The Third Stage of Holiness
By: Dr. Bruce Wilkinson
Introduction
This last stage is the one most of us think of when we think "holiness." This is lifestyle holiness.
All across the world I am finding men whose hearts are turning back toward heaven. They are "desiring"
to follow after Christ at new depths. But hardly anywhere am I seeing large numbers of these men making major changes
in their lives. Why?
Perhaps it is like the growth of the flowers. First comes the bud, then comes the bloom. The "bud" could
be the massive "desire" after God, and the "bloom" could be the massive "obedience"
to God. I believe that is precisely what is happening at this moment and that is the very reason I am so committed
to doing everything in my life and in the lives of other men I touch to move us further along this crucial third
stage of holiness. If you've made that decision to "present yourself' to God as a living sacrifice, then you're
ready to move on to the next stage - personal holiness in your lifestyle.
What the bible teaches:
Remember our theme verse in 1 Peter 1:15-16? Well, it's time to put into the larger context of the Bible:
" Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be
brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to
the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:13-16
Remember that verse about "you are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people"? - Well
let's put that in the context and read the next two verses after it."
" Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against
the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers,
they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.." 1 Peter 2:11-12
There's no avoiding it, my fellow believer. If you want to be a holy man, then it's going to have to move out
of your heart and into your habits - from the truths of the Bible to actions in the marketplace. Holiness that
is Biblical is holiness that is observable! Did you see 1 Peter 2:12: "Gentiles: that, whereas they speak
against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.."
It's Up to You
As you look at your own life - if you were one of those "Gentiles observing" you - how would you rate?
Is your "conduct honorable" among the Gentiles? The Bible clearly teaches that holiness is right smack
in front of those who do not know Jesus. Most of the time we think that our holiness is to be most obvious in the
church, whereas God desires your holiness to be obvious in front of those who have not yet met Christ as their
personal Savior.
The more "holy" your behavior, the more the non-believer will ultimately glorify God! Therefore, though
it may seem shocking when you first consider it, having some of both your Christian and non-Christian friends use
a word to describe you as "holy" or "Godly" or "upright" or "takes his religion
real seriously" etc., may be more what should be, rather than "no one would ever say that about me, that's
for sure!" By this point in your thinking, the three stages should be clear in your mind. The first stage
is when you trust in Christ as your personal Savior and the Lord separates you to Himself. The second stage is
when you present your own life back to the Lord as a living sacrifice and decide to really dedicate yourself to
Him. The third stage is when you decide and then act upon the command to be "holy in all your conduct."
Are you there yet? Have you decided to become a man of holiness? Have you chosen to become holy in "all your
conduct?" You see, until you make that a real choice, as a line in the sand, as a mark in your heart - then
you will not move toward that ultimate goal with commitment and perseverance. Unlike the first two where you have
either become a believer in Jesus Christ or presented your body to the Lord, this third stage is a progressive
movement forward in which you are ever becoming more holy in your life.
Unfortunately, as of yet, most men have not decided to become holy. Millions of men have trusted Christ as their
personal Savior. Hundreds of thousands of men have presented themselves entirely to the Lord. Thousands of men
are in the midst of progressively becoming holy.
Where are you?
Have you made the "Holiness Decision" yet? Have you started making "Holiness Changes" yet?"
Isn't it about time? Cross the bridge, my friend, and walk with those whose heart desire the Lord and whose lives
are starting to reflect that relationship in more and more observable ways.
Daily Bible readings:
Read each day for the next week.
Morning
1 Peter 1:13-19 "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that
is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according
to the former lusts in your ignorance. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect
of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye
know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received
by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without
spot:"
Morning Prayer
Dear Faithful Father,
Good morning Lord! Your presence has guarded me all through the night. Your Glory radiates in the heavens and Your
Love is shed abroad in my heart. How I praise You for working in my heart and for strengthening me as I seek for
personal holiness.
I thank You for Your unending Faithfulness to me. It amazes me that You are so active in every part of my life
including my temptations! Thank you for putting Divine Limits on my temptations so that none are too strong for
me. Thank You for also making "the" way of escape for each temptation so I don't have to be trapped by
temptations. Thank You for making sure that I can "bear" every temptation without sinning. My heart sings
to You - How wonderful are all your ways to me.
Afternoon
Romans 11:33-12:2 "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are
his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to
him, are all things: to whom be the glory for ever. Amen. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what
is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Afternoon Prayer
My Pure and Holy God,
You are never tempted! You will never tempt anyone - including me. Instead of tempting me to evil and harm, you
give me every good and perfect gift!
Lord, I confess that at times I have felt that my worse temptations were all Your fault. I have secretly blamed
You. How sobering to realize that my temptations ultimately were from the lusts of my own heart. If I didn't lust,
then I wouldn't be enticed to sin in that area. Lord, I fully accept my responsibility and no longer seek to blame
anyone or anything else.
Oh Holy Father, cleanse my lustful heart! Purify my thoughts and actions. I confess my sins and humble myself before
Your glorious holiness.
Evening
1 Peter 2:9-12 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that
ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in
time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained
mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the
soul: Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they
may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."
Evening Prayer
Dear Jesus my High Priest,
You are my personal High Priest, Oh Jesus the Son of Glory! You left heaven to die for me and now you actively
intercede in heaven for me!
You understand all of my temptations because You were tempted in all points like me, yet You did not sin. Forgive
me for thinking You did not or could not understand my trials with temptations. Forgive me from running from You
when I needed Your help the most - right in the middle of temptations to sin! Therefore, I pledge I will come quickly
and boldly the next time I face temptations.
Lord, why do I rely on my own strength in temptations? Why do I not flee to Your face because you "aid those
who are tempted.: Oh Lord, I have sinned because of my weakness, but in my next temptation, I will seek Your aid.
Thank you for your death for me and now your life in me! Amen.
