The Dual Facets of Holiness

Holiness is a concept deeply rooted in the Christian faith, often considered a lofty ideal that can seem unreachable. However, it's crucial to understand that holiness has two aspects.

1. Positional and

2. Behavioral

Let's dive deep into these facets and discover what they mean today for a believer's walk with God.

Positional Holiness

When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, something incredible happens—your spiritual position changes. You are no longer seen as a sinner in the eyes of God; instead, you are seen as holy and blameless. As Ephesians 1:4 says, "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight."

You might be thinking, "Me? Holy? But I still struggle with sin every day!" And you're not alone; it's a struggle that every believer faces. Yet, Positional Holiness is a gift, not something we earn. Through the sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, God sees us as cleansed, sanctified, and holy. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds us, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

Behavioural Holiness:

While Positional Holiness is instantaneous and permanent, Behavioral Holiness is a journey. This aspect of holiness pertains to our actions, choices, and lifestyle. Take the analogy of marriage, for instance. The day you get married, your status changes to "married." However, if you continue to live as though you are single, your behaviour contradicts your new status.

In the same way, as believers sanctified by the blood of Christ, our actions should reflect our newfound identity. 1 Peter 1:16 says, "Be holy because I am holy." This is God's command for us to live out the holiness that is already ours in Christ.

The Disconnect Between Position and Behavior

Just like the married person who continues to "sleep around" contradicts their marital status, a Christian who continues in sin contradicts their Positional Holiness. Apostle Paul addresses this disconnect in Romans 6:1-2, asking, "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"

Aligning the Two

Our aim should be to align our Behavioral Holiness with our Positional Holiness. This is not about achieving perfection but about earnestly striving to embody the Christlike attributes that are already ours through faith. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the "fruit of the Spirit"—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—as qualities that should naturally emerge in our lives as we submit to the Holy Spirit.

The Unfailing Grace

Fortunately, when we falter—and we will—God's grace is sufficient. 1 John 1:9 assures us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." But grace should not be a license to sin; rather, it should motivate us to honour God more fully daily.

Always remember, holiness is not a state of flawless perfection but a journey of becoming more like Christ daily.

Through Positional Holiness, we are already set apart; through Behavioral Holiness, we live out this divine identity in the world.

When these two facets align, we become effective ambassadors for Christ, and our lives become testimonies to the transformative power of His grace.

The Dual Facets of Holiness

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