What is repentance? My dictionary describes repentance this way ... "To feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin; to view or think of (an action or omission) with deep regret or remorse."
The origin of the word repent in Middle English comes from the Old French word ... "repentir." Breaking it down we have ... "re," meaning to express intensive force, together with "pentir," which is based on the Latin word "paenitere" meaning ... cause to repent.
This is speaking of natural human regret, wishing we hadn't done or said something in the way we proceeded.
Spiritual repentance though is a different matter. Repentance first comes to the sinner when he says ... "Lord, forgive me." Usually there is a conviction in the heart of wrong doing; you have missed the mark and you know you have failed in some way. This conviction you feel comes from God, and it is exactly as the French and Latin words express ... an intensive force which causes repentance. It's called, the Holy Spirit.
Dealing with simple minds like mine, I like to say, when a person repents ... not just of sin, but from sin ... it is a 180 degree u-turn in your walk. You change direction, you turn and walk the opposite way. There will be a change in your life style ... although it may not be an instantaneous change.
Nicholas Herman, the seventeenth century Carmelite monk from French Lorraine, said it this way ... "One does not become holy all at once." He continued with ... "We ought to put our whole trust in God, and make a total surrender of ourselves to Him, receiving the abundance of His grace, without which we can do nothing but sin."
He also said ... "We must leave the creature behind, distrust our own strength utterly, and commit ourselves wholly to His safekeeping."
"Leave the creature behind." That's the old nature of the sinner. This step is missed by many believers. How do we do that? One way is to have a heart of repentance every day.
Salvation isn’t just a past event, it’s an ongoing journey. Repentance is not a one-time event. Daily repentance is like throwing another log on a dying fire ... it brings that fire of submission and surrender to God back to life.
Live a life of repentance. Never, ever, make peace with your sin. And, yes, Christians still sin.
Repentance is an active daily posture, an ongoing change of heart, not a magical one time grouping of words we repeated when we accepted Jesus as our Savior.
The good news? It’s not about more effort ... because you can’t fix yourself ... it’s about more submission. It’s about having the courage to face your brokenness, to admit your sinfulness, and to surrender who you are to Jesus. Daily.
Today. Tomorrow. Everyday.
I don't care whether you’ve been a believer for 30 minutes or 30 years.
Are you still struggling to conquer the so called demons that "good Christians" aren’t supposed to have? Embrace repentance as a way of life.
Repentance is a daily confrontation with our brokenness and the ongoing application of the only remedy that really works ... submission to Jesus Christ. In everything.
While it is true that Satan, our tempter, the enemy of our souls, the one who lies in wait ... has been defeated by Jesus ... it is also true that the devil is still lurking around trying to get you to follow the dictates of the flesh, rather than obeying your heart and spirit.
Oswald Chambers, (1874-1917) the Scottish Protestant teacher and W.W. I chaplain spoke to this very thing when he said ... "We look upon the enemy of our souls as a conquered foe; so he is, but only to God, not to us."
Because of this very same fact, that the devil is lurking around tempting believers, the old French monk, 300 years ago also gave us this word of encouragement ...
"Think not that I counsel you to disregard completely and forever the outward things that are around us. That is impossible.
The world, the flesh, and the devil join forces and assault the soul so straitly and so untiringly that, without humble reliance on the ever-present aid of God, they drag the soul down in spite of all resistance.
The presence of God is thus the life and nourishment of the soul. The most needful, is the presence of God."
Repentance and submission brings the presence of God into your life.
Comments welcome.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Fruit of the Spirit
Regarding the qualities that are to flow from the heart of the followers of Jesus, the Apostle Paul wrote, "... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)
I am of the persuasion that the word "fruit" is singular in it's meaning. I believe that the outgrowth from having the Holy Spirit in your life is supposed to produce, if not all of these attributes Paul mentions, then at least some of them.
Of course "the fruit of the Spirit" ... if singular ... is "love" and rightly so because God is love and He is in you in the person of the Holy Spirit. Right or wrong, I look at this "love" as not just a singular fruit, but rather the whole fruit tree that produces the other eight fruits Paul names, which grow and develop out of God's love in you.
