This document discusses the concept of holiness from a Christian perspective. It provides five essential elements for growing in holiness: 1) having convictions based on biblical truth, 2) making a commitment to obedience, 3) disciplining daily choices, 4) depending on the Holy Spirit, and 5) developing a God-centered desire. It encourages readers to reflect on which element is most evident in their life and which needs strengthening, then to take steps to improve the weaker area. The document stresses that holiness is about obedience to God rather than personal feelings of victory or defeat. It closes with quotes emphasizing that God's aim is to make people holy.

1. HOLINESS Godliness Series – Part 4 April 18, 2010 Metro Batangas Christian Church Armel Villareal

2. Main Scripture: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 Light symbolizes the flawless perfection of God. God is absolutely holy; in Him there is not the slightest hint of any moral flaw. God is infinitely perfect in His holiness. Not the slightest degree of sin taints His character.

4. “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” -- 1 John 2:1 1 Timothy 5:2 – “...absolute purity” Ephesians 4:17—“So i tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do” 1 John 1:8 – “...if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves...”

5. Ephesians 4:17-24 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. (18) They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. (19) Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. (20) You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. (21) Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. (22) You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; (23) to be made new in the attitude of your minds; (24) and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

6. Efeso 4:17-24 Ito nga ang sinasabi ko, at sinasaksihan sa Panginoon, na kayo'y hindi na nagsisilakad pa na gaya naman ng lakad ng mga Gentil, sa pagpapalalo sa kanilang pagiisip, (18) Na sa kadiliman ng kanilang pagiisip, ay nangahiwalay sa buhay ng Dios, dahil sa kahangalang nasa kanila, dahil sa pagmamatigas ng kanilang puso; (19) Na sila sa di pagkaramdam ng kahihiyan ay napahikayat sa kalibugan, upang kalakalin ang lahat ng karumihan ng buong kasakiman. (20) Nguni't kayo'y hindi nangatuto ng ganito kay Cristo; (21) Kung tunay na siya'y inyong pinakinggan, at kayo'y tinuruan sa kaniya, gaya ng katotohanan na kay Jesus. (22) At inyong iwan, tungkol sa paraan ng inyong pamumuhay na nakaraan, ang dating pagkatao, na sumama ng sumama ayon sa mga kahalayan ng pagdaraya; (23) At kayo'y mangagbago sa espiritu ng inyong pagiisip, (24) At kayo'y mangagbihis ng bagong pagkatao, na ayon sa Dios ay nilalang sa katuwiran at sa kabanalan ng katotohanan.

7. 5 Essential Elements in Growing in Holiness: CONVICTIONS: Knowledge of the Truth COMMITMENT to Obedience DISCIPLINE of Daily Choices DEPENDENCE on the Spirit A GOD-CENTERED DESIRE

8. 5 Essential Elements in Growing in Holiness: CONVICTIONS: Knowledge of the Truth COMMITMENT to Obedience DISCIPLINE of Daily Choices DEPENDENCE on the Spirit A GOD-CENTERED DESIRE

9. 5 Essential Elements in Growing in Holiness: CONVICTIONS: Knowledge of the Truth Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” Without Bible-based, Spirit-developed convictions, we easily fall prey to manmade convictions. Practical: Be involve in Bible-study groups more often to gain deep insights.

10. 5 Essential Elements in Growing in Holiness: CONVICTIONS: Knowledge of the Truth COMMITMENT to Obedience DISCIPLINE of Daily Choices DEPENDENCE on the Spirit A GOD-CENTERED DESIRE

12. 5 Essential Elements in Growing in Holiness: CONVICTIONS: Knowledge of the Truth COMMITMENT to Obedience DISCIPLINE of Daily Choices DEPENDENCE on the Spirit A GOD-CENTERED DESIRE

15. 5 Essential Elements in Growing in Holiness: 4. DEPENDENCE on the HOLY SPIRIT Psalm 119:36-37 – “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; renew my life according to your word.” Do not depend on our won willpower, our strength of character. We cannot change our hearts; that is the exclusive work of the Holy Spirit. Transformed—“to be changed within” Even an unsaved person can change certain actions, but only the Holy Spirit can transform us within, only He can give us new values and desires.

16. 5 Essential Elements in Growing in Holiness: CONVICTIONS: Knowledge of the Truth COMMITMENT to Obedience DISCIPLINE of Daily Choices DEPENDENCE on the Spirit A GOD-CENTERED DESIRE

17. 5 Essential Elements in Growing in Holiness: 5. A GOD-CENTERED DESIRE Gal 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Our desire for holiness, our motivation to pursue it, must be a God-centered desire and motivation. God does not give us His power so that we might feel good about ourselves; he gives us His power so that we can obey Him for His sake, for His glory. It is not wrong to feel good about ourselves, but this should be a byproduct of obedience which is motivated by a desire to please God. Developing a God-centered motivation requires practice and training; it does not come naturally or easily. We are by nature self-centered…We must confess and renounce this.

18. CHALLENGE: Name one of the five essential elements of holiness that you think is most evident in your life, and explain how it is manifested. What is least evident , and why? List some steps you want to take to strengthen this weak area in your life.

19. Final thoughts It is time for us Christians, to face up to our responsibility for holiness. Too often we say we are “defeated” by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient. It might be well if we stopped using the terms victory and defeat to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms obedience and disobedience. Jerry Bridges

20. The destined end of man is not happiness, nor health, but holiness. God’s one aim is the production of saints. He is not an eternal blessing machine for men; he did not come to save men out of pity; he came to save men because he had created them to be holy. (OSWALD CHAMBERS)

21. “If only ten among us be righteous, the ten will become twenty, the twenty fifty, the fifty a hundred, the hundred a thousand, and the thousand will become the entire city. As when ten lamps are kindled, a whole house may easily be filled with light; so it is with the progress of spiritual things. If but ten among us lead a holy life, we shall kindle a fire which shall light up the entire city.” Saint John Chrysostom (c. 347–407)