Sermon Tone Analysis

Before speaking further of holiness in ourselves, it is well that we also consider the holiness of Christ.

We need this first of all to be firmly grounded in our security in Christ.

Before speaking further of holiness in ourselves, it is well that we also consider the holiness of Christ.

We need this first of all to be firmly grounded in our security in Christ.

On numerous occasions the Scriptures testify that Jesus during His time on earth lived a perfectly holy life.

He is described as:

“him who had no sin”

“without sin”

as One who “committed no sin”

as One who “committed no sin” ();

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The apostle John stated, “In him is no sin”

and as “him who had no sin” ().

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The apostle John stated, “In him is no sin” ().

The Old Testament describes Him prophetically as “the righteous servant”

The Old Testament describes Him prophetically as “the righteous servant” (), and as One who “loved righteousness and hated wickedness” ().

,and as One who “loved righteousness and hated wickedness”

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These statements, taken from six different writers of Scripture, show that the sinlessness of Jesus Christ is the universal teaching of the Bible.

These statements, taken from six different writers of Scripture, show that the sinlessness of Jesus Christ is the universal teaching of the Bible.

Even more compelling, however, is Jesus’ own testimony concerning Himself.

On one occasion He looked the Pharisees squarely in the eye and asked, “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?”

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But the holiness of Jesus was more than simply the absence of actual sin.

But the holiness of Jesus was more than simply the absence of actual sin.

1)It was also a perfect conformity to the will of His Father.

He stated that He came down from heaven “not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me” ().

On another occasion, He said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me” ().

Perhaps His highest testimony to His positive holiness was His statement, “I always do what pleases him” ().

Such a positive declaration must include not only His actions but also His attitudes and motives.

It is possible for us to do the right action from a wrong motive, but this does not please God.

Holiness has to do with more than mere acts.

Our motives must be holy, that is, arising from a desire to do something simply because it is the will of God.

Our thoughts should be holy, since they are known to God even before they are formed in our minds.

Jesus Christ perfectly met these standards, and He did it for us.

He was born into this world subject to the law of God that He might fulfill it on our behalf ().

Therefore, it is important that we receive the same assurance that Isaiah received: “See . . .

your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for” ().

It is not only at the initial point of salvation that we need this assurance.

In fact,

The more we grow in holiness, the more we need assurance that the perfect righteousness of Christ is credited to us.

This is true because

A part of growing in holiness is the Holy Spirit’s making us aware of our need of holiness.

As we see this need, it is well for us to always keep in mind the righteousness of Jesus Christ on our behalf, and the fact that “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” ().

The Holy Spirit makes us more aware of our lack of holiness to stimulate us to deeper yearning and striving for holiness.

But Satan will attempt to use the Holy Spirit’s work to discourage us.

You, too, if you diligently pursue holiness, must often flee to the Rock of your salvation.

You flee there, not to be saved again, but to confirm in your heart that you are saved through His righteousness alone.

You begin to identify with Paul when he said, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” ().

It is at this point that Christ’s holy life lived on your behalf becomes so important to you.

A second reason we need to consider the holiness of Christ is because

2) His life is meant to be an example of holiness for us.

Peter told us that Christ left an example for us to follow in His steps

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Peter spoke particularly of Christ’s suffering without retaliation, but in the following verse he said also that Christ committed no sin.

Paul urged us to be imitators of God (), and also said “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” ().

Peter spoke particularly of Christ’s suffering without retaliation, but in the following verse he said also that Christ committed no sin.

Paul urged us to be imitators of God (), and also said “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” ().

Clearly then, the sinless holy life of Jesus Christ is meant to be an example for us.

Consider then His statement, “I always do what pleases Him.” Do we dare take that as our personal goal in life?

Are we truly willing to scrutinize all our activities, all our goals and plans, and all of our impulsive actions in the light of this statement: “I am doing this to please God”?

If we ask that question honestly, we will begin to squirm a bit.

We know we do some things, good things in themselves, to gain admiration for ourselves rather than glory for God.

We do other things strictly for our own pleasure, without any regard for the glory of God.

Holiness doesn’t mean, as is so often thought, adhering to a list of “do’s and don’ts,” mostly don’ts.

When Christ came into the world, He said, “I have come to do your will, O God” ().

This is the example we are to follow.

In all of our thoughts, all of our actions, in every part of our character,

The ruling principle that motivates and guides us should be the desire to follow Christ in doing the will of the Father.

This is the high road we must follow in the pursuit of holiness.