The prevailing attitude towards the pursuit holiness in the modern Church is unfortunate and unbiblical. Modern theology often touts freedom in Christ as a veil for license and labels as a legalist anyone who has a genuine desire to be holy. We hear sermons about how we are weak and broken (nice words for sin), and that's pretty much where the discussion is left off. We're basically told to admit that we can't earn salvation by works, so we shouldn't even try to be holy. It reminds me of when Homer Simpson, responding to Lisa's consolation that admitting you have a problem is the first step to overcoming it, said, "Is it also the last step?"
The New Testament attitude towards holiness is incredibly far-removed from the one espoused by modern evangelicalism. The inspired authors of the New Covenant revelation conceive of no faith-based salvation that frees the believer from a life of pursuing holiness. Far from removing the need for obedience, faith-based salvation motivates and obliges us to obedience. Paul, after setting forth God's covenant promises, says, "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." The covenant response to God's gracious salvation is voluntary consecration. Having been set apart by the work of God, we work to live a life that reflects that separation. That is, after all, the etymological significance of the terms holy and holiness.
Peter proclaims a similar admonition in 1 Peter 1:14ff. Quoting multiple passages from the Old Testament, he says, "...but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." He calls us to a life of holiness on the basis of a) our divine calling and b) our divine paternity. Because we have been set apart by God as His children, we should bear that family resemblance by living a life set apart to God.
As if the words of Peter and Paul were not weighty enough, consider these striking words of our Savior. After asserting the continuing validity of the Law and the Prophets (exactly what He means by that is a conversation for another time) and warning against those who would encourage licentiousness, He says, "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This passage has received nearly as many interpretations as there are commentators interpreting it. There are those who say that Jesus was referring to imputed righteousness received by faith. Others say it is an infused, New Covenant righteousness imparted by the Holy Spirit. Both of those types of righteousness are Biblical enough, but is that what Jesus is talking about in the Sermon on the Mount? If we look at the context, Jesus is repeatedly taking commands and showing how shallow, outward obedience is not true obedience at all. True obedience requires sincerity. God wants the heart. God demands the heart! Our behavior must be dictated by appreciation to and love for the God who saved us.
This is not a new principle revealed by Jesus, but a revitalization of the consistent Old Testament ethic that was obscured by the legalism of the Judaism of His day. God saved Noah, and then called him to separation. God saved Abraham, and then called him to separation. God saved Israel, and then called them to separation. God saved Israel again, and then called them back to separation. In the New Covenant the Church is saved, and, of course, called to separation. So pursuing holiness, perfection even, is not legalism. It is the natural and instinctual reaction of those who have been delivered from the guilt and power of sin. It is the covenant response to the love of our Creator and Covenant Lord.
Meditate on these words from Romans 6:15-18:
What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
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