I also wonder if we aren't suppose to be like the "tree of life" that John saw in Revelation 22:2, which produced twelve types of fruit and even the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Is it too far off for me to believe that the fruit we bare might help heal the people around us? If we love people ... well, it can't hurt ... it might even be healing.
1st John 4:7-8 ... "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God ... He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
Since "God is love," should not the the mark of the followers of Jesus be love also. Shouldn't we desire to be like Him?
Just before Paul speaks about the fruit of the Spirit, he reminds the Galatians about the Jewish Law from which he came from. Galatians 5:14 ... "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
I believe Paul was referring to Leviticus 19:18 ... "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."
Romans 13:8 ... "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."
In the preceding verses of this chapter, Paul has been showing the duty which all Christians owe to the civil magistrates of the state. But to our fellow man, we owe nothing but mutual love. Therefore, it is as if the apostle is saying ... Ye owe to your fellow brethren nothing but mutual love, and this is what the law of God requires, and in this the law is fulfilled.
Love is the source from which all the other Christian virtues flow, and love is the primary obligation we have in life. And isn't this what Jesus did?
Even though this love has been placed into the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit, love is more than mere sentiment or a matter of your affections. It is a matter of your "will."
Now ... because it is a matter of your will ... many times you will be called upon to exercise that Godly "will" because loving those around you is a duty and a divine obligation. So, we have to practice acts of love and righteousness that will benefit our neighbors. Even if we think they don't deserve it.
Continuing with the fruits ...
"Joy" ... in the Greek it is "chara" (pronounced khar-ah') and means cheerfulness, or a calm delight.
A characteristic mark that this fruit of the Spirit brings to your life is an inward sense of joy regardless of circumstances; even in the midst of sorrow.
"Peace" ... translated from Greek it is "eire ne" (pronounced i-rah'-nay) meaning simply ... peace; by implication prosperity ... quietness, rest.
In Hebrew, the word for peace is "Shalom," which differs from the Greek in that it means more than just the absence of strife, but also includes the idea of "wholeness, health, balance and reconciliation." In addition to the idea of having peace with God, shalom implies the peace of God ... which Paul said, "passes all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)
"Long-suffering" ... The Apostle Paul uses the word "makrothumia" (which is pronounced mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah) meaning forbearance and fortitude ... in other words, long-suffering with patience.
This Greek word comes from two other words ... "macros" or great, and "thuo" meaning sacrifice, which together suggests someone who is slow to anger, with patient endurance of wrongdoing without taking vengeance. The idea implies that we are not easily offended by the faults of others. Long-suffering does not mean you will suffer long ... but you are willing if need be toward others.
"Gentleness" ... or "chrestotes" (pronounced khray-stot'-ace) meaning usefulness or kindness to others ... a moral excellence in character or a demeanor like gentleness.
This word conveys tenderheartedness and is associated with a generous disposition or benevolence.
"Goodness" ... the Greek is "agathosune" (pronounced ag-ath-o-soo'-nay) translated correctly as goodness, meaning a person of virtue or beneficence ... the practice of love, acts of goodness.
"Faith" ... or "pistis" (pronounced pis'-tis) as a persuasion, or a moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God), especially constancy in such profession ... assurance, belief, faith, fidelity.
The word faith can refer to the attitude of believing, the trust placed in the integrity of a person or in God, such as their ethical qualities or dependability.
"Meekness" ... "praotes" (pronounced prah-ot'-ace) meaning in the Greek, gentleness. This word is not the same as the fruit, gentleness.
In today's vocabulary, meekness is thought of as kind of "milk-toast" or the 97 pound weakling. This fruit of the Spirit should really be translated as ... "humility." You can have a humble demeanor, not boastful or proud, and still be a physically and mentally strong, healthy and vivacious person. Like Jesus was.
