I guess the best way to start a blog on holiness is to do two basic things. First, tell you a little about me. And second to answer the title question by starting with the basic premise of before you can seek holiness (if indeed it is necessary) you need to be saved.
Well to address the first thing. I am a layman. For those of you who will read this and not know what a layman is this is what a person is known as who is not a clergyman, preacher, priest, vicar, etc. I have a job in a factory and am a skilled tradesman. I have been a Christian for almost 40 years as of this writing. I am not the most avid student of God’s Word but I do read it daily and believe that Christians should seek to do the will of God in their everyday lives.
The second portion of this blog is not as easy as the first but since it is necessary to be saved before seeking holiness and so I will start this with a primer on Christianity and salvation. Much of what I will blog will be up for interpretation by many readers and therefore I will always try to use the Word of God as a final authority for “things in stone”. Other ideas, definitions, etc. may be gotten from studies, dictionaries and so forth.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines a Christian as "one who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or lives the lifestyle based on the life and teachings of Jesus; one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus."
A wide range of beliefs and practices is found across the world among those who call themselves Christian. A 2007 survey in the United States identified the following five typical American categories:
- Active Christians: Committed to attending church, Bible reading, and Sharing their faith that salvation comes through Jesus Christ. They also accept leadership positions in their church.
- Professing Christians: Are also committed to "accepting Christ as Savior and Lord" as the key to being a Christian, but focus on personal relationships with God and Jesus more than on church, Bible reading or sharing faith.
- Liturgical Christians: High level of spiritual activity, mainly expressed by attending and recognizing the authority of the church, and by serving in it or in the community.
- Private Christians: Believe in God and in doing good things, but not within a church context. In the American survey, this was the largest and youngest segment.
- Cultural Christians: Do not view Jesus as essential to salvation. They are the least likely to align their beliefs or practices with biblical teachings or to attend church. They favor a university theology that sees many ways to God.
Other countries may not show the same variety, especially where there is active persecution of Christians.
My next blog will deal more directly with Biblical Salvation and how to be saved.
