The Way of Holiness

The Book of Isaiah is sometimes called the fifth Gospel, due to its extensive coverage on Christ. Chapter 35 describes glorious prophecies regarding the way of holiness and the way that excludes the wicked and the unclean (v8). Heaven does not welcome the unholy (Revelation 21:27).
 
What is holiness?
 
Holiness leads one’s heart and life to conform to God and His will, including being just, excellent, and loving, and doing as He wills. Our life and words reflect our hearts. Our deeds reveal our faith. So, without deeds, there is no corresponding faith (James 1:26-27, 2:18-20).
 
Holiness involves conforming to Christ, the Father’s expressed image (John 1:18). Christ is holy. He demands us to follow Him (Matthew 11:29). Imitating Christ leads to holiness.
 
Holiness implies conforming to God’s laws and commands, such as those expressed in Psalm 119 and the Sermon on the Mount. These laws are written in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:31, 33; 2 Corinthians 3:3).
 
Holiness is important because our just God must punish sins (Exodus 34:7, Numbers 14:18). God cannot unite with the unholy, so the unholy cannot enjoy the love of God or the happiness of heaven. The unholy will not be admitted into heaven. If heaven were filled with the unclean, heaven would become another hell.
 
Only those born again can enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). Unless purified by the blood of Christ, our sins will not be forgiven and will remain with us. We need to be made new with new attributes, such as love. Without love, we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
 
How can we determine if we are living lives of holiness?
 
Meditate on God’s holiness. Do our souls conform to it? Do we find delight in the meditation? Do our souls agree with God’s words, which are written in our hearts? Do our souls love God’s commands?
 
Does our life resemble in any way the life of Christ? Are there any similarities between us and the holy people, such as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Paul?
 
Holiness is a necessity. It makes our soul pure, divine, serene, delightful, bright, and excellent. Earnestly seek holiness.
 
Summary of a sermon by Jonathan Edwards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkaSGwI8wVw



圣洁之路
 
以赛亚书里面记载了有关基督的广泛描述，因此有时被称为第五本福音书。35章谈论到一些关于圣洁之路满有荣光的预言。这圣洁之路恶人和不洁的人不得行走 (以赛亚书35：8)。 同样地，正如启示录 21:27 所断言，天堂不欢迎不圣洁的人。
 
什么是圣洁呢？
 
圣洁使人的心和生活都符合上帝和祂的旨意，包括成为公义、卓越、有爱心、与顺服上帝的心意而行。人的生活和言语反映他的内心。他的行为反映他的信心。所以，没有行为等于没有信心 (雅各书 1:26-27, 2:18-20)。
 
圣洁意味着效法基督，祂是天父形象的彰显(约翰 1:18)。基督是圣洁的。祂要求我们跟从祂 (马太福音 11:29)。效法基督使人圣洁。
 
圣洁意味着遵守上帝的律法和命令，例如诗篇 119 篇和登山宝训。这些律法写在我们心里(耶利米书 31:31, 33; 哥林多前书 3:3)。
 
圣洁很重要，因为公义的上帝必须惩罚罪恶 (出埃及记 34:7, 民数记 14:18)。 上帝不能与不圣洁的人联合。 所以，不圣洁的人不能享受上帝的爱, 不能享受天堂的快乐。不圣洁的人不能进入天堂。如果天堂充满不洁的，天堂就会变成另外一个地狱。
 
只有重生的人才能进到神的国 (约翰 3:3)。 除非被基督的宝血洁净，否则罪就在我们里面不得到赦免。 我们要被更新拥有新的属性，例如爱。没有爱，我们就一无所是 (哥林多前书 13:1-3)。
 
如何测试我们是否行在圣洁之路上呢?
 
默想上帝的圣洁。我们的灵魂符合神的圣洁吗？我们在默想中找到快乐吗？
 
我们的灵魂是否认同写在我们心中上帝的话语？我们的灵魂爱上帝的命令吗？
 
我们的生命在哪些方面与基督的生命相似呢？
 
我们是否与圣人 如以诺、挪亚、 亚伯拉罕、 摩西、 大卫和保罗, 有相似之处？
 
圣洁是必须的。 它使我们的灵魂纯洁、神圣、宁静、愉悦、明亮和卓越。 所以，恳切地寻求圣洁吧。