In the Jewish tradition, humility is among the greatest virtues, whereas pride is one of the worst attitudes. In this sense, humility also allows you to be teachable ... a very good trait or characteristic in a person; especially one trying to be like Jesus.
"Temperance" ... "egkrateia" in the Greek, (pronounced eng-krat'-i-ah) means self control, temperance. In Latin versions it can be ... "continent" ... holding together, restraining oneself, as in exercising self-restraint, especially sexually.
This word, often translated as "self control" refers especially to the inner strength needed to overcome sinful sexual desires. This inner strength comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, providing the self-restraint needed to please God, not only in this area, but in other areas where moderation is needed as well. Being placed last in this list of virtues, allows temperance to be sort of a summation of ... "the fruit of the Spirit." It's that important.
1st Peter 1:23 ... "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
Galatians 6:7-8, "... whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."
If there is no seed planted, there will be no fruit. The type of seed always determines the type of fruit.
Comments welcome.
I am of the persuasion that the word "fruit" is singular in it's meaning. I believe that the outgrowth from having the Holy Spirit in your life is supposed to produce, if not all of these attributes Paul mentions, then at least some of them.
Of course "the fruit of the Spirit" ... if singular ... is "love" and rightly so because God is love and He is in you in the person of the Holy Spirit. Right or wrong, I look at this "love" as not just a singular fruit, but rather the whole fruit tree that produces the other eight fruits Paul names, which grow and develop out of God's love in you.
I also wonder if we aren't suppose to be like the "tree of life" that John saw in Revelation 22:2, which produced twelve types of fruit and even the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Is it too far off for me to believe that the fruit we bare might help heal the people around us? If we love people ... well, it can't hurt ... it might even be healing.
1st John 4:7-8 ... "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God ... He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
Since "God is love," should not the the mark of the followers of Jesus be love also. Shouldn't we desire to be like Him?
Just before Paul speaks about the fruit of the Spirit, he reminds the Galatians about the Jewish Law from which he came from. Galatians 5:14 ... "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
I believe Paul was referring to Leviticus 19:18 ... "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."
Romans 13:8 ... "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."
In the preceding verses of this chapter, Paul has been showing the duty which all Christians owe to the civil magistrates of the state. But to our fellow man, we owe nothing but mutual love. Therefore, it is as if the apostle is saying ... Ye owe to your fellow brethren nothing but mutual love, and this is what the law of God requires, and in this the law is fulfilled.
Love is the source from which all the other Christian virtues flow, and love is the primary obligation we have in life. And isn't this what Jesus did?
Even though this love has been placed into the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit, love is more than mere sentiment or a matter of your affections. It is a matter of your "will."
Now ... because it is a matter of your will ... many times you will be called upon to exercise that Godly "will" because loving those around you is a duty and a divine obligation. So, we have to practice acts of love and righteousness that will benefit our neighbors. Even if we think they don't deserve it.
Continuing with the fruits ...
"Joy" ... in the Greek it is "chara" (pronounced khar-ah') and means cheerfulness, or a calm delight.
A characteristic mark that this fruit of the Spirit brings to your life is an inward sense of joy regardless of circumstances; even in the midst of sorrow.
"Peace" ... translated from Greek it is "eire ne" (pronounced i-rah'-nay) meaning simply ... peace; by implication prosperity ... quietness, rest.
In Hebrew, the word for peace is "Shalom," which differs from the Greek in that it means more than just the absence of strife, but also includes the idea of "wholeness, health, balance and reconciliation." In addition to the idea of having peace with God, shalom implies the peace of God ... which Paul said, "passes all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)
"Long-suffering" ... The Apostle Paul uses the word "makrothumia" (which is pronounced mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah) meaning forbearance and fortitude ... in other words, long-suffering with patience.
This Greek word comes from two other words ... "macros" or great, and "thuo" meaning sacrifice, which together suggests someone who is slow to anger, with patient endurance of wrongdoing without taking vengeance. The idea implies that we are not easily offended by the faults of others. Long-suffering does not mean you will suffer long ... but you are willing if need be toward others.
