More observations
as I read my book:
One cannot in himself merit salvation through personal holiness.Scripture repeatedly refers to the obedience and righteousness of Christ on our behalf (
Ro 5:19;
1 Peter 3:18) Two aspects of Christ's work on our behalf:
1. Active obedience--Christ's sinless life on earth, perfect obedience, absolute holiness;
2. Passive obedience--His death on the cross through which He fully paid the penalty for our sins and placated the wrath of God toward us.
Conclusion:
Our holiness before God depends entirely on the work of Jesus Christ for us, by God's will.Scripture speaks of both a holiness which we have in Christ before God, and a holiness which we are to strive after.The purpose of our salvation is that we be "holy and blameless in His sight" (
Eph 1:4).
To continue to live in sin as a Christian is to go contrary to God's very own purpose for our salvation. [see "A Strange Kind of Salvation" post, 11/17/08]
No one can trust in Christ for true salvation unless he trusts Him for holiness.
Holiness is required for:
1. Fellowship with God;
2. Our own well-being;
3. Effective Service to God;
4. Assurance of Salvation