A great deal of commentary can be found on the subject of holiness, but how often do we go directly to the Scriptures and examine its straightforward teaching on this topic? The pursuit of holiness should be a priority because the Bible unmistakably teaches that God commands it! Moreover, it is a reasonable and attainable directive, not merely an esoteric topic to be pondered among erudite scholars.

Before we can obey this command, we must first understand its meaning. In the New Testament, the word "holy" is most frequently derived from the Greek words, hagios and hagnos, which denotes someone who is physically pure and morally blameless. In other words, God desires that we strive to be pure and blameless saints, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" (I Thessalonians 4:3).

Holiness may seem like an impossible goal for fallen sinners, and it is, "but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Paul explained this when he encouraged Timothy to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 2:1). Timothy was not urged to rely on his own strength, but to recognize that he could "do all things through Christ" (Philippians 4:13) who was the source of his strength.

The Scriptures are unquestionably clear that we are to "walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8), "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness" (I Thes-salonians 4:7).

However, it is futile to attempt to attain holiness without depending on God's sufficient grace and the "power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10). "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (Luke 18:27), so as we rely on His grace, "let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (II Corinthians 7:1). MDR