The designation “of holiness” in relation to the Holy Spirit refers to both His character and His work. The Holy Spirit works the righteousness of God through the power of the resurrection of Christ. It was the witness of the Spirit through the resurrection which became the ultimate declaration of the relationship of Jesus with the Father (declared to be the Son of God). It was the same work of the Spirit that caused Paul to declare, “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). True holiness is the product of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit and less concerned with outward appearance or behavior. It is the Spirit that bears witness of this holy relationship. Such a relationship is only possible through the Spirit of holiness, and by which we are called to be saints (holy ones). The divine mandate, “Be ye holy” is an ontological call that has to do primarily with our being. It is this internal transformation that informs and inspires the external manifestations of the creative work of the Spirit in our lives. In this context, the work of the Spirit of holiness is seen in three ways.
The Spirit Produces Our Holiness
Holiness in the lives of believers is never the product of human agency. Holiness is not solely moral rectitude or ethical excellence. It cannot be measured by works (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Holiness is the formation of the character of God in the life of the believer. This character cannot be comprehended or attained by human intellect or volition. The Holy Spirit reveals and accomplishes this character in us through our union with Christ. In this union, Christ is “formed in us” (Galatians 4:19). The Holy Spirit is the architect of this formation and transformation. Holiness is the spiritual fruit of the believer—it is the natural product of the sanctified life (Romans 6:22). Just as the flesh produces the fruit of that which is unholy, the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of that which is holy (Galatians 5: 19–23). The Holy Spirit produces holiness because He is holiness. Holiness is the creative work of the Spirit. From the beginning, the Spirit has always been the active agent in the creative work of the Godhead (Genesis 1:2). The new life in Christ is a creation of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17). Holiness, as an outgrowth of the new creation in Christ, is the product of the Spirit of holiness as He creates in us what He is in reality.
The Spirit Participates in Our Holiness
Although the Holy Spirit produces holiness in the life of the believer, every believer plays a vital role in the maintenance of the holiness relationship. The Bible
teaches us that we are to “follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, emphasis added). Our responsibility is explicit in the divine mandate of this text. The Holy Spirit is our divine partner in the pursuit of holiness. Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter (Paraclete). The word Paraclete originally signified “called to one’s side.” Implicit in this designation of the Spirit is His participatory work in the believer’s pursuit of Christlikeness. Holiness is manifested through a continuous relationship or identification with the work of Christ in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit participates in this relationship as we continuously walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). A genuine partnership with the Holy Spirit effectuates the work of Christ toward a life of holiness as we continually submit to that work. Both the Holy Spirit and the believer are active agents in the holiness relationship (1 Corinthians 3:9). The divine partnership with the Holy Spirit is also important because many believers are discouraged by personal failures and determine that living a holy life is impossible. However, the participation of the Spirit overcomes any human limitations (Romans 8:26) and is able to make holiness a reality in the life of every believer.
The Spirit Perfects Our Holiness
The pursuit of holiness indicates an active process. This process can be said to be teleological in nature. Simply stated, that means that it leads to an expected end (telos). The process is the means to an end and not the end itself. The end of holiness is to experience the complete glory of God—what we refer to as glorification (Romans 8:30). In Psalm 138:8 the Psalmist declared, “The LORD will perfect that which concerns me: your mercy, O LORD, endures for ever: forsake not the works of your own hands.” The perfection or completion is the work of the LORD! The same Spirit which produces and participates in our holiness will surely perfect it. The perfecting work of the Spirit is accomplished through the blood of Jesus and the Word of God. The Spirit also perfects our holiness through our complete submission and obedience to His will. May our commitment to holiness always keep us on a pursuit of the Spirit of holiness!
Carswell Leonard Biblical Doctrine & Polity Committee
WWM N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1
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