Let's talk about Christianity: Be Holy

In this article, we will explore two schools of thought regarding holiness and righteousness in the Christian journey.

The first school of thought revolves around a common question: If God is all-powerful and capable of doing anything, why doesn’t He simply make us holy instead of allowing us to be born into a fallen nature, as David describes in Psalms 51:5 (“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me”)?

The second school of thought addresses the biblical teaching that our righteousness is like filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6). Does this mean we should not be intentional about living holy lives? Should we make an effort, or should we simply rely on God’s grace to make us holy?

While one of these questions will be explored and explained, the other will be left open for deeper reflection and discussion.

The Process of Holiness

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The first question—why doesn’t God just make us holy? —has been answered in many ways. One common explanation is that God has given us free will. He desires a relationship with us based on love and obedience, not coercion. Deuteronomy 30:19 makes this clear: “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

However, here’s another way to look at it: holiness is a process, not an instant transformation.

Consider the story of Adam and Eve. God placed them in the Garden of Eden—a place of perfection. However, He also placed the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil there and commanded them not to eat from it (Genesis 2:16-17). Why did God allow the tree to be there in the first place? Why not just create humans as perfectly holy beings?

If we view holiness as a process rather than a preset state, the answer becomes clearer. Imagine cooking a meal. If you could snap your fingers and instantly turn raw rice into a perfectly prepared plate of jollof rice, that wouldn’t really be “cooking,” would it? Cooking involves a process—washing the rice, boiling it, adding ingredients, and carefully blending everything together to achieve the final dish.

In the same way, holiness is a process. God desires us to grow in holiness, not to be instantly programmed as holy beings. Even redemption itself was a process—God didn’t simply snap His fingers to save us. Instead, He sent His Son to live, suffer, and die on the cross so that we could be redeemed (John 3:16).

So, rather than expecting holiness to be an instant condition, we should recognize it as a journey—one where we make choices daily to align ourselves with God’s will.

Grace and Our Role in Holiness

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Now, let’s consider the second school of thought: Since our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), does that mean we should not make any effort to live holy lives? Should we simply rely on God’s grace, or should we actively strive to be righteous?

The Bible clearly teaches that we cannot attain holiness by our own strength. Ephesians 2:8-9 states: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

However, does relying on grace mean that we make no effort to resist sin and live righteously? What does “relying on God’s grace” truly mean? Does it mean we passively wait for holiness to “flow through us”?

Let’s consider a practical example: a person struggling with addiction.

If an individual is trying to overcome an addiction, should they:

Ask for grace and also put in personal effort—such as avoiding triggers, seeking accountability, and making conscious choices to resist temptation?
Simply ask for grace and do nothing, hoping holiness will come automatically?

What if the person chooses the second option and still falls into sin? Does that mean their salvation was never real? Does it mean grace failed them?

These are deep questions that require thoughtful reflection. Paul gives us insight into this in Philippians 2:12-13: “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” This passage highlights the balance—we are called to make an effort, but it is ultimately God who empowers us to live righteously.

An Open Conversation

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Now, it’s your turn. What do you think about the second school of thought? Do you believe that effort plays a role in holiness, or should believers simply wait for God’s grace to transform them without taking deliberate action?

Drop your thoughts, questions, or insights in the comments section below. Let’s engage in meaningful discussion and learn together at the feet of God.

May we all grow in holiness—not by our own power, but by God’s grace working in us. Amen.

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