"Gentleness" ... or "chrestotes" (pronounced khray-stot'-ace) meaning usefulness or kindness to others ... a moral excellence in character or a demeanor like gentleness.
This word conveys tenderheartedness and is associated with a generous disposition or benevolence.
"Goodness" ... the Greek is "agathosune" (pronounced ag-ath-o-soo'-nay) translated correctly as goodness, meaning a person of virtue or beneficence ... the practice of love, acts of goodness.
"Faith" ... or "pistis" (pronounced pis'-tis) as a persuasion, or a moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God), especially constancy in such profession ... assurance, belief, faith, fidelity.
The word faith can refer to the attitude of believing, the trust placed in the integrity of a person or in God, such as their ethical qualities or dependability.
"Meekness" ... "praotes" (pronounced prah-ot'-ace) meaning in the Greek, gentleness. This word is not the same as the fruit, gentleness.
In today's vocabulary, meekness is thought of as kind of "milk-toast" or the 97 pound weakling. This fruit of the Spirit should really be translated as ... "humility." You can have a humble demeanor, not boastful or proud, and still be a physically and mentally strong, healthy and vivacious person. Like Jesus was.
In the Jewish tradition, humility is among the greatest virtues, whereas pride is one of the worst attitudes. In this sense, humility also allows you to be teachable ... a very good trait or characteristic in a person; especially one trying to be like Jesus.
"Temperance" ... "egkrateia" in the Greek, (pronounced eng-krat'-i-ah) means self control, temperance. In Latin versions it can be ... "continent" ... holding together, restraining oneself, as in exercising self-restraint, especially sexually.
This word, often translated as "self control" refers especially to the inner strength needed to overcome sinful sexual desires. This inner strength comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, providing the self-restraint needed to please God, not only in this area, but in other areas where moderation is needed as well. Being placed last in this list of virtues, allows temperance to be sort of a summation of ... "the fruit of the Spirit." It's that important.
1st Peter 1:23 ... "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
Galatians 6:7-8, "... whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."
If there is no seed planted, there will be no fruit. The type of seed always determines the type of fruit.
Comments welcome.
Friday, February 10, 2012
If it wasn't for the Stuff
I just don't have what it takes. I'm speaking of the gray matter, you know, brains. I'm trying to wrap my mind around the thought ... no ... the fact that God had no beginning. But I can't quite completely do it.
My heart says, "believe it," because the Word of God says so. But what little understanding my mind has on that thought, it says, "how can that be?" Everything has to have a beginning, right? So ... some days, my mind has a battle with my heart. So far, my heart has always won the battle.
If it wasn't for the stuff ... things like the green grass, the fluffy white clouds in the sky, the snow capped mountains and the deep blue lakes between them, I just might wonder myself if the agnostics aren't right. An "agnostic" is a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God. Or even if God has an existence.
The agnostic then, is a person who claims neither faith in nor disbelief in God. So, since they really don't know, they too have to question ... is God really real? All they really can believe in is the material stuff they see around them. But as I have already stated, when I see the same stuff, it makes me say ... yes, there must be a God.
I say, yes ... God must be. And I say that, not necessarily because the Holy Spirit put that belief in my heart, although He may have, because it's there ... but intellectually it's because I see the stuff. Where did all this stuff come from? It didn't just happen. Study it, look at it closely and you will see evidence of an intelligent design. That means ... God.
Intelligent design holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection. Through the study and analysis of a system's components, a design theorist is able to determine whether various natural structures are the product of ... chance, natural law, intelligent design, or some combination thereof.
Honest critics of intelligent design acknowledge the difference between intelligent design and creationism. Creationism typically starts with a religious text and tries to see how the findings of science can be reconciled to it. Intelligent design starts with the verifiable evidence of nature and seeks to ascertain what inferences can be drawn from that evidence. Unlike creationism, the scientific theory of intelligent design does not claim that it can identify whether the intelligent cause detected through science, is supernatural.
But that is my personal belief. Who other than God could design such a creation and then have the power to bring it into being, materially ... so we could see the stuff.
