Bible Verse: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:13-23
Today, we will discuss the difference between “holiness” and “righteousness,” both often used to describe moral character in Scripture.
According to one definition, “holiness” refers to being “set apart” for a higher moral commitment, while “righteousness” denotes the state of being morally committed.
Let’s use a Canadian example of a hockey player to help us understand this subtle difference.
Imagine a skilled hockey player who dedicated his whole life to playing in the NHL. While his friends were partying and taking the easy route, he continually worked out and practiced to achieve his purpose. The work pays off, and he is drafted into the NHL.
In this illustration, the hockey player has been “set apart” as a professional player. He is different from the rest of us, “holy” in that sense, and is set apart for his life purpose of playing professional hockey.
Now that he has the standing of a professional player, he lives out that professional calling—working hard, eating right, exercising, giving it his all, and, of course, playing in professional games. As he commits himself to being a pro hockey player, he gets better and better at it, setting himself more and more apart from the average Joe.
So “holiness” refers to being “set apart” for a higher moral commitment—kind of like the player being drafted and becoming a pro hockey player. “Righteousness” is the state of being morally committed—kind of like the player living out his professional calling that has been granted to him.
We are called to both—to be set apart and holy, and to live out a righteous life in that holiness.
Unfortunately, for many men, including myself, being holy and righteous seems like an unattainable goal. This is especially true if you had parents or teachers who would motivate you by telling you that you were not good enough. I always wondered how that could be a way to encourage a child. Perhaps they thought we would accept the challenge and want to prove the parent or teacher wrong. Who knows? To use the hockey analogy, we don’t feel skilled enough to play in the NHL.
The good news is that there is hope because we don’t have to achieve holiness or righteousness through our limited ability. Both holiness and righteousness are a gift of grace from God through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
Christ’s solitary sacrifice that granted us holiness is called “substitutional sanctification,” and the ongoing process of becoming more and more holy is called “progressive sanctification.” Increasing our holiness, where we become more like Jesus, is God finishing the work that He started. Philippians 1:6 proclaims, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” We have been made perfect by the atonement of our sins. As we live in Christ, our holiness increases as we surrender to the Holy Spirit daily and as He makes us more holy.
Prayer: Father, help us to see ourselves through Your eyes, perfect and holy in Christ. Help us lay all our doubts and distorted sentiments at Your feet. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflection: Are you holding on to your doubts and any words implying you are not good enough? Surrender them to the Holy Spirit, and ask and allow Him to increase your holiness today.
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