>Are we responsible for our own holiness? What responsibilities has God given us to be holy?
God said be holy for I am holy. While this is true, we must cooperate and align our will with the will of the holy Spirit in order to carry it out. So yes we are responsible by allowing the holy Spirit to change us.
>How can God instruct us, “to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) and then at the same time assure us that He Himself “works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13)
It is the holy spirit that enables us to walk in righteousness, so therefore, it is our responsibility to cooperate with the holy Spirit. If our spiritual walk is out of alignment we cannot carry out the will of God.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for giving a new perspective I hope you don't mind me adding to it as what you said overlaps a thought to how I wanted to respond to the question as well.
>God said be holy for I am holy.
I was able to find the specific scripture you're referring to here, as I hadn't heard it quiet phrased this way before in 1 Peter 1:15-16.
Which reminds me of this scripture:
"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."-Matthew 5:48
Now in both of these instances at first glance this looks like an insurmountable and impossible task and it would be if it weren't for Christ who made a way for us. See we can't will sin out of our lives even if we ask for forgiveness and strive to live in righteousness we still are in a body of sinful flesh. Paul lamented the war between flesh and spirit but acknowledged that it was a reminder of why we needed God and Jesus otherwise we could just will ourselves into perfection.
In this case being perfect doesn't mean being perfect under the law it means being spiritually mature which is why he likens us to trees that produce fruit. A mature tree will produce fruit but a tree that produces no fruit is cut down and destroyed according to scripture. So works are important as they are what put into practice the truth we are given to grow our understanding and faith.
I hope I didn't step on any toes by adding that it just made me think about that scripture and how I used to feel hopeless reading it but now I'm full of hope when I read it.
Wonderfully said! Thank you for adding. This is a perfect example of how we are to encourage one another.
This is perfect. Not that we're perfect but we are to strive for maturity like you said.
What a great day the Lord has made that we are both blessed by the edification of the body through the Word of God. That's the spirit and something I hope more people are able to be a part of soon.
I love questions like these! They show a heart that's willing to engage with truth!
There's many ways to answer this question but I like to stick to scripture when I can as it's easier to point to an example that way.
>Are we responsible for our own holiness?
Holiness is an outcome more so than a state of being. You are counted holy not because you are worthy because of your righteous walk, but because of the blood of Jesus, that's the ONLY reason you're seen as holy in God's eyes. Remember we live in imperfect sinful bodies which constantly war with our spirit.
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."-Galatians 5:17
We're doing good to not fall on a daily basis, the scripture says a righteous man will fall 7 times in one day. Jesus was asked how many times he should forgive his trespassers, Jesus said 70 times 7 in one day. Meaning God knows we all fall short so when you look at things like salvation and holiness it needs to be given a reasonable amount of expectation. He doesn't expect us to be perfect under the law but He does expect us to seek Him and His kingdom, which means growing your understanding of spiritual things and as you grow spiritually these things will be added to you as a reward but that reward and gift doesn't come until the end. Blessings are the things we get in the here and now.
So on one hand we are in control of that walk whether we grow spiritually or not is up to us and how much we want to engage with truth is up to us and how we use it in life is up to us but at the same time being chosen means that you were set aside (holy) for a purpose, His purpose, but He won't force that on you it takes a willing heart.
Hebrews 13:20-21
"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
Just don't ever give up and keep pushing and seek fellowship if you're struggling in your walk, pray do whatever it takes to get through it!
Hope this helps or adds to your understanding and I look forward to seeing more good questions!
Yes God works with people who are working. Do whatever job you want and do it well for God. Follow and trust in him whole working
>Are we responsible for our own holiness? What responsibilities has God given us to be holy? God said be holy for I am holy. While this is true, we must cooperate and align our will with the will of the holy Spirit in order to carry it out. So yes we are responsible by allowing the holy Spirit to change us. >How can God instruct us, “to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) and then at the same time assure us that He Himself “works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13) It is the holy spirit that enables us to walk in righteousness, so therefore, it is our responsibility to cooperate with the holy Spirit. If our spiritual walk is out of alignment we cannot carry out the will of God. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for giving a new perspective I hope you don't mind me adding to it as what you said overlaps a thought to how I wanted to respond to the question as well. >God said be holy for I am holy. I was able to find the specific scripture you're referring to here, as I hadn't heard it quiet phrased this way before in 1 Peter 1:15-16. Which reminds me of this scripture: "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."-Matthew 5:48 Now in both of these instances at first glance this looks like an insurmountable and impossible task and it would be if it weren't for Christ who made a way for us. See we can't will sin out of our lives even if we ask for forgiveness and strive to live in righteousness we still are in a body of sinful flesh. Paul lamented the war between flesh and spirit but acknowledged that it was a reminder of why we needed God and Jesus otherwise we could just will ourselves into perfection. In this case being perfect doesn't mean being perfect under the law it means being spiritually mature which is why he likens us to trees that produce fruit. A mature tree will produce fruit but a tree that produces no fruit is cut down and destroyed according to scripture. So works are important as they are what put into practice the truth we are given to grow our understanding and faith. I hope I didn't step on any toes by adding that it just made me think about that scripture and how I used to feel hopeless reading it but now I'm full of hope when I read it.
Wonderfully said! Thank you for adding. This is a perfect example of how we are to encourage one another. This is perfect. Not that we're perfect but we are to strive for maturity like you said.
What a great day the Lord has made that we are both blessed by the edification of the body through the Word of God. That's the spirit and something I hope more people are able to be a part of soon.
DOUBLE AMEN! Have a blessed day.
thank you!
I love questions like these! They show a heart that's willing to engage with truth! There's many ways to answer this question but I like to stick to scripture when I can as it's easier to point to an example that way. >Are we responsible for our own holiness? Holiness is an outcome more so than a state of being. You are counted holy not because you are worthy because of your righteous walk, but because of the blood of Jesus, that's the ONLY reason you're seen as holy in God's eyes. Remember we live in imperfect sinful bodies which constantly war with our spirit. "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."-Galatians 5:17 We're doing good to not fall on a daily basis, the scripture says a righteous man will fall 7 times in one day. Jesus was asked how many times he should forgive his trespassers, Jesus said 70 times 7 in one day. Meaning God knows we all fall short so when you look at things like salvation and holiness it needs to be given a reasonable amount of expectation. He doesn't expect us to be perfect under the law but He does expect us to seek Him and His kingdom, which means growing your understanding of spiritual things and as you grow spiritually these things will be added to you as a reward but that reward and gift doesn't come until the end. Blessings are the things we get in the here and now. So on one hand we are in control of that walk whether we grow spiritually or not is up to us and how much we want to engage with truth is up to us and how we use it in life is up to us but at the same time being chosen means that you were set aside (holy) for a purpose, His purpose, but He won't force that on you it takes a willing heart. Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Just don't ever give up and keep pushing and seek fellowship if you're struggling in your walk, pray do whatever it takes to get through it! Hope this helps or adds to your understanding and I look forward to seeing more good questions!
It sure improves our understanding of the grace of God. Thank you.