The watchmaker argument for intelligent design ...
The watchmaker analogy was formulated by William Paley in 1802. Paley wrote that if a pocket watch is found on a heath, (an area of open uncultivated land) it is most reasonable to assume that someone dropped it and that it was made by one or more watchmakers, and not by natural forces. He wrote ...
"In crossing a heath, suppose I pitched my foot against a stone, and were asked how the stone came to be there; I might possibly answer, that, for anything I knew to the contrary, it had lain there forever: nor would it perhaps be very easy to show the absurdity of this answer. But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground, and it should be inquired how the watch happened to be in that place; I should hardly think of the answer I had before given, that for anything I knew, the watch might have always been there. There must have existed, at some time, and at some place or other, an artificer (a skilled craftsman or inventor) or artificers, who formed [the watch] for the purpose which we find it actually to answer; who comprehended its construction, and designed its use. Every indication of contrivance, every manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, exists in the works of nature; with the difference, on the side of nature, of being greater or more, and that in a degree which exceeds all computation."
Paley went on to argue that the complex structures of living things and the remarkable adaptations of plants and animals required an intelligent designer. He believed the natural world was the creation of God and showed the nature of the creator. According to Paley, God had carefully designed "even the most humble and insignificant organisms" and all of their minute features. He believed therefore that God must care even more for humanity.
Paley recognized that there is great suffering in nature, and that nature appears to be indifferent to pain. His way of reconciling this with his belief in a benevolent God was to assume that life had more pleasure than pain.
Paley and others have looked at this theory of intelligent design from most every direction and have come to the only conclusion possible, and that is ... only God ... could have placed all this stuff we see, from the smallest sub-atomic particles to the largest planets in our solar system, including the entire universe that has no end.
So ... I believe exactly what the Apostle Paul said in Colossians 1:15-17 ... "Who (speaking of Jesus) is the image of the invisible God ... For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible ... all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." ... (are held together).
Why does the Earth spin on it's axis and rotate around the Sun? What keeps the solar system from flying apart? It's not gravity. It's God and God alone. He has made the universe like a watch with different causes and movements. He has wound the main spring of time and it is winding down. It will be over some day, just like the keeper of time designed it to be.
There are no accidents. Everything that is ... is because God designed it ... as it is.
Comments welcome.
My heart says, "believe it," because the Word of God says so. But what little understanding my mind has on that thought, it says, "how can that be?" Everything has to have a beginning, right? So ... some days, my mind has a battle with my heart. So far, my heart has always won the battle.
If it wasn't for the stuff ... things like the green grass, the fluffy white clouds in the sky, the snow capped mountains and the deep blue lakes between them, I just might wonder myself if the agnostics aren't right. An "agnostic" is a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God. Or even if God has an existence.
The agnostic then, is a person who claims neither faith in nor disbelief in God. So, since they really don't know, they too have to question ... is God really real? All they really can believe in is the material stuff they see around them. But as I have already stated, when I see the same stuff, it makes me say ... yes, there must be a God.
I say, yes ... God must be. And I say that, not necessarily because the Holy Spirit put that belief in my heart, although He may have, because it's there ... but intellectually it's because I see the stuff. Where did all this stuff come from? It didn't just happen. Study it, look at it closely and you will see evidence of an intelligent design. That means ... God.
Intelligent design holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection. Through the study and analysis of a system's components, a design theorist is able to determine whether various natural structures are the product of ... chance, natural law, intelligent design, or some combination thereof.
Honest critics of intelligent design acknowledge the difference between intelligent design and creationism. Creationism typically starts with a religious text and tries to see how the findings of science can be reconciled to it. Intelligent design starts with the verifiable evidence of nature and seeks to ascertain what inferences can be drawn from that evidence. Unlike creationism, the scientific theory of intelligent design does not claim that it can identify whether the intelligent cause detected through science, is supernatural.
But that is my personal belief. Who other than God could design such a creation and then have the power to bring it into being, materially ... so we could see the stuff.
