This section intends to clarify some common misconceptions which have lead to distortion and heresy, which are by- products of ancient and modern schools of philosophy that have abandoned the clear teachings of the Word of God, the Bible.
Jesus said to the rich youngster, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” There is a paradox: The Bible declares us sanctified, and at the same time it calls us to become saints. Let us read on 1 Corinthians 1:2 “…to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord…” Pay attention to this detail: The Bible affirms that we have been sanctified in Christ, and called to be saints simultaneously, but it never declares anyone sinlesss or good. The Bible is like saying that we have been set apart to serve God and called to convert in sinlesss beings when appointed times comes. Therefore, it is imperative to unravel this paradox in order to reveal the clear biblical concepts so we can have a true concept of what is holiness according to the Bible.
When we read the Bible, we must be sincere in our search for truth. In order to do this successfully, we must use trustworthy hermeneutical criteria that prove to be well founded on the Bible. He who builds upon another foundation errs. He, who becomes neglectful by not establishing a clear biblical foundation, will fall astray and will move away from the true concepts and distorting the Lord’s teachings and becoming this way an heretic.
The Bible is the only book that reveals our salvation, and clearly establishes its foundation- the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must place this foundation- the Gospel- as the most reliable exegetical criteria ever made in order to discover the Bible truths and doctrines. In other words, the gospel scrutinizes all things: If a doctrine- no matter which one- is not in harmony with the Gospel, then such doctrine is a lie, for, as we have already mentioned, a true doctrine is born from an evangelical background. Let us read on 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 to confirm this assertion,“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.” It must be clear for you, dear reader, the fact that Christ is that foundation, that is, the starting point for all true teaching. According to the context of these biblical passages, the precious stones or jewels are symbols of true doctrines; wood, hay and straw are false doctrines. False doctrines will be burnt down to ashes on Judgment Day. The word “day” is a clear reference to the “judgment” On the Trial all things will be revealed. If the work of anyone withstands, then it will prove to be founded on the foundation which is Christ, the Gospel. The fact is that the Christ hanging on the Cross is the ransom for our sins.
When studying and giving the true definition of a doctrine, as the one we are here in discussing for you, we must do so in its true conception, and this is done, as we have already declared here in, from the standpoint of this rock-solid foundation. If we do not do so, we will fall astray. Let us confirm these statements: The Bible do not hesitate to affirm that the work of the Holy Spirit is to take what Christ say and teach it to you, as John declares on John 16:13-14,“However, when He, The Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever he hears He will speak, and he will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” It is clear: The Spirit of God, in order to teach you correctly, brings everything related to Christ our Lord, who is the center of all true revelation.
The Bible also declares that the Spirit of Truth can be recognized because He speaks of the Incarnation or Gospel. Let us read on 1 John 4:2-3 to confirm this declaration: “Beloved, do not believe in every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and now is already in the world.”
The “Ordo-Salutis”– this is, the order of salvation or redemption, is this:
- The Incarnation (Michael became a man- John 1:1)
- The Justification (Accepted by faith, in a total dependence to the Christ of history, in His objective righteousness- Ephesians 1:6)
- Sanctification (The development of a Christian personality- John 3:3)
- Transformation (The acquisition of an unblemished resurrection body- 1 Corinthians 15:33)
It is imperative to point out that without the final transformation of the body, no man can claim to be holy or sinless. The words used by the apostle Paul on Romans 7- “sin that dwells in me”
(This is “in my flesh”) will never be eradicated from any mortal flesh born from a human woman until the time for that final aspect of the redemptive order comes. The claim of those –like the Pope, preacher, whoever- who say that they have reached a state of moral perfection or sinlessness prior to the transformation of the body is an heretic. Therefore, in order to speak truthfully we must acknowledge the clarity of the Holy Scriptures when it declares, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10), and “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) But claiming sinlessness is to say, “Believe in me, not in God or His Words.” You have to be an insolent to utter such barbaric words. How then Rome dares to beatify such men, as Charlie Rodriguez, who happened to be a pitiful sight? Now, it is pending to declare him a saint! They are waiting for the confirmation of the so-called miracle of his. Outrageous! Now they claimed he healed a lady from cancer, through a petition made by her husband, but no one can confirm such claim as real. If miracles are the prerequisite to become holy, then I must have my own statue erected with the title of Commander -in- chief of all saints for I have more than seven proven miracles!
Now, we are ready to understand what holiness truly is according to the Scriptures. In our introduction we presented 1 Corinthians 1:2 as a starting point for our statement. This passage clearly declares that we have been set apart to serve the Lord and that we have been called to became- when the moment arrives-in people without sin. “Therefore, we can accept and acknowledge without hesitation the following definition for the biblical concept of holiness: A saint is he who has been called by God to serve Him, and begins to develop an ideal Christian personality that will ready him for an eternal livelihood, and for this he separates from the world (James 4:4) and begins to dedicate his life to develop the Christian virtues. But, one thing must be clear to understand: The development of the Christian character never ends, for it can only be compatible after the transformations of this of this corruptible body we know have. After all this evidence, it is clear that the Catholic tradition of canonization is a gross. After all this evidence, it is clear that the catholic tradition of canonization is a gross heresy. We must reject such act with all your strength.
There are many passages in the Bible for guidance in order to continue our march towards the culmination of that process of sanctification. Let us read a couple of them to confirm this assertion: “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3), “Because it is written, be holy, for I am holy”. (1 Peter 1:16). Notice the advice for a constant development, which proves that we do not achieve its culmination in this lifetime. Every time we read these passages of advice we must continue to say, “I must sanctify more.” While we wait to become what we will achieved in Christ, for we are living in the midst of two extraordinary events: What we have already achieved in history through Christ, and what we shall achieve in us when Christ returns at the end of time. Remember: every radical, absolute attribute we have achieved through Our Representative Our Lord. This is the way Paul the apostle explains it, “Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3). It is also written, “and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to noting the things that are, and not flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption- that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord”. (1 Corinthians 1:28-31). Pay attention to the clarity of the words of the apostle: First, he points out our real condition of weakness, incompetence and disability (the low of the world); and then, after exposing our true condition of absolute infirmity, he declares what Christ represents for us, and finally, he us to not became arrogant (a very noticeable attribute of the Jewish and Catholics) nor seek glory in ourselves, but he who glories, let him glory in what we have obtained completely in Christ by faith, and not in our by sight. Paul the apostle confirms this by saying. “Therefore, I take pleasure of my infirmities, in reproaches, in need, in persecutions, in distress, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Is it then the Pope a truly antagonical person who blatantly opposes God? The Pope truly speaks words against the Almighty when he speaks of a so called “luminous state” which he claims to be achievable in this present evil age of corruption and trial. We advise you to not try to imitate the unblemished character Christ so you can become a true Christian. My intention here is to save your souls. God bless you!
Additional Note:
When bringing clarification on the legitimate concept of holiness that I have brought to you in this biblical study, I have used the global context the Scriptures to bring forth every legitimate teaching. Now, when we analyze using the chapter context we must be careful to not contradict the teachings and principles the Scripture present within its global context. To the biblical scholar we bring this advice in order to achieve correct teachings. May God through His Spirit help you understand this criterion which will be of great benefit for the rest of your life.
