John 17, Habakkuk 2, Romans 10, and 8, James 1, and Hebrews 11 are all very relevant texts in any enquiry into Holiness. There is a lot in the context of these chapters that explains the verses you site. Next, your linking sanctification(making holy) to holiness is good; they are variations on the same word as is the word saint(holy one). The whole theme of the book of Leviticus in a sense is "thou shalt be holy for I am holy", and this is what Christ has been made unto us as the lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world as well as the Great High Priest, the alter, the temple...etc. As Paul in 1 Corinthians says, "To them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's: 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
Now also your linking faith to Truth, truth to the Word, and then to sanctification also is very sound. The Habakkuk context sets a contrast between those who's life proceeds from themselves and those who live by faith. What makes this contrast concrete is the inference that Faith proceeds from God not man. This is the great object of our Lords prayer in Jn.17. Also it is what Paul says in Ephesians 2, "8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." That faith is given to men in salvation and that sanctification like salvation works on the same principal is seen in Romans 12, "3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." And lest any one think that faith is a generic gift to all mankind the scriptures teach, "1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." Saving faith is imparted in the regeneration of dead but chosen sinners; from the heart it works repentance and confession of Christ as its savior.
Lastly, Hebrews and James can be understood in this context; this too is good. James 2 says, "18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" Because all of this is freely given to Gods elect in their salvation (including their obedience) by the unfailing accomplishment of Christ on their behalf, the Scriptures also proclaim, "26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
I thank God he is able to work within saints to make them willing. It is our hope for ourselves as well as others we fellowship with. We see this also in scripture, "12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Phil. 2)
Great is the mystery(a once hidden truth now plainly reveled) of godliness, Christ is able to save sinners, to give life to the dead. As Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:16, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
My last take on holiness, though this is all so rich, we know that we will be like him for we shall see him as he is. We become like him as we see him now though we see through a glass darkly from faith unto faith.
This is all very brief and simple but it was a good question. Thanks friend...DGB
