Holiness week 22 – by Tanner age 18

God’s grace is the only way anyone will ever be holy. People can strive in their flesh to do better works but that is not even close to the life the God intended for us when he sent his son. He wants us to live a life where relationship with him is the primary objective . Jesus died for sin to be removed from what God created (Matthew 26:28) and to reconcile us to the Father (Romans 3:24-25). In this reconciliation after sin is removed, God is able to start from fresh …all new. That is the new birth. Keeping all of this in mind, I want to come back to a word I mentioned and go from there. Reconciliation; to restore a friendship or harmony. Another way of putting it is that He came to bring us back to a place of right standing or right relationship with God. Being in right standing with God is righteousness. “Whom God hath set forth to be a reconciliation through faith in His blood to declare His righteousness by the forgiveness of sins that are passed.” And, righteousness bares its fruit unto holiness.” So, right standing or relationship with God brings forth fruit unto holiness. Holiness comes out of your relationship and if you aren’t in relationship with God, holiness cannot be. This is one reason why so many Christians do not have holiness in their lives, they do not have a solid relationship. If you have a relationship with Him, He will do the works through you by His grace. Just seek Him and seek to know Him and He will produce the works. (John 17:3) When Jesus is talking about us knowing the Lord, He is talking about relationship. Reconciliation is restored relationship and relationship with God bears its fruit unto holiness. The gospel is so simple and always has been. Just seek Him, love Him and your heart will be made right. Then your actions following. Just seek relationship with Him. That’s all He wants…relationship.

Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Romans 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.