Holy by Association
Colossians 1:2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
Associations can make or break us, can’t they? If we know someone of position or wealth, we may be tempted to name drop, saying, “I know (insert name of popular or famous individual), we’re friends!” Our social standing is elevated and we have a measure of importance because of our connection.. We might even expect to receive preferential treatment or special access because of who we know. Our value in the eyes of others may increase, not because of anything we’ve done, but because of who we know. It becomes a point of pride and self-importance.
We’re also familiar with the phrase “guilty by association” and we fully understand what that means. Just by knowing someone and being in their presence when a wrong is committed can cause us to be guilty by association. Perhaps it’s a business partnership wherein one partner acts illegally.. The other partner is then ‘guilty by association’ due to the shared responsibility and benefits of that partnership. Guilt by association can stem from the actions of a friend, family member or group to which one belongs. We’re culpable not because of what we’ve done, but because of who we know. It becomes a point of disgrace and humiliation.
But holy by association? What does that even mean and how does that happen?
The Apostle Paul addressed this when he wrote to the church in Colossae,
Colossians 1:2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
What did Paul mean when he called these believers “God’s holy people”? Was it how they lived their life? Were they exceptionally spirit-led and sinless?
Strong’s Concordance says the word ‘holy’ or ‘hagios”, means a people who possess distinction because of a connection to God. They are sacred, pure, morally blameless and consecrated (1).
Did you catch that… a people who possess distinction because of a connection to God. If we are believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and we trust in Him alone for our salvation, we are holy by association. How amazing is that?! It’s only because of our connection to Him that we are spiritually set apart and recognized as God’s own. It’s not just because we know Jesus, but because Jesus knows us and claims us as His own. Nothing we do on our own could ever achieve this status. It’s only through Jesus. We are holy by association.
Scripture makes several references to this holy association.
Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
1 Corinthians 1:2 “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:”
Romans 1:7 “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 2:11 ”Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.”
Did you note that last verse? Both the one who makes people holy (Jesus) and those who are made holy (believers) are of the same family. Jesus is not afraid to call them/us brothers and sisters. We are holy by association.
That removes a whole lot of pressure to make ourselves ‘acceptable’, doesn’t it? It’s not up to us. We are chosen and made holy by the work of Jesus.
Friends, we need to take time to gain perspective. When we ‘name drop’ it should be the name of Jesus Christ, not to make ourselves more important, but to increase the fame of our Lord and Savior. When we truly understand that we are holy by association to God, we should respond in all humility, not pride, and remember that it’s only through Jesus that we have such a standing. We possess distinction because we are connected to God. We don’t have to make ourselves better, achieve a certain standing, or have an “A” list of friends in order to be recognized as holy. All we need to do is believe in Jesus and trust in Him for our salvation and redemption.
Today, let’s pray for our sons and daughters that they don’t fall into the trap of self-importance or faulty concepts of performance-based “holiness”. Pray that they would understand the immeasurable worth of their value in Christ Jesus- the One who makes them holy. Pray that they would practice humility in understanding the price of their holiness was gained through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus and the call to obey Christ. Finally, pray that they take their eyes off of human standards of connection and worth and lean into the Biblical definition of holiness as God’s chosen and dearly loved people.
Take time today to write out a prayer reflecting your understanding of holiness by association.
Pray without ceasing.
G40 - hagios - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g40/niv/mgnt/0-1/