Chapter 2: The Reason for Redemption

In the second chapter of The Hole in Our Holiness, Kevin DeYoung writes, “Why did God save you?”  It is a good question.  Of course there are several different answers: because God loved us (John 3:16) and for the glory of His name (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14), are probably the first two that come to mind, but there is third reason that deserves consideration: holiness.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

Ephesians 1:3-4 (ESV)

In his letter to the Church at Ephesus, Paul writes that God chose us to be holy and blameless.  Of course, we know through Scripture that we are anything but holy and blameless before God.  The Bible is clear that we are in a state of constant rebellion against God.  We are corrupt and self-centered.  None is righteous, no, not one;  no one understands; no one seeks for God.  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”  (Romans 3:10-11)  Yet, Jesus tell us that we must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

So we fail in all respects, but God in His wisdom sent Jesus to provide what God required!  God gives to those who respond in faith the righteousness of Christ. Not that we become righteous but we are declared righteous in God’s eyes.  Though we have no righteousness or holiness of our own to proclaim before God, He still has called us to live out the declaration of holiness.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

Let us commit together as a Church to live out God’s great salvation in our lives in holiness.