What does holiness mean to you? Words that come to mind may include entire sanctification, full salvation, perfect love, or set apart for God. In May, The Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training hosted a holiness seminar, where General Linda Bond (Rtd) led six sessions for both first- and second-year cadets on the theme of “Holiness as Christlikeness.”

The seminar gave me a better understanding of our foundational Wesleyan theology of sanctification. General Bond began by focusing on the scriptural foundations of holiness in our Salvation Army doctrines. Doctrine 10 states that “it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified.” Holiness is of God, for us. Why would God implore us to be holy as he is holy, if it were not attainable?

Next, General Bond explored holiness in relationship with God the Father. This involves growing deeper in our knowledge of the Father. This relationship is also cultivated by a life of prayer, obedience and trust, which are all perfectly modelled by Jesus. Then she outlined four ways that holiness is being like Christ:

Being like Christ in servanthood. No position counts for much if you don’t have the nature of a servant. General Bond shared that true leaders are servant leaders.

Being like Christ in character. Character comes from the inside out. It’s not about external rituals but the condition of your heart.

Being like Christ in suffering. General Bond pointed out that a third of the Gospels record Jesus’ Passion, which emphasizes to us how important Jesus’ suffering is.

Being like Christ in love. Jesus made all those around him, including the ones on the outside, feel like his friends. He shows us how to love one another.

This was my first time meeting General Bond and it was a blessing and a privilege to sit under her spiritual authority. With poise and tact, she spoke hard truths and challenged us to be holy, reassuring us that she was speaking the truth to us in love, as she addressed us as “beloved.” We were inspired by her stories and her wisdom, and I’m sure we will all remember her time with us fondly as we carry her teachings with us into our officership. A further testament to her care for us was her assuring us of her commitment to add our names to her already long prayer list.

When considering the invitation by God to be holy, it can seem like a daunting task. I often wondered how people could be wholly sanctified in this life. If we supposedly get more and more perfect as we grow in holiness, should that not be reflected in our lives? Where are all the holy people? It is easy to become discouraged or cynical.

We can’t forget that Jesus was human, and he was holy. Jesus was perfectly attuned to the Holy Spirit and in perfect relationship with his Father. As General Bond said, “You don’t need more of the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit needs more of you!” It’s not about striving for perfection or what we can do in our own strength. Being open to the work of God in our lives is how we experience holiness as Christlikeness. Through sanctification, God forms and moulds us into the truest versions of ourselves, humans who reflect the face of the One in whose image we were made.

Many different words come to mind when thinking of holiness, because Christians have different beliefs on what holiness means. Acknowledging this, General Bond said most would agree that you cannot talk about holiness without talking about Christ. Holiness is a gift from God that we need to take. The bottom line is: if you want holiness, it’s yours.

Lieutenant Jenny Rideout, who was commissioned in June, serves with her husband, Lieutenant Matthew Rideout, as the corps officers at Georgina Community Church in Jackson’s Point, Ont.

Illustration: Rivonny Luchas