John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
If you are a Christian and know your Bible, then the verse above is probably familiar. But has the truth of what Jesus says become a reality in your life of faith in Him?
As believers in Jesus, there are two things we are to proclaim, both in our speech and actions. One is that there is nothing in and of ourselves that could ever meet the requirements that God has for mankind. The second is that ONLY Jesus Christ can satisfy this demand.
It has been my observation that many Christians understand this to be true in regard to our justification (God’s pardoning sinners and restoring them to a state of righteousness), but so many struggle to see that the same is true in our sanctification (which is a setting apart from our flesh being in control to Christ being the source of our speech and actions).
It is clear from Scripture that God’s intention for mankind is not simply for us to live with Him someday in heaven, relegated to doing the best we can until that day, but that we live as a representation of His holiness right now.
“But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” – (1 Peter 1:15–16)
It is paramount that we understand that this is not to be an imitation of His holiness, but it is to literally be God's holiness that is seen in us. This is done by His doing in us through Christ and not us doing our best for Him.
“…to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” – (Colossians 1:27)
It is to be precisely His life producing His holiness in the Christian.
The way we find ourselves justified is exactly how we are to realize our sanctification.
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” – (Colossians 2:6)
So how is it that we know our justification? Understanding this provides the answer as to how we now walk in our sanctification—and that is BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH!
“For by grace you have been saved through faith…” – (Ephesians 2:8)
It is by faith in Christ and not faith in yourself that you live out the holiness of God.
Simply put, it takes God to live out God’s holiness.
This brings us back to our opening verse. The only way you can live out the holiness of your sanctification is by faith in Jesus alone, who is, “THE way, THE truth, and THE life.”
Do you realize that “no one comes to the Father (to His holiness) but through Jesus”?
All this means that God’s holiness has nothing to do with Jesus PLUS your effort for Him.
The fulfillment of His holiness seen in you has nothing to do with Jesus PLUS you keeping the Sabbath, or Jesus PLUS you dressing a certain way. His holiness has nothing to do with Jesus PLUS you keeping a particular diet.This life God has saved you for does not depend on Jesus PLUS your prayer life or your meditation.
Believe it or not, we at A’del don’t even believe that His holiness has anything to do with Jesus PLUS you wearing and using our products.
“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly… Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” – (Galatians 2:21; 3:3)
Please understand, I am not saying that these activities in and of themselves are necessarily bad. I'm saying that your dependence on them—added to the finished work of Christ—will never bring about the holiness that God intends for you by faith in Jesus alone. Adding your effort to the completed work of Jesus will only result in frustration, confusion, and defeat. But Jesus came that you might know much more.
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” – (John 10:10)
Do you really believe that Jesus is enough?
