once and for all by God Himself (John 19:30). Nevertheless, the Bible says we are to "pursue holiness" (Heb 12:14). How can it be if we are already sanctified that we are to pursue sanctification? This is called an antinomy. The Bible makes no apology for this tension, but clearly teaches both. Theologians call this latter kind of sanctification "progressive sanctification." It is the process by which we, as believers, are to grow in holiness and purity for the rest of our lives. In heaven much more of it will be accomplished, but it will not be fully accomplished until glorification. This progressive sanctification, or growth in holiness, is accomplished as we seek to love Christ more (John 14:21) and look more like Christ (Rom 8:29). Remember, also, that association with God lets us absorb His communicable attributes. Hence, study of the Word (Psalm 119:9), prayer (James 4:8), fellowship with believers (Hebrews 10:24), meditation on the truths of God (Psalm 1), worship (Rev 15:4), praise (Psalm 99:3), etc. all contribute to this process. (The old divines used to call these things "the means of grace".) Please ask if there are any terms that I've used with which you are unfamiliar. I hope that this has been helpful. In Him, Doc |
||||||
Up | Down | |||
Questions and/or Subjects for Ezek 46:20 | Author | ||
|
kicknchick | ||
|
DocTrinsograce | ||
|
CDBJ |