The watchmaker argument for intelligent design ...
The watchmaker analogy was formulated by William Paley in 1802. Paley wrote that if a pocket watch is found on a heath, (an area of open uncultivated land) it is most reasonable to assume that someone dropped it and that it was made by one or more watchmakers, and not by natural forces. He wrote ...
"In crossing a heath, suppose I pitched my foot against a stone, and were asked how the stone came to be there; I might possibly answer, that, for anything I knew to the contrary, it had lain there forever: nor would it perhaps be very easy to show the absurdity of this answer. But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground, and it should be inquired how the watch happened to be in that place; I should hardly think of the answer I had before given, that for anything I knew, the watch might have always been there. There must have existed, at some time, and at some place or other, an artificer (a skilled craftsman or inventor) or artificers, who formed [the watch] for the purpose which we find it actually to answer; who comprehended its construction, and designed its use. Every indication of contrivance, every manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, exists in the works of nature; with the difference, on the side of nature, of being greater or more, and that in a degree which exceeds all computation."
Paley went on to argue that the complex structures of living things and the remarkable adaptations of plants and animals required an intelligent designer. He believed the natural world was the creation of God and showed the nature of the creator. According to Paley, God had carefully designed "even the most humble and insignificant organisms" and all of their minute features. He believed therefore that God must care even more for humanity.
Paley recognized that there is great suffering in nature, and that nature appears to be indifferent to pain. His way of reconciling this with his belief in a benevolent God was to assume that life had more pleasure than pain.
Paley and others have looked at this theory of intelligent design from most every direction and have come to the only conclusion possible, and that is ... only God ... could have placed all this stuff we see, from the smallest sub-atomic particles to the largest planets in our solar system, including the entire universe that has no end.
So ... I believe exactly what the Apostle Paul said in Colossians 1:15-17 ... "Who (speaking of Jesus) is the image of the invisible God ... For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible ... all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." ... (are held together).
Why does the Earth spin on it's axis and rotate around the Sun? What keeps the solar system from flying apart? It's not gravity. It's God and God alone. He has made the universe like a watch with different causes and movements. He has wound the main spring of time and it is winding down. It will be over some day, just like the keeper of time designed it to be.
There are no accidents. Everything that is ... is because God designed it ... as it is.
Comments welcome.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Have You Forgotten That He Is Holy
Three thousand or so years ago, the descendants of Abraham, the people who worshiped the true Hebrew God, generally understood that He was a Holy God. They lived under the Law that Moses received from God Himself. In fact, what kept most of them in line turned out to be ... the fear of God.
A healthy fear of almighty God can be a good thing. But today, having been set free from the Law by faith in Jesus' death on the cross and by the grace which we have been given ... has in fact created another problem. And that is, it seems as if the Christian church today has forgotten that God is a Holy God.
While it is true that Jesus Himself has called us ... "friends" ... He still is just as Holy as He was in the Old Testament. God can never be less then He is. He is holy, we aren't. And we never will be, at least not of ourselves. Any "Holiness" we might profess to have, is like our "righteousness" ... it's not ours, it's His. His righteousness is a gift freely bestowed on us that allows us to stand in the presence of God as if we have His Holiness.
We need to look at what the word "Holy" really means if we are to understand God's holiness. The English dictionary defines holy as ... "something dedicated or consecrated to God; or a person who is morally and spiritually excellent."
Well, that is right as far as it goes, but that's still a little shallow ... there's more.
The First Epistle of Peter is addressed to believers, reminding us of the blessings which God has already bestowed on us through Jesus ... and gives the reason that as obedient children we should live a holy life before God.
1st Peter 1:15-16 ... "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (behavior); Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
God has implanted principles of holiness in us, otherwise the command ... "be ye holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44) would be unjust. The foundation of the command is this; that the Israelites professed to be His people, and that as His people they ought to be like their God ... holy. And so should we.
Since man hasn't changed, nor has God ... don't you think this declared will of God should be passed on to the believers of Jesus? Peter thought so. Because Jesus, the object of Christian worship is holy, the character of His worshipers should also be holy.
