Pursuing a Life of Holiness and Obedience
The pursuit of a life characterized by holiness and obedience is a central theme in biblical teaching, often presented as a gradual process of spiritual development [3]. This pursuit involves conforming to God's will and separating oneself from worldly influences [3, 10].
Holiness, in its highest sense, belongs to God himself [3]. For individuals, it signifies being consecrated to God's service and aligning one's life with divine purposes [3]. This involves denying ungodliness and worldly desires, and instead living "soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world" [4]. The concept of holiness is closely linked to purity, achieved through separation from the world and a life aligned with God's passions [10]. It is a work that requires watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance, as it unfolds amidst various challenges [3].
Obedience to God is commanded throughout scripture [8]. It is not possible without faith [8] and involves heeding God's voice, obeying his law, and keeping his commandments [8]. The example of Christ serves as the ultimate model for such a life, demonstrating perfect holiness, righteousness, purity, love, humility, meekness, and obedience [7]. Christ's life illustrates that obedience is better than sacrifice [8].
The New Testament emphasizes that obedience is a clear indicator of one's relationship with Christ. If one does not obey Christ, it suggests a lack of belonging to him or love for him [12]. Conversely, as individuals obey Christ and his commandments, their love for God and knowledge of him mature [12]. This leads to living in union with God and demonstrating love for others, mirroring Jesus' own life [12].
The call to pursue holiness and obedience is an exhortation to a specific way of living. It is described as a journey, a race, and a warfare that requires diligence and steadfast resolution [11, 9]. Proverbs states that "He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor" [2]. This pursuit involves careful conduct, including fearing and loving God, following Christ's example, and living righteously [6]. It also entails diligence in seeking God, obeying him, striving for perfection, and cultivating Christian virtues [5]. The ultimate goal is to live "in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives" [1].
Sources
- Luke “Luke 1:75 (BSB) — in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 21:21 (BSB) — He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.”
- 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.)”
- Titus “instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; -- Titus 2:12”
- 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:”
- 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”
- 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. --”
- 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 ”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:115: Here is, 1. David's firm and fixed resolution to live a holy life: I will keep the commandments of my God. Bravely resolved! like a saint, like a soldier; for true courage consists in a steady resolution against all sin and for all duty. Those that would keep God's commandments must be often renewing their resolutions to do so: "I will keep them. Whatever others do, this I will do; though I be singular, though all about me be evil-doers, and desert me; whatever I have done hitherto, I will for the future walk closely with God. They are the commandments of God, ”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 17:16: 17:16-18 Being holy refers to purity gained by separation from the world, and living a life so aligned with God that it reflects his passions. Disciples are set apart by God, equipped by the Spirit, and readied by God’s word to enter the world without being victimized by its darkness.”
- 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”
- 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.”