\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Bible teaches that the saints who are on the earth are those who please the Lord.<\/p>\n
\nPsalm 16:3<\/strong>
\u201cAs for the saints who are in the earth, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nBut the question is this: when the Bible speaks of \u201csaints,\u201d<\/strong> does it mean people who never make mistakes at all? Does it mean they are completely flawless and perfectly sinless in every aspect?<\/p>\n
The answer is yes\u2014and no, in the proper understanding.<\/strong><\/p>\n
All who have received Jesus Christ<\/strong> and have been born again by the Holy Spirit<\/strong> are perfect in their standing before God<\/strong> concerning salvation. Their righteousness is complete in Christ. However, this does not mean they are incapable of making mistakes in their daily lives.<\/p>\n
\n2 Corinthians 5:21<\/strong>
\u201cFor He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nThere is a difference between spiritual position<\/strong> and practical living<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
A person may make mistakes such as:<\/p>\n
\n
- Misreading a scripture during preaching<\/li>\n
- Forgetting to fulfill a promise<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These are human weaknesses or errors, but they do not remove a person from being a saint before God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Likewise, if someone has just received Christ but has not yet understood certain truths\u2014such as the need for water baptism according to the Gospel\u2014they are still counted among the saints while they are growing in knowledge.<\/p>\n
\nMark 16:16<\/strong>
\u201cHe who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nIn the early stages of salvation, there are many things a believer may not yet know or understand. These do not disqualify them from being holy before God. However, when truth is revealed and a person knowingly rejects it<\/strong>, that is when they begin to lose alignment with holiness.<\/p>\n
\nHow Does a Saint Continue in Holiness?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Let us read:<\/p>\n
\nRevelation 22:11<\/strong>
\u201cHe who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nNotice the phrase:<\/p>\n
\u201cHe who is holy, let him be holy still.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n
This shows that holiness is not a one-time event\u2014it is a continuous process<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
If a saint were already flawless in practice, why would Scripture say \u201clet him be holy still\u201d<\/strong>?<\/p>\n
This reveals a deep truth:<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Holiness is progressive.<\/strong>
\ud83d\udc49 Sanctification is ongoing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n1 Thessalonians 4:3<\/strong>
\u201cFor this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n2 Corinthians 7:1<\/strong>
\u201cTherefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nThere is no fixed level where one can say, \u201cNow I have reached the final stage of holiness.\u201d Instead, the believer continually grows.<\/p>\n
\nThe Process of Growing in Holiness<\/strong><\/h2>\n
You may feel today that you are spiritually upright and walking well in holiness. But after a season\u2014through the study of the Word\u2014you may discover areas where you were lacking. When you correct those areas:<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 You have purified yourself further.<\/strong><\/p>\n
This does not mean you were not holy before. You were already a saint in Christ. But now:<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 You have grown in holiness.<\/strong><\/p>\n
And as more truth is revealed and obeyed:<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 You continue to increase in holiness.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nWhy Self-Purification Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Therefore, if we are to be counted among the saints, we must actively purify ourselves<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
The question is:<\/p>\n
Are you a saint?
Are you actively purifying yourself?<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nHow Do We Purify Ourselves?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
We purify ourselves by:<\/p>\n
\n
- Avoiding all forms of sin and its triggers<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Studying the Word of God<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Living a life of prayer<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Fellowshipping with other believers<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\nJohn 17:17<\/strong>
\u201cSanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\nHebrews 10:25<\/strong>
\u201cNot forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nThere are certain sins you will never recognize without the Word.
There are certain weaknesses you will never overcome without prayer.<\/p>\n
\nFinal Encouragement<\/strong><\/h2>\n
May the Lord bless you and continue to help us walk in holiness.<\/p>\n
\nPhilippians 2:12-13<\/strong>
\u201cWork out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nShare this message with others so that they too may grow in the knowledge of truth.<\/p>\n
If you desire help in receiving Jesus Christ<\/strong> into your life, reach out and you will be guided freely.<\/p>\n
The Lord bless you abundantly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
SELF-PURIFICATION IS THE SEAL OF HOLINESS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n