The being and the doing

You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine. –Leviticus 20:26 (ESV)

Throughout Scripture, the people of God are referred to as “holy”. The word itself means to be dedicated or set apart for the purposes of God; sacred. As early as Leviticus and Deuteronomy, God speaks of His people being holy because they belong to Him. The language carries over to the New Testament, as the “holy” designation applied to the children of Israel is now applied to followers of Jesus. For examples, see Colossians, Hebrews, and 1 Peter.

I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. –Philippians 3:12b (NIV)

On the other hand, God’s people, then and now, are called upon to be holy. So how is it that I'm commanded to become something I already am? And how is the “doing” related to the “being”?

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. –Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

Does that mean that if I can’t “be holy”, I will miss heaven, even though I “am holy”? The question itself underestimates the level of commitment Jesus asks of us, the power He provides to us, and the blessings included in going “all in” for Him. It is less about what God wants from us and more about what He wants for us.

Only let us live up to what we have already attained. –Philippians 3:16 (NIV)

Imagine being the world’s biggest football fan. Your team makes it to the Super Bowl and you have won free tickets and first-class accommodations. You have your gate pass, the limo drops you off, and you enter the stadium. But rather than grabbing a beverage and finding your seat, you decide to hang out in the concourse for the entire game with a plan to watch the replay later. Who would do that??? That’s becoming a Christian and neglecting to pursue holiness. Some attempt it, but it’s hardly worth it, because they are missing out on the very point of this relationship that is already theirs!

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. –1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NIV)

God declares us holy based on our obedient faith in the gospel. When God looks at us, He sees us clothed in Christ. His Spirit then goes to work on our transformation into Christ-likeness. In that process, little by little, sometimes in fits and starts, we begin to reflect His holiness. And though it is the Spirit’s work, the metamorphosis takes willingness and cooperation on our part. We yield to His will because we desire to emulate that which we love and claim what we already possess. Eternal life begins now!

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” –1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)