Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
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The question of holiness drives Paul’s letter to the Romans. The way he puts the question (and answers it!) in Romans 6:1–2 is especially striking. For one, the question is framed negatively in these verses: “Should we continue in sin?” Now you may be thinking, What choice do we have? We’re only human. Don’t all humans sin? Isn’t that what it means to be human? And if those are the kinds of questions coming to mind, then Paul’s answer to the question of sin and holiness will surprise you. Because his answer is an emphatic no.
When Paul writes “By no means!” in verse 2, imagine him writing in all caps with multiple exclamation points. That will give you an idea of his tone and emphasis. For Paul, believers should not continue in sin. So he offers a vision of a human life that isn’t characterized by sin. It’s a vision of human life—real human life!—free from the power of sin. And while it may be surprising, it’s unmistakably clear that, for Paul, sin is not essential to human life. To the contrary, sin degrades human life. Sin dehumanizes creatures made in the image of God. And normal human life—human life as God intended—is life free from sin. And if Paul is right about that, then holiness is about becoming more fully human, not less. But to grapple with that reality, we’ll have to back up to the opening chapters of Romans and work our way forward.
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Much of the gospel you may have heard centers around hope for the next life, freedom from guilt and condemnation, and forgiveness of sin. But what does the Bible teach us about freedom from sin? Or deliverance from the things that produce guilt rather than the guilt itself? Free to Be Holy illuminates the other half of the gospel and explores an element of the biblical story that is often forgotten—holiness for this life.
In these pages you’ll:
------Discover the breadth and beauty of Christian salvation described in an accessible writing style
------Walk through key biblical stories & passages concerning holiness with an easy to understand approach
------Be challenged to lay hold of the new life promised in Jesus Christ, which is characterized by love
For Christians, the word holy carries weight. It is a touchstone for daily life, a reminder to center around Jesus rather than the world. Striving for a holy life can feel like a constant chase toward something unattainable, but there is another way to approach holiness. In this book, Dr. O’Reilly uses scripture to guide readers through what God wants for us: perfect love and becoming fully human. Along the way, he shows that holiness has more to do with embodying God’s character in order to faithfully represent him in mission to the world. Each chapter ends with intentional questions for reflection and discussion, allowing the reader to engage deeper with themselves and in fellowship.
—
This is a solid treatment as to what real holiness, which God expects of his people, is all about. Highly recommended.
–Dr. Ben Witherington III, Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
Matt O’Reilly’s book helps reorient misguided conversations to remind readers that holiness is about sharing in and embodying the divine character of the triune God in our daily lives.
–Tammie Grimm, Associate Professor of Congregational Formation, Wesley Seminary (Marion, Indiana)
This will be a helpful book to put in the hands of both the nominal Christian who does not recognize the possibility and the earnest Christian who wants to go deeper but does not know how. Warmly recommended.
–John N. Oswalt, Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary
About the Author
Matt O’Reilly (PhD, Gloucestershire) is lead pastor of Christ Church Birmingham in Alabama, director of research at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians. He is the author of Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice (SBL Press) and The Letters to the Thessalonians (Seedbed).
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seedbed.com
Are you ready to WAKE UP? Seedbed exists to gather, connect, and resource the people of God to sow for a great awakening.
Sign up to receive the FREE DAILY DEVOTIONAL called the Wake-Up Call here:
seedbed.com/wakeupcall
my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy
GET THE COMPLETE STUDY HERE!
--
The question of holiness drives Paul’s letter to the Romans. The way he puts the question (and answers it!) in Romans 6:1–2 is especially striking. For one, the question is framed negatively in these verses: “Should we continue in sin?” Now you may be thinking, What choice do we have? We’re only human. Don’t all humans sin? Isn’t that what it means to be human? And if those are the kinds of questions coming to mind, then Paul’s answer to the question of sin and holiness will surprise you. Because his answer is an emphatic no.
When Paul writes “By no means!” in verse 2, imagine him writing in all caps with multiple exclamation points. That will give you an idea of his tone and emphasis. For Paul, believers should not continue in sin. So he offers a vision of a human life that isn’t characterized by sin. It’s a vision of human life—real human life!—free from the power of sin. And while it may be surprising, it’s unmistakably clear that, for Paul, sin is not essential to human life. To the contrary, sin degrades human life. Sin dehumanizes creatures made in the image of God. And normal human life—human life as God intended—is life free from sin. And if Paul is right about that, then holiness is about becoming more fully human, not less. But to grapple with that reality, we’ll have to back up to the opening chapters of Romans and work our way forward.
--
Much of the gospel you may have heard centers around hope for the next life, freedom from guilt and condemnation, and forgiveness of sin. But what does the Bible teach us about freedom from sin? Or deliverance from the things that produce guilt rather than the guilt itself? Free to Be Holy illuminates the other half of the gospel and explores an element of the biblical story that is often forgotten—holiness for this life.
In these pages you’ll:
------Discover the breadth and beauty of Christian salvation described in an accessible writing style
------Walk through key biblical stories & passages concerning holiness with an easy to understand approach
------Be challenged to lay hold of the new life promised in Jesus Christ, which is characterized by love
For Christians, the word holy carries weight. It is a touchstone for daily life, a reminder to center around Jesus rather than the world. Striving for a holy life can feel like a constant chase toward something unattainable, but there is another way to approach holiness. In this book, Dr. O’Reilly uses scripture to guide readers through what God wants for us: perfect love and becoming fully human. Along the way, he shows that holiness has more to do with embodying God’s character in order to faithfully represent him in mission to the world. Each chapter ends with intentional questions for reflection and discussion, allowing the reader to engage deeper with themselves and in fellowship.
—
This is a solid treatment as to what real holiness, which God expects of his people, is all about. Highly recommended.
–Dr. Ben Witherington III, Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
Matt O’Reilly’s book helps reorient misguided conversations to remind readers that holiness is about sharing in and embodying the divine character of the triune God in our daily lives.
–Tammie Grimm, Associate Professor of Congregational Formation, Wesley Seminary (Marion, Indiana)
This will be a helpful book to put in the hands of both the nominal Christian who does not recognize the possibility and the earnest Christian who wants to go deeper but does not know how. Warmly recommended.
–John N. Oswalt, Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary
About the Author
Matt O’Reilly (PhD, Gloucestershire) is lead pastor of Christ Church Birmingham in Alabama, director of research at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians. He is the author of Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice (SBL Press) and The Letters to the Thessalonians (Seedbed).
--
seedbed.com
Are you ready to WAKE UP? Seedbed exists to gather, connect, and resource the people of God to sow for a great awakening.
Sign up to receive the FREE DAILY DEVOTIONAL called the Wake-Up Call here:
seedbed.com/wakeupcall
