Holiness: Blessing or Bondage?
By Mary Ann Wray
Holiness has become a despised word in the church because it has been taught incorrectly resulting in spiritual bondage.
These
verses in 2 Corinthians are a sobering reminder to us that God no
longer dwells in a building: we are His temple. As such, the Father
wants His temple to be clean the same way we want our house to be well
kept. There is also a beautiful promise attached to Biblical holiness.
Having
said that, holiness is a condition and matter of the heart. It does not
stem from following outward regulations and appearances. It begins with
the fear of the Lord, repentance of sin where necessary, wholehearted
love for Christ, and a desire to please Him more than anyone else.
When
this happens, holiness will be reflected outwardly; in our selection of
close friends, who you date and choose for a spouse, our behavior,
mannerisms, speech and devotional life...basically just about everything changes for the better and the glory of God as we mature and grow in Christ!
We are The Temple of the Living God!
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“Do
not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has
righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with
darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a
believer share with an unbeliever?
What
agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of
the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and
walk among them,
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Therefore go out from their midst,
and
be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I
will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons
and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”
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