BIBLE BASICS For Smart People Who Do Not Want To Be Dummies About God and the Bible Lesson 33 - What About Holiness? Part 2 Is Holiness Necessary? The Bible seems clear in this matter. Some of the passages on this subject are Hebrews 12:14, "Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord"; 2 Corinthians 7:1, "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God"; 1 Thessalonians 5:23, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." You will notice that the body as well as the soul and spirit are included. Titus 2:11-12 tells us that "The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." Colossians 3:5-9: "Mortify therefore your members, which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." Do all churches believe, teach, and practice holiness? 1.Some tell us, "We, our pastor, or our church doesn't emphasize the externals, what is on the outside--just the inward. " The same people will criticize those who teach Biblical principles of externals as well as heart holiness. They will ridicule the "dos and don'ts." They cite Scriptures out of context, such as 1 Samuel 16:7: "The Lord seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." This had nothing to do with immodest and worldly dress and appearance. It rather had to do with Samuel, in that he should not choose a king who was tall or whose facial appearance would indicate a popular choice, but rather that he should let the Lord direct, because the Lord knows the character and what is in the heart. "Please tell me more." Copyright © 2018 Swiss Valley Web Design --- The Missing Link, Inc. P. O. Box 40031 Cleveland, Ohio 44140 USA Tel. 440-201-6046 http://misslink.org/cover Bible Basics Index/ God/ Bible/ Jesus/ Holy Spirit/ Creation/ Sin/ Forgiveness Prayer/ Angels/ Death/ Resurrection/ Judgment/ Second Coming/ The Church Worship/ Jesus' Birth/ Commandments/ Jesus' Life/ Bible Instructions/ Crucifixion Resurrection (2)/ Eternal Security/ Holiness/ Salvation Seminar/ Webmaster