A Cry For Holiness - November 19, 2005
A cry for
holiness is what I am writing to you: a cry to be set apart unto
God. Out of the belly of the word of God you can hear it. Nothing
can fix what ails the church but holiness unto the Lord. All that's wrong
morally and spiritually will be corrected if we will unite ourselves to
the Lord and line up to what tears at his heart. "Thou thoughtest
that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee"
Psalms 50:21. If we will begin at the place of reproof, we can then go
to studying what is that lures us out of oneness with him.
The requirements
of holiness are very demanding but there is not a "to do list".
Instead, we're united to the person of God. He will command heavily upon
our entire being and he will draw out of us everything that takes us away
from that set apart place with him. It follows like the scripture in James
4:9 "Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep". Pleasures and money
cannot rule the one who answers the call to holiness. Rather, there will
be much aloneness with God.
"A glorious
high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary" Jeremiah
17:12. We seek to his highness, his perfection and his holiness; there
we can find sanctuary. Job said: "thy visitation hath preserved my
spirit" Job 10:12b. We visit at his high throne where the angels
cry holy: while the twenty-four elders fall on their faces (Revelation
5:8-10 & 7:11). The angels and the twenty-four elders are already
in their perfect state but yet they are compelled to humble at God's holiness.
They recognize that reconciling the world unto himself by the blood of
his son Jesus Christ.
Prayer is a likely
place to go if we will find the way of holiness. "Surely there is
a vein for the silver, and a place for the gold where they fine it."
"There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye
hath no seen: The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion
passed by it" Job 28:1; 7&8. We are not seeking an experience:
we have run out of options and the only habitable place for us is wherever
God is dwelling. Of course, he does live within the born again believer
by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit but we must also abide in him if
we will approach the place of holiness.
Jesus Christ
"is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made lighter
than the heavens" Hebrews 7:26. He offered up himself once (v.27)
at the cross where God renders men innocent "through
faith in his blood" Romans 3:25. The work of God is accomplished
in the cross. Now, God says commandingly: "Be ye holy; for I am holy"
I Peter 1:16. The church must come the way of holiness and reside there
with God. Having entered this holy field we cannot venture our interests
elsewhere.
The holy
saint is relieved to know that there is nothing else to attend to but
the "good way" Jeremiah 6:16. We will accept, that judgment
must prevail upon the house of God, of wich we are a part (I Peter 4:17),
in order that the thoughts and intents of our hearts may be discerned
by the sword of God's word (Hebrews 4:12; 5:14).
There has
been enough talk about "practical Christian living", with so
much buzz about "destiny", "purpose", "real
life answers and solutions". We are and were created for
God's pleasure that we might bring glory and honor unto him (Revelation
4:11). He is glorified in the one who seeks his person. He is not looking
for a lot of activity. Today's modern message has led the masses to self-improvement
resulting in self-absorption. The real life of the church
is destroyed if we do not gather together to the glory of His person.
When we dare recognize
the sinfulness and spiritual shallowness in our lives, we will be quick
to seek out a preacher and camaraderie of people who share an interest
in sanctifying unto God. To sanctify means to set apart unto holy use.
Church, seek God.
We have taught men too well how to enjoy life, how to find pleasure and
purpose in family, job, career, education and entertainment. There are
few that will love the message to "forsake all" (Luke 14:33).
We have told the
masses that their calling is not in the four walls of the church and we
will probably never see them again, who become so persuaded. Gathering
together is for the purpose of exhorting on another: and so much the more,
as you see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).
Jesus loves the church
and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the
washing of the water by the word, that he might present it to himself
a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but
that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27). He also,
chose us in him before the foundations of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before him in love (Ephesians 1:4).
Yielding to his sanctifying
work in us is a full time occupation. The service of the church upon Jesus
Christ is a continual thing and cannot be compromised with other preoccupations.
The riches of Christ are unsearchable (Ephesians 3:8). Do we value Christ
the person? Jesus is not interesting enough for most Christians. We lose
interest because he must be sought out in prayer and consecrations. There
are no short cuts. Easy-living Christians will not pass this way. They
want a well-defined list of principles. They want to know what they're
in for right out of the gate. Neither will they stand for having their
lives invaded or put on tilt. They want everything prepackaged and fed
for easy consumption. That's what you call feeding on the milk. They that
partake of meat will have their senses exercised to discern both good
and evil (Hebrews 5:14).
Holiness is essential
to righteousness (moral rightness). Jesus was made unto us righteousness
(I Corinthians 1:30) in order that we might without condemnation but with
holy conviction seek the righteousness that is part and parcel of his
nature.
Jesus Christ
as the perfectly righteous one love righteousness and hated iniquity (Hebrews
1:9). He holds a sceptre of righteousness and will order his kingdom and
establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even for ever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Hebrews 1:8; Psalms 45:6;
Isaiah 9:7). "Righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and
faithfulness the girdle of his reigns" Isaiah 11:5.
Sincerely in Christ,
Mike Andrews
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