Difference Between Holiness And Righteousness
“And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24)
What are Righteousness and Holiness?
In Greek, “righteousness” is “δικαιοσύνη” (dikaiosynē), which means “the quality or state of being just or righteous.” It refers to a moral or ethical standard of rightness or justice. In the New Testament, the term is often used in the context of being made righteous by God through faith in Jesus Christ.
“Holiness” in Greek is “ἁγιασμός” (hagiasmos), which means “the state of being set apart for God’s purposes.” It denotes a quality of purity, devotion, and consecration. In the New Testament, the term is often used to describe God’s character and also the process of sanctification or becoming holy through the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life.
Looking at the two words they all aim for purity in a believer’s life. For instance, the word righteousness which means being right with God can be proved well by this verse “For our sake he made him be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21.
So here the righteousness that we have comes from Christ. In other words, when you become born again you put on Christ which means you bear the righteousness of God (“Yahweh”) who calls you his son or his beloved. Is it wonderful!.
Now about Holiness observe this scripture “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” – 1 Peter 1:15-16. We have defined Holiness as the state of being set apart for God’s purposes.
When God wants to use you mightly he will consecrate you first (make you holy). In doing this there’s what we call sanctification the process of being made holy and set apart for God’s purposes.
As a believer responds to the work of the Holy Spirit, they are transformed into the image of Christ. This process involves continually putting off the old self and putting on the new self, growing in obedience and conformity to God’s will.
It begins with regeneration and continues throughout the believer’s lifetime. Both positional sanctification (being declared holy in Christ) and progressive sanctification (being conformed to the image of Christ) are essential to this process. The believer’s role is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, submit to God’s will, pursue holiness, and avoid sin.
This is what the scripture says about sanctification “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
For you to be holy you need the Holy Spirit. There is NO OTHER holiness that can be achieved without the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. This is what Paul says. “not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” – Philippians 3:9 (ESV)
So if you’re not born again you need to. “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) In this post I have taught how to get saved you may want to check.
Conclusion
As a Believer Righteousness and Holiness are key to living a fulfilled life in Christ. The Lord loves Holiness. His desire is for us to be Holy. He has given us the necessary help we need to live that life of holiness through his Spirit.
Don’t be a PHARISEE. Pharisees lived by the law. They kept almost all the rules but still fell. That’s why Christ came to liberate us from the law. Remember the law works from without. It tells you “Don’t do this!” but it doesn’t give you the power not to do it. But Grace works from within giving you the power to execute i.e overcome temptation and also the energy to do things. That’s the Believer living right NOW.
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