Although our personal holiness, as becoming equal to God's, will never be attained to by fallen man, it is still a desirable goal to continue the quest for such holiness as far as we are capable of attaining.
The word that Peter uses for Holy, as well as most of the other writers that are translated from the original manuscripts, is "hagios" (pronounced hag'-ee-os) and means ... an awful thing ... fearful, sacred, pure and blameless.
This is why it says in Hebrews 10:31 ... "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
The term, "a fearful thing" means ... frightful, (that is objectively: formidable, fearful, and terrible.) Almighty God wasn't fearful to man until he sinned. But in our fallen state we recognize that He is "Holy" and that type of holiness is fearful to man.
Jesus said this about fearing (or respecting) God in Luke 12:4-5 ... "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."
Jesus was speaking to the general population, those who came to hear Him teach or perform miracles of healing. All those who believed in who He was, came to love Him without any fear of judgment or of being turned away.
In the Apostle Paul's opening remarks in his letter to the Ephesian Church, he states that God has already blessed us with all spiritual blessing, and one of those blessings is the fact that God ... "hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him ..." (Ephesians 1:4)
That we should be holy ... Paul states this is the reason or objective for which God has chosen his people. It is not merely that they should enter into heaven. It is not that they may live anyway they please. It is the design and purpose of the doctrine of Christ to make people holy, and without blame ... period.
The objects of God's love were not chosen because they were holy; they were just the opposite ... but that they might be made holy by His Spirit and live holy in this life without blame.
To be "righteous" is a gift from God through Jesus. To be "holy" is a lifestyle. It is how you live out your faith in Jesus. It's not that you can't or won't sin anymore ... we all do. But it's the effort we make walking each day with the Lord's help. And ... it is expected.
Romans 12:1 ... "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Paul wrote a letter to a young believer named Timothy, instructing him in the Christian life. One of the things Paul told him was that all believers should continue in the Jewish custom of raising their hands in prayer.
1st Timothy 2:8 ... "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
The word holy used here is "hosios" (pronounced hos'-ee-os) and means simply ... right. So I take that to mean that our hands have been washed from the stains of our old sinful lifestyle and are now clean and made holy in the sight of God.
So then ... lifting up holy hands, or hands made right by Jesus ... was to lift up or spread out their arms and hands when in prayer. It is the act of request in an effort to embrace the assistance requested.
The Apostle Paul probably alludes to the old Jewish custom of laying their hands on the head of the sacrificial animal they would bring for a sin offering, confessing their sins, and then giving the life of the animal as an atonement for their sin.
This example shows us how Christians should pray. They should come before God, humble themselves for their sins and bring their sacrifice ... Jesus the Lamb of God. The only way believers today can lay their hands on the head of their sacrifice, is to raise them by faith to Jesus, as a sign of surrender unto God.
The lifting up of our hands also aids in the worship of God.
Revelation 15:4 ... "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy."
Yes, God looks upon us as holy ... but only because of Jesus. Yes, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sin. Yes, we are made righteous in Christ. But even so ... we will never attain to or become equal to the Holiness of God Himself, which is why John writes ...
"For thou only art holy."
Even so, God said ... "Be ye holy; for I am holy."
Comments welcome.
A healthy fear of almighty God can be a good thing. But today, having been set free from the Law by faith in Jesus' death on the cross and by the grace which we have been given ... has in fact created another problem. And that is, it seems as if the Christian church today has forgotten that God is a Holy God.
While it is true that Jesus Himself has called us ... "friends" ... He still is just as Holy as He was in the Old Testament. God can never be less then He is. He is holy, we aren't. And we never will be, at least not of ourselves. Any "Holiness" we might profess to have, is like our "righteousness" ... it's not ours, it's His. His righteousness is a gift freely bestowed on us that allows us to stand in the presence of God as if we have His Holiness.
We need to look at what the word "Holy" really means if we are to understand God's holiness. The English dictionary defines holy as ... "something dedicated or consecrated to God; or a person who is morally and spiritually excellent."
