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Growing in Holiness through Obedience in Christian Life

Growing in Holiness through Obedience in Christian Life

Growing in holiness is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, and it is deeply connected to obedience to God's will. The concept of holiness is rooted in the biblical understanding that God is holy and that His people are called to be holy as well [1]. This call to holiness is not just a static state but a dynamic process of growth and development.

The biblical basis for growing in holiness through obedience is evident in various passages. In 1 Peter 1:13-14, believers are exhorted to "gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end" and to be "as obedient children" [9]. This obedience is not limited to a specific aspect of Christian life but encompasses a broad range of actions and attitudes, including loving God, following Christ's example, and obeying God's commandments [2, 4].

Obedience to God is a recurring theme in the Bible, with numerous passages emphasizing its importance. For instance, Deuteronomy 13:4 and 1 Samuel 15:22 highlight the significance of obedience over sacrifice [6]. In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of obedience, having obeyed God's will even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-8) [4].

The process of growing in holiness involves a deepening relationship with God, characterized by faith, love, and obedience. According to 1 John 2:3-6, obedience is a clear indication of knowing Christ and belonging to Him. As believers obey Christ and His commandments, their love for God and their knowledge of Him grow toward completeness and maturity [7].

The Christian life is often described as a journey or a race, requiring perseverance and diligence. In 2 Peter 3:18, believers are encouraged to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" [8]. This growth is facilitated by the work of the Holy Spirit, who transforms believers into the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:29) [10].

Various Christian traditions emphasize the importance of obedience and holiness in the Christian life. The Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, stresses the need for Christians to be "sworn enemies to all sin" and to cultivate purity and holiness of heart and life [11, 12]. Similarly, the Reformed tradition, as seen in John Gill's commentary, highlights the connection between obedience and being "children of God" [13].

The practical outworking of growing in holiness through obedience involves various aspects of Christian living, including self-denial, humility, and a commitment to following Christ's example [4, 5]. As believers strive to live in accordance with God's will, they are transformed into the image of Christ, becoming more like Him in their thoughts, words, and actions.

Ultimately, the goal of the Christian life is to attain maturity in Christ, which is characterized by a deep understanding of the faith and a profound knowledge of God's Son [10]. As believers continue to obey God's commandments and follow Christ's example, they grow in holiness, becoming more fully conformed to the image of Christ.

The call to holiness and obedience is not limited to individual Christians but is also a characteristic of the corporate body of Christ. The church is called to be a community of believers who embody the values of the kingdom of God, living in love, unity, and harmony [11]. As the church pursues holiness and obedience together, it becomes a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel.

The pursuit of holiness through obedience is a lifelong journey, marked by both triumphs and challenges. As believers navigate the complexities of Christian living, they are encouraged to persevere, knowing that their labor is not in vain in the Lord [3]. Through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, believers can overcome obstacles and continue to grow in holiness, becoming more like Christ in the process.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Holiness — In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24). (See [280]SANCTIFICATION.)”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
  7. 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3: 2:3-6 Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. • As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will live . . . as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others.”
  8. 2 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace - Increase in the image and favor of God; every grace and Divine influence which ye have received is a seed, a heavenly seed, which, if it be watered with the dew of heaven from above, will endlessly increase and multiply itself. He who continues to believe, love, and obey, will grow in grace, and continually increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, as his sacrifice, sanctifier, counsellor, preserver, and final Savior. The life of a Christian is a growth; he is at first born of God, and is a little child; becomes a young man, and a father in Chr”
  9. 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 1:13: Here the apostle begins his exhortations to those whose glorious state he had before described, thereby instructing us that Christianity is a doctrine according to godliness, designed to make us not only wiser, but better. I. He exhorts them to sobriety and holiness. 1. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, etc., Pe1 1:13. As if he had said, "Wherefore, since you are so honoured and distinguished, as above, Gird up the loins of your mind. You have a journey to go, a race to run, a warfare to accomplish, and a great work to do; as the traveller, the racer, the”
  10. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
  11. Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:2: Here the apostle proceeds to more particular exhortations. Two he enlarges upon in this chapter: - To unity an love, purity and holiness, which Christians should very much study. We do not walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called if we be not faithful friends to all Christians, and sworn enemies to all sin. This section contains the exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, with the proper means and motives to promote them. Nothing is pressed upon us more earnestly in the scriptures than this. Love is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of h”
  12. Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:17: The apostle having gone through his exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, in the foregoing verses, there follows in these an exhortation to Christian purity and holiness of heart and life, and that both more general (Eph 4:17-24) and in several particular instances, Eph 4:25-32. This is solemnly introduced: "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord; that is, seeing the matter is as above described, seeing you are members of Christ's body and partakers of such gifts, this I urge upon your consciences, and bear witness to as your duty in the Lord's”
  13. 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 1:14: As obedient children,.... Or "children of obedience". This may be connected either with what goes before, that seeing they were children of God, by adopting grace, and in regeneration brought to the obedience of faith, to whom the inheritance belonged, therefore they ought to continue hoping for it; or with what follows, that since they were manifestly the children of God by faith in. Christ Jesus, being begotten again to a lively hope, they ought to be followers of him, and imitate him in holiness and righteousness, and show themselves to be obedient ones to his Gos”
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