I began Part 1 of this message with two “holiness is not” phrases that I explained and clarified to the best of my ability. Now I want to continue on that thought with 3 other things that need clarification as well. They too begin with “holiness is not.” First “holiness is not fanaticism.” Secondly, “holiness is not emotionalism.” And the third statement is “holiness is not legalism.” I have heard these statements in many settings. I have read them in books. I have discussed them with friends, and colleagues. I have seen them posted on social media, and much more frequently over the past few years, since Facebook has become so popular. As one preacher said, “I have no ax to grind.” I just desire to talk about a subject that is so important, and needed, that the Word of God says one cannot see God without it. As eluded to in Part 1 of this message, it is time to dissect this subject and delve into the Scripture to learn more about it. The Church has drifted so far from this word that, in some churches, it is not allowed, and in others, it is taboo, and still in others, one can speak it as long as they define it in a manner that goes along with the opinion of the leader of said church. I have read Hebrews 12:14 before as my text, and I have had to struggle, fight demons, and war against mountains of opposition, just to preach what God had given me for that service. Sanctification is clearly defined, and commanded in Scripture, yet so many have no idea what it involves or includes. It is among the least preached about subjects in the Body of Christ, and yet it is the same Greek word as “holiness”, so without it, no one can see God, or do His will (I Thessalonians 4:3). Just to clarify Hebrews 12:14, when Paul said “without holiness, no man shall see God,” he was talking about two things. He meant without walking in holiness, no one will be welcomed into heaven to see Jesus as Savior and spend eternity there. And, he also meant that no one can see Him in your life unless you are living a separated life, and walking in scriptural holiness. Without holiness, your light is invisible. No matter how much you shout, speak in tongues, or attend church. Holiness is the light of God’s character. Without it, there’s no light in you.
Now, lets look at the phrase “holiness is not fanaticism.” That is a partial truth, but look, if I want to be holy as He is holy, I have to be a little fanatical about holiness. Fanaticism involves being ZEALOUS, PASSIONATE, and FERVENT concerning what I believe about HOLINESS. If I’m not just a tad bid fanatical about it, when compromise presents itself, I will fold under and let down my standard. I will wilt in the face of adversity, or opposition to the subject. A fanatic is not just describing one who has gone overboard about a certain thing, doctrine, or persuasion. No, it also describes a person who is firmly committed to a vision, a belief, or something they’re determined to stand on, or stand by, regardless of the consequences. If the early fathers had not been fanatics about their beliefs in what had been revealed to them by the Lord, they’d would have folded before the firery furnace. They would have given in before the den of lions, or before they were sawn asunder (Hebrews 11). So no, “holiness is not fanaticism,” but it involves it, it demands it, and it takes it to stand for biblical holiness.
Then, Number 2 is “holiness is not emotionalism. No, it’s not all about emotions, but emotionalism involves sentiment and a strong sway for what I believe in. I have to get emotional about holiness because it is the nature of the God I serve. When everyone else is throwing it out, redefining it, ignoring it, and denying its significance, I have to get emotional, or I’ll fold under and flow down stream with the rest of the lukewarm, worldly crowd. I am emotional about my other beliefs, such as salvation by grace, the baptism in and with the Holy Ghost, the virgin birth, and the coming of Christ. I weep when I speak of them, and many times, my emotions show. And yes, I am emotional about holiness. I am torn to pieces in my spirit when I see God’s holy name profaned, or His holy Word defamed. I am emotional when I hear His opinions about holiness watered down to fit the lifestyle of the cowards who love the world so much that they don’t want to be identified with the holiness crowd. No, holiness is not all emotionalism, but it involves it.
The third statement is “holiness is not legalism.” No, I am not a legalist, which is defined as person who views things with one perspective, with no margin for error; one who places more emphasis on legal principles than on love. A legalist is more interested in externals than the heart. Referring back to Part 1 of this series, they care more about rules than they do relationship. But see here, I have to be a little legalistic about holiness because legalism also involves precedent, and it is a moral compass set down by God’s Word. If I’m not just a little legalistic, then my compass can lead me past God’s Law, away from the pattern of lifestyle the NT defined as pleasing to God. If I am not just a little concerned with precedent and protocol, I may decide that “if it feels good, I can do it, no matter what the Bible says.” A lack of legalism can lead me in to humanism, and soon I’ll join the crowd of user friendly churches that preach “come as you are, and stay as you are.” I’ll be no different than the world, and I will begin to define holiness by my own vocabulary, and carnal ideas. No holiness is not legalism, but it does take a little of it to keep me on the biblical path of holiness.
So you see, fanaticism, emotionalism, and legalism are not holiness in totality, but all three are involved if I am to see clearly what God, and the men He ordained to write scripture, really meant by the word holiness.