Well, that is right as far as it goes, but that's still a little shallow ... there's more.
The First Epistle of Peter is addressed to believers, reminding us of the blessings which God has already bestowed on us through Jesus ... and gives the reason that as obedient children we should live a holy life before God.
1st Peter 1:15-16 ... "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (behavior); Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
God has implanted principles of holiness in us, otherwise the command ... "be ye holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44) would be unjust. The foundation of the command is this; that the Israelites professed to be His people, and that as His people they ought to be like their God ... holy. And so should we.
Since man hasn't changed, nor has God ... don't you think this declared will of God should be passed on to the believers of Jesus? Peter thought so. Because Jesus, the object of Christian worship is holy, the character of His worshipers should also be holy.
Although our personal holiness, as becoming equal to God's, will never be attained to by fallen man, it is still a desirable goal to continue the quest for such holiness as far as we are capable of attaining.
The word that Peter uses for Holy, as well as most of the other writers that are translated from the original manuscripts, is "hagios" (pronounced hag'-ee-os) and means ... an awful thing ... fearful, sacred, pure and blameless.
This is why it says in Hebrews 10:31 ... "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
The term, "a fearful thing" means ... frightful, (that is objectively: formidable, fearful, and terrible.) Almighty God wasn't fearful to man until he sinned. But in our fallen state we recognize that He is "Holy" and that type of holiness is fearful to man.
Jesus said this about fearing (or respecting) God in Luke 12:4-5 ... "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."
Jesus was speaking to the general population, those who came to hear Him teach or perform miracles of healing. All those who believed in who He was, came to love Him without any fear of judgment or of being turned away.
In the Apostle Paul's opening remarks in his letter to the Ephesian Church, he states that God has already blessed us with all spiritual blessing, and one of those blessings is the fact that God ... "hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him ..." (Ephesians 1:4)
That we should be holy ... Paul states this is the reason or objective for which God has chosen his people. It is not merely that they should enter into heaven. It is not that they may live anyway they please. It is the design and purpose of the doctrine of Christ to make people holy, and without blame ... period.
The objects of God's love were not chosen because they were holy; they were just the opposite ... but that they might be made holy by His Spirit and live holy in this life without blame.
To be "righteous" is a gift from God through Jesus. To be "holy" is a lifestyle. It is how you live out your faith in Jesus. It's not that you can't or won't sin anymore ... we all do. But it's the effort we make walking each day with the Lord's help. And ... it is expected.
Romans 12:1 ... "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Paul wrote a letter to a young believer named Timothy, instructing him in the Christian life. One of the things Paul told him was that all believers should continue in the Jewish custom of raising their hands in prayer.
1st Timothy 2:8 ... "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
The word holy used here is "hosios" (pronounced hos'-ee-os) and means simply ... right. So I take that to mean that our hands have been washed from the stains of our old sinful lifestyle and are now clean and made holy in the sight of God.
So then ... lifting up holy hands, or hands made right by Jesus ... was to lift up or spread out their arms and hands when in prayer. It is the act of request in an effort to embrace the assistance requested.
The Apostle Paul probably alludes to the old Jewish custom of laying their hands on the head of the sacrificial animal they would bring for a sin offering, confessing their sins, and then giving the life of the animal as an atonement for their sin.
This example shows us how Christians should pray. They should come before God, humble themselves for their sins and bring their sacrifice ... Jesus the Lamb of God. The only way believers today can lay their hands on the head of their sacrifice, is to raise them by faith to Jesus, as a sign of surrender unto God.
The lifting up of our hands also aids in the worship of God.
Revelation 15:4 ... "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy."
Yes, God looks upon us as holy ... but only because of Jesus. Yes, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sin. Yes, we are made righteous in Christ. But even so ... we will never attain to or become equal to the Holiness of God Himself, which is why John writes ...
"For thou only art holy."
Even so, God said ... "Be ye holy; for I am holy."
Comments welcome.
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