We're a holiness movement. We need to be holy individuals and a holy people. This is God's good will for all...that includes us.
Do you think this is understood where you are? Do you know about this blessed part of our relationship with God? I'm interested to know. Is it such a mystery? How can we convey this reality with simplicity?
Revelation 22:11 (MSG)
11 Let evildoers do their worst and the dirty-minded go all out in pollution, but let the righteous maintain a straight course and the holy continue on in holiness."
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15 comments:
Jim,
I think that the problem is that holiness is often mistaken for piety. Legalism is often a snare that traps us in the holiness movement.
When we are perfect in our love for God and humanity do you really think we need to think about how to convey the message?
I think Larry has highlighted a common misconception. Holiness can too often be associated with 'holier than thou' attitudes. I've always thought that authenticity was a vital component of true holiness - being honest about who we are to ourselves, others and God. Again, I guess here that actions still speak louder than words.
Absolutely. Holiness is not a competition, right? It's not like we're trying to score points and compare ourselves to human beings. Chances are if someone is overtly trying to broadcast their holiness, then chances are they were never that holy to begin with.
Conveying holiness involves humility, sincerity, death to self, purity, freedom, living a good and righteous life, and as jdk put it, actions rather than words. I believe if it's true holiness, then God will bless it with fruit and it will convey itself.
Great verse! I was using this verse in class last Friday in our Bible exegesis of Thessalonians, the subject of holiness was present.
Holiness is God in the middle of what you are doing, plain. Holiness is God's character - LOVE - like a wave that continues.
Holiness includes stopping still and facing the teen group who is reduced to racist jokes and harmful conversation about young girls..."Gentlemen, this is the way a real man behaves..." And then remaining with them, not leaving offended, but remaining because they mean so much to you.
Holiness tells the truth, even if it unpopular, especially if the easiest course would be to place the untruth on a dark shelf no one sees..."No one will know, no one gets hurt this way..."
Holiness follows through with integrity.
Holiness is moved by the compassion of God's heart, over the matters that are close to God's heart.
Revelations 22:11 is exceptional. The righteous on the straight and holy course to holiness is in direct contrast with a self-propelled and self-adulated culture. Living for God and loving what and who God lvoes is in direct contrast to a selfish culture.
Holiness shows, and doesn't bring condemnation - holiness brings grace and forgiveness.
Your posts are always a welcomed part of my day (typically the end of the day as the time change comes into play.) Thank you for your continued, succinct ministry of encouragement and illumination.
Holiness is essential to the identity of the church as a whole as well as to each individual in it, for both are God’s holy temple. Three things can be said, a. holiness is difference from the life of those who do not participate in God’s call or character. Non-conformity means being different rather than escaping from this world. This difference enables us to bear witness to the cultural context in which we are called to live as God’s people. b. Holiness is Trinitarian in structure. It is the unified, collaborative activity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Holiness is the call and will of the Father; it occurs in Christ Jesus, who defines holiness for the church; and the Holy Spirit affects it. Our holiness then, is participation in divine holiness. As God sets us apart as his people and conveys to us his very character, Holiness is not just a human imperative, it is a divine fruit. Holiness is essentially Christ-likeness. Christ-likeness or koinonia with Christ is the opposite of unholiness. The eschatological goal (teleos) of conformity to Christ begins now through an ongoing experience of sharing in Christ’s status as a slave of God and others, one that is charactized by non-retaliatory, other-centred, cruciform love. To be holy is to be Christ-like. The New Testaments vision of Trinitarian cruciform holiness challenges our contemporary spiritualities, immoralities, and idolatries. WJE
One of the problems I face is our teenagers are constantly told off by people who don't drink, smoke, dress in uniform and are considered holy because they are seen to be doing the right things. Yet they are angrey, bitter, nasty people. there is a lacking of the fruites of the spirit. Saddly these people are noticed by our youth a lot more than the gentle, quiet, humble Holy person.
gotgumonmyshoe
gotgumonmyshoe
must agree my son was totally put off the salvation army and church because a divisional officer got stuck into him because he'd seen him smoking even though as you say this persons life and actions do not display the fruits of the spirit.
As a parent this is discouraging when you are trying to encourage your young people.
To me the life of Holiness is simply being Christlike in all I do or say. My life should speak louder than any words that I say. The Scriptures and a deep prayer life equip me to be the person God intended me to be. Yes, I fall short at times but by the grace of God I am lifted up again. My prayer today is that my life will influence someone else for my Master as I go about my daily duties at work and wherever I am throught the day. May His fruit be seen in me.
free from sin - filled with love.
Edwin Hatch
"Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with thee I will one will
To do and to endure."
I cannot improve on Edwin's words.
to me holiness is the desire to be such. Only God can accomplsh this in me. My own efforts at holiness have never had long lasting results.
I think we at times confuse finding ourselves in a favorable environment that fosters good behaviour with being holy.
Do you know what I mean?
In Ephesians chapter 1, verse 4 we read "For God chose us in him (that is in Jesus) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." My understanding is that holy living is what God wants us to enjoy; it is a privilege that he reserves for those who are "in Christ." Let's think of it in that way and claim his promise. The Holy Spirit will do his work of grace in us as we yield ourselves to him.
Connie Gilchrist.
thank you Connie, that was a great help. Your words encouraged me to spend more time with the Word.
The good works of the Army are well known, they make Salvos 'fair dinkum' to the average Aussie. I guess that is Aussie speak for holiness in some respects. Here's an area where 'corporate holiness' could go beyond who drinks or doesn't, who wears a uniform or doesn't.... very practical, every day things like TSA employees' wages and nurturing employees' potential... just a thought!
This is an incredibly important subject and there are great concepts through the comments. Keep on trusting God.
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