Our Holiness Through Christ

A vessel of gold or silver, fitting for the Master’s special purposes, or a vessel of wood or clay for common use—which one are you?

January’s Awakening, Day 23

Christ is the most perfect image of God, into which we are so renewed as to bear the image of God, in knowledge, purity, righteousness, and true holiness.

 —John Calvin

Nothing but the name of Jesus can restrain the impulse of anger, repress the swelling of pride, cure the world of envy, bridle the onslaught of luxury, extinguish the flame of carnal desire—can temper avarice, and put to flight impure and ignoble thoughts.

 —Bernard of Clairvaux

Holiness is the end of redemption, for Christ gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.

 —Charles Hodge

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. Hebrews 10:14–18 NIV 

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 2 Timothy 2:20–21 NIV 

            Holiness only comes to a believer through Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross as our substitute atonement for sin. It is the holiness and righteousness of Christ that is then imputed upon the believer. We do not deserve it, nor can we earn it, it is His free gift to all those who come and believe. Yet that holiness is still His, and not fully sealed within us until we are glorified at the Rapture. Until then, we can still freely choose to walk in the holiness of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, or we can choose to walk in the ways of the old sinful self.

            Note that the Scriptures also tell us that some of us who are willing to continually walk in the Spirit of holiness are more likely to be used by the Master as instruments for special purposes, while those not so willing are simply set for common use. Be a vessel fitting for the Master’s special use—walk continually in His Spirit of holiness.