Do I need to aspire to be more holy? Isn’t what Jesus did enough? Am I not saved by grace instead of my works? Can’t I just embrace Jesus and His teachings; isn’t that enough? Isn’t my Holiness assigned to me because Jesus paid the price I could never pay? I’m not perfect, I am not expected to be perfect, do I need to strive to be perfect if perfection is not attainable or required? Do I really need to struggle with my sinful nature if Jesus already paid for my sins?

These are all good questions.

When posed to deep thinkers, theologians, and Christian philosophers many of these questions are met with a partisan answer. Yes, I said, “partisan.” In our corner of the globe, Christians have the luxury of dividing ourselves into groups that battle to be heard and approved by their constituents. While in most cases the word partisan is limited to describing affiliations to one political ideology or another, I have chosen to use it in reference to denominational/doctrinal biases.

Good questions need good answers.

Yes and no aren’t enough but a long defence of one’s personal leanings is more than likely too much. We need an answer that is both practical and biblical. The problem is, in our current culture in 1^st world countries, we don’t need practical and let’s face it, we don’t really need God.

We don’t really need God?

How can you say that, is probably your response to this ridiculous statement. It’s actually very easy. When you don’t want for much, you don’t want for much of God. For the most part our doctrine is not fleshed out by applying the Bible in a world full of suffering but rather massaging its contents to support our current lifestyle and political point of view in a relatively comfortable way of life. How often do we see people who show no sign of a transformed life claim to follow Christ and are unfazed? How often do we excuse unbiblical attitudes and behaviours as part of being human under the grace of God? How often do we give a nod to and even support a person of influence or fame who claims to be a Christian regardless of what they say or do? How often do we call God a God of second chances as if His deepest desire is to see the sinner sin so He gets another opportunity to forgive and therefore live up to the second chance title?

We really don’t need to do anything right?

I understand that we are saved by grace, that no work of our own is enough. I comprehend that no matter how hard I try I will never achieve a level of holiness that is enough to actually be holy. I am aware that my sinful state clouds my best attempts to formulate a plan and carry it out in a manner that, on its own merit, will show I am worthy of God’s love. I guess I am who I am just by chance or maybe a better way to describe it is divine providence, I am going to heaven because I am a follower of Christ and there is nothing more to be said or done.

I can’t so why bother?

While it is true that my works at their best fall short of what is needed to be holy, it shouldn’t suggest that being holy is not a worthwhile endeavor. What if God said I will never have every human that walks the face of the earth chose willingly to follow me, so I won’t send my son to die for their sins? Sounds crazy but is it any crazier that us saying I can’t be perfect, I can’t be holy enough, so I won’t even bother. This isn’t a condition of salvation but rather the natural outcome of fully embracing God’s love. We are not striving to be holy to get something but rather living out the life we have been given by God through Jesus Christ in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Good theology applied poorly is bad doctrine.

Do I need to aspire to be more holy? Isn’t what Jesus did enough? Am I not saved by grace instead of my works? Can’t I just embrace Jesus and His teachings; isn’t that enough? Isn’t my Holiness assigned to me because Jesus paid the price I could never pay? I’m not perfect, I am not expected to be perfect, do I need to strive to be perfect if perfection is not attainable or required? Do I really need to struggle with my sinful nature if Jesus already paid for my sins? YES

We are saved by grace through faith, not works so we cannot boast, but faith without works is dead. We have poked so many holes in holiness by using good theology applied poorly in our comfortable lifestyle that we now live in a culture that asks nothing of the follower of Christ. We do not have to sacrifice much in worldly undertakings and we still live comfortable lives. Why would we sacrifice who we are for anything or anyone no matter how holy the undertaking? Jesus seeks us out where we are in order to guide us to where we need to be but we must give up where we are to be where we need to be. Faith invites grace to flood our lives not so we can feel comfortable staying the same but rather so that we are set free to strive to become more like God even though we know we will fail over and over again.

I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. ⁴⁵ I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. Leviticus 11:44-45

While many have suggested that this is Old Testament law not New Testament grace, Peter didn’t see this as an ended practice.

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV)

More applicable verses: Romans 6:1-2 Romans 12:2 Galatians 5:16-26