Article of Faith: No salvation without holiness (2)

The article delves into the theological concept of holiness, explaining that the Hebrew word 'qadowsh' signifies being 'cut off' or separated. To be holy, therefore, means to be set apart from everything else, maintaining constant moral purity and aligning with God's will.

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To be holy means to be cut off, or separate from everything else. To be in a class of its own. To be morally pure all the time and in every possible way.

Addressing the common question of 'What is God's will for my life?', the author firmly states that the answer lies in God's word, specifically citing 1 Thessalonians 4:3: "This is the will of God, your sanctification." The core message is that God's primary will for believers is their sanctification, which translates to becoming holy.

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This is the will of God, your sanctification.

To illustrate this, the text references Leviticus 11:44-45, where God commands Israel to "be holy; for I am holy." This divine command underscores the imperative for believers to consecrate themselves and separate from defilement. The article then connects this to the covenant of circumcision instituted by God with Abraham, as described in Genesis 17:9-14.

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You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Circumcision, the removal of the foreskin, is presented as a physical representation of 'cutting away' the sinful nature. While historically a physical act, the article emphasizes its spiritual application in modern times, as highlighted by Paul in Romans 2:28-29. This 'circumcision of the heart' is a spiritual transformation, a work of God that enables believers to love Him wholeheartedly and live according to His will, as prophesied in Deuteronomy 30:6.

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Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your hearts, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, lest My fury come forth like fire, and burn so that no one can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.