What does it mean to live a holy life as one in whom Christ lives? First, it’s not living by a checklist of rules. What God provides for us is incredibly better than that!
It will help us to understand the word “holy.” In the Bible, it means “set apart” or “without sin.” God is holy because He is set apart from us as humans because He is the Eternal, Uncreated Creator who cannot sin but can only live like Who He is. This is God’s everlasting identity.
We have become holy in our human spirit through our union with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and seating at our Father’s right hand. That is why we are called “saints” over sixty times in the New Testament. This word means “holy person.” So, in Christ, you are holy. This is your new creation identity in Christ. You do not become holy by living a holy life. You will see that you live a holy life because you are already holy in Christ.
Take a look at these Scriptures so you can see this for yourself.
To the saints who are at Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:2 NASB, To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. Colossians 1:2 NASB, To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. 1 Corinthians 1:2 NASB
Why don’t you stop momentarily and thank your Father that you are a saint, a holy person, in Christ!
Once we understand this, we realize that all of the exhortations in the New Testament letters are intended to help us live like who we already are in Christ—holy! Though we can still sin, we don’t want to; we want to live above it because that’s who Christ is in us and who we are in Him. Here are a few examples.
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Colossians 3:12-14 NASB
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints; And there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:1-4 NASB 2020
Live a holy life this week by living like Who you are in Christ – a holy person!
