The BIG question is . . .

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What do the following verses teach about our holy standing before God?

  • Romans 5:19: we are made righteous by the obedience of Christ.
  • Hebrews 10:10: we are made holy by the offering of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • 1 Peter 3:18: our Lord Jesus Christ died for sins in order to bring us to God.

What do the following verses teach about holy living?

  • Ephesians 4:1, 30: walk in the manner consistent with our calling, holy; do not grieve the Holy Spirit through inconsistency, which is disobedience.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:7: God did not call us to be impure, but holy.
  • Titus 2:11-12: salvation teaches us to deny ungodliness, worldly lusts and teaches us to live sensibly, righteously and godly.

Why is holiness not optional for the Christian?

  • Psalm 66:18: Holding on to the sin from which He saved us shows how serious we are about our walk in holiness--God will not hear us when we pray!
  • Romans 8:13-14: Die if you want to live. Be led by the Spirit of God, as a child of God does.
  • 2 Timothy 2:21: to be useful to our Master, we must be clean.
  • 1 John 1:6: God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Here's the big question for your discussion: if God "just forgives," can He demand holiness of the unrepentant, one who will not turn from their sin?

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