During a Bible study one Sunday afternoon, we were discussing one of the key pillars of our Christian faith — sanctification. Delving into this subject reminded us that sanctification means being set apart and made holy for God.
Now, if we didn’t know better, we’d think this was a calling reserved for clergymen, pastors, deacons, and church leaders. But thank God the Word makes it clear:
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
It leaves no room for doubt — every believer is called to live a holy life, one that glorifies God and reflects His Kingdom on earth.
📌 Can Morality Substitute for Holiness?
A big question arose in our study: If someone lives morally — doing good deeds, avoiding evil, and living ethically — is that enough to make them holy or qualify them before God?
At first glance, morality seems admirable. It’s about doing what’s right and avoiding what’s wrong based on cultural or personal values. But here’s what the Gospel reveals:
Romans 3:23 (NIV) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Whether moral or immoral by human standards, we all inherited a fallen nature in Adam:
Romans 5:12-14 (NIV) “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death came to all people, because all sinned…”
Even the Psalmist declared:
Psalm 14:2-3 (NIV) “The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away… there is no one who does good, not even one.”
📌 The Beauty of the Gospel
This is where the beauty of the Gospel shines through — salvation is a gift through faith in Christ Jesus. It’s not earned by good morals, charitable deeds, or ethical conduct.
Isaiah 64:6 (KJV) “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…”
In Christ, however:
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV) “All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ…”
Holiness is only possible through Christ’s righteousness credited to us by faith, not by moral behaviors.
