THE JOURNEY TOWARD HOLINESS
Have you given some time to the idea of HOLINESS as a Christian ? As I seek to mature in my Faith and Walk with Jesus, Holiness is something that I know I need to understand and work on. I am not referencing Holiness in terms of Salvation, for it is all too clear to me that Jesus accepted me as I was and I am….a “sinner”. Mankind was born in a state of “iniquity”, and only the incredible Love, Grace, and Mercy of a Truly Holy God allowed us to move on from that past and be REBORN ! It is important for us as “Saved” followers of Jesus to also become “Holy” followers of Jesus as well. I recently saw a startling picture that made it so clear how important it is to understand the depth of our Christian WALK ! It was a picture with two parallel roads. One road is wide and full of people. That road runs straight and long; seemingly an easy jaunt; people filing along in unison in one Big, Crowded, Flood of Humanity. A sign on the road is so poignant, reading, “I Believe In God.” The other road is narrow; winding into many switchbacks and curves; just a few people are walking on it; some alone and others with a partner or friend. This road also bears a sign. It has a different message, reading, “I OBEY GOD.“ WOW ! How is that for a not so subtle wake up call ? SO MANY BELIEVERS on a road that advertises a “BELIEF”, yet a much smaller and less traveled road advertising “OBEDIENCE”. Contemplate that in your own Life and Heart. Is Belief Enough ? Is just a belief real, or is there MORE ? All my life, my experience is that Growing and Maturing in anything takes TIME AND EFFORT….Only Then will one see GROWTH AND CHANGE. When. JESUS was on the earth as a man, He spent a great deal of time teaching and showing the power of God’s Love and Authority to ALL He encountered. In speaking to Nicodemas, a Jewish Leader of the time, He Had A Very Pointed Statement regarding the Kingdom Of God. Jesus told him, “ No One Will See The Kingdom Of God Unless They Are Born Again. “ And then, “You Must Be Born Of Water And The Spirit.” OUR SECOND BIRTH IS SPIRITUAL! This is where things change from a simple Belief….Into A NEW LIFE:) Jesus continues, saying “The Spirit Of God Moves Like The Wind, Touching The Hearts Of Man, AS IT WILLS. “ We can’t fully determine How the Spirit will move, as it shares the Heart and Mind Of God, but Truly, The Holy Spirit quickens our Spirit in a “Regenerating” POWER that gives us REBIRTH INTO GOD”S FAMILY. IN GOD”S FAMILY, WE BEGIN A JOURNEY TOWARD HOLINESS.
BUT YOU ARE A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR HIS OWN POSSESSION, THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE EXCELLENCIES OF HIM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT. 1 Peter 2:9
YOU SHALL BE HOLY TO ME, FOR I THE LORD AM HOLY AND SEPARATED YOU FROM THE PEOPLES, THAT YOU SHOULD BE MINE. Leviticus 20:26
FOR GOD HAS NOT CALLED US FOR IMPURITY, BUT IN HOLINESS. 1 Thessalonians 4:7
THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US. WE OBSERVED HIS GLORY, THE GLORY AS THE ONE AND ONLY SON FROM THE FATHER FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. John 1:14
The two roads that I introduced earlier truly should define WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST ! Are we “PART OF THE CROWD ”, or are we “SET APART?” I believe that our Journey Toward Holiness does one thing in particular; We Desire To Become MORE LIKE JESUS ! Loving toward others; Merciful: Humble and Gracious; Seeking God’s Will In All Things; Be obedient to The Word Of God; SEEK GOD AND HIS WAYS, SHARING THEM IN LOVE WITH OTHERS ! Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Christian Community today is to actually DESIRE AND ACT IN PURSUIT OF HOLINESS. REAL HOLINESS ! GOD”S DEFINITION OF HOLINESS ! The world uses many buzzwords from a Christian Vocabulary, but unfortunately they REDEFINE their Meaning and Purpose. Love becomes universal, with no boundaries on right versus wrong, or behavioral malfesance. God’s Word defines what is right and proper, not mankinds Opinion ! Justice becomes self centered and ignores God’s principals and order. Law becomes a Heavy Yoke in many religions, while others promote work and self improvement as the way to “Earn” some version of “Acceptance”. AS A CHRISTIAN, DO YOU REALIZE THAT ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST WILL YOU BE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD ? THERE IS “NO OTHER WAY”. ONLY IN GOD’S LOVE AND GRACE WILL YOU BE SAVED AND ENTER GOD’S KINGDOM ! …..HOWEVER :) GOD HAS SOME DEFINITE DESIRES FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOW JESUS….WE ARE TO WALK IN HIS WAYS ! That walk involves moving toward Holiness and Perfection in Him. That walk includes understanding and following God’s Commandments and Will for a Complete and Abundant Life. That walk means being Set Apart from the world and its Culture and Shallow Beliefs and Goals. It is a challenging walk….but YOU AND I DON’T WALK IT ALONE ! JESUS IS ALWAYS WITH US, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD ! Jesus said it best : “ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22: 36-40). Simple Question : WHERE ARE YOU ? Wide road, comfortable with the masses and cruising along in your same old path and patterns; Or, Set Apart and journeying toward Holiness and Obedience ?
WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE SPLENDOR OF HIS HOLINESS; TREMBLE BEFORE HIM, ALL THE EARTH. Psalm 96:9
SANCIFY THEM IN THE TRUTH; YOUR WORD IS TRUTH. John 17:17
AND TO PUT ON THE NEW SELF, CREATED AFTER THE LIKENESS OF GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS. Ephesians 4:24
Do you Fear The Lord ? Fear meaning, “Reverence in His Power, Authority, and Holiness. “ It means that we Realize and Understand HIS HOLINESS. Do you Believe in Jesus AND FOLLOW HIM, or simply claim a vague awareness ? Are you REBORN ? New ways and habits, thoughts, and Desires ? Are You Looking Out For Others, both in Action and Treasure ? Remember, God Has Given You What You Have….Honor Him ! I can’t stress how important it is to find a Church Community with a Strong Biblical Pastoral Staff that views God’s Word as Truth without Redefinition. THANK YOU Pastor Jason Fritz and Illuminate Community Church :) Pulpit compromise or misunderstanding can be disastrous for our Walk and Discernment. Seek God in your daily life and let Him Guide Your Path And Steps. Put on the “Yoke” of Jesus and let Him show you a complete and abundant life. SERVE GOD IN OBEDIENCE, AND BE HIS LIGHT UNTO THE WORLD :) FIND HOLINESS IN CHRIST THE KING/JAA
SO THAT HE MAY ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS BLAMELESS IN HOLINESS BEFORE OUR GOD AND FATHER, AT THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS WITH ALL HIS SAINTS. 1 Thessalonians 3:13