The Reason for Holiness

The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.
- Brennan Manning

As followers of Christ, we should be living our lives in purity and holiness, not straying into the sinful ways of the world. Indeed, we are all sinners, yet we should be holding ourselves up to Godly standards. The world is a dark place, full of seductive temptations that threaten to pull us in and take us over, yet our foundation should be in the hands of our creator, so that when the world comes calling, we can stand on the foundation of Christ and not be overtaken.

Yet, why does it matter? The Bible teaches that we are all sinners, and that none of us is righteous, not even one. Are we risking our salvation by living in sin? No, though one may need to question whether he or she was ever truly saved, should they decide to depart so greatly from the teachings they once clung to. Yet, once salvation is truly secured, sin can no longer separate you from the eternity to come in Heaven. Scripture does say that those who follow God’s commandments will have a richer life, and a closer walk with Him, yet if we all end up in the same Heaven, what was truly gained? For this life is only measured in years, while the next life is incalculable.

While we should certainly seek a closer, more intimate relationship with God, I believe that the most important reason to live a life of holiness has very little to do with the quality of one’s own life. Indeed, if I live according to the commandments, my life will be blessed, yet a longer, more profitable life is not the point. Here is the point, which is twofold: first, as the quote at the top of this entry says, a Christ follower living a hypocritical life of sin will only drive away those who are unbelievers. We preach holiness and purity, yet if we do not follow our own teachings, how does that look to the unbelieving world? We look like fools, saying one thing, yet doing another. Why would anyone seek the church and a relationship with God, if all they see are believers who are hypocrites?

The second part is this: a person living a Godly life, following His commandments, becomes a stronger, more able tool for the Kingdom. God will be more able and more likely to use such people to spread His message, for their lives are not weighed down by sin. The effect on the unbelieving world will be greater for those that live a Christ-centered, holy life, and I believe this to be the greatest reason for righteous living. Our lives on this Earth should not be centered around prosperity, but around our savior, Jesus Christ, and the message of salvation that He has given us. We should seek to spread that good news to the ends of the Earth, for all else will fade. There will come a day when the world has run out of chances to accept Jesus, and those who have rejected Him will be sent away into the fire. I would give my life to save the eternity of just one person, and we may be able to help others come to Christ simply by the way we live.

So do not give into the temptations of the world, not for yourself, but for the unbelievers, so that you may be the tool that God will use to bring them back to Him. For if they look at you and do not see the light of God in your actions, they may shake their head and turn away, and be forever lost.