Building the Forms of Holiness

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (NASB)

Have you ever tried to make yourself more loving towards others? How about more patient? How successful have you been? Have you grown frustrated fighting against the flesh? Why is it so hard? Who is responsible for your growth as a Christian?

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)

Christian growth is a cooperative work between the believer and God. So, what is our part and what is God’s?

“Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.” Psalm 51:6-8 (NASB)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12 (NASB)

Who acts here, who is acted upon? God purifies and washes, restores and sustains. Whatever change takes place in your heart is His work.

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:12-14 (NASB)

Who acts here? The outward, visible work of “putting on” is the work of the believer.

Sanctification is like building with concrete. When working with concrete, a form must be constructed to hold the concrete while it cures. Our work of “putting on” makes the form that God pours His enduring work of holiness into. Forms are not often much to look at. The boards are scratched and gouged and of differing sizes. But after the concrete hardens the boards are removed and thrown away. The forms are temporary, the concrete endures.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NASB)

Faith is the final ingredient here. Building forms is pointless if no concrete will be poured into them. God does not pour out His grace where there is no faith to receive it.

But doesn’t it make us hypocrites to put on these behaviors when we feel the opposite? No, it does not because:
1. There is no hypocrisy in presenting these forms to others as if we really mean them, because we do.
2. We remember that these forms present the opportunity for God to do His work in us, they are not the work itself. We do not mistake our small attempts for true holiness.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

Notes based on The Renewed Mind by Larry Christenson.