Monthly Archives: June 2009
Salvation is to holiness.
Salvation is not only ‘from’ sin, but ‘to’ holiness. In other words, it is not simply a negative exercise. The Bible talks about being ‘saved to the uttermost’, but very often preachers interpret that as though it meant ‘from the guttermost’. We are saved for a purpose, a destiny: and that destiny is holiness.
It is a sobering thought that we are as holy as we want to be, no more and no less. I do not believe that there is a ‘package deal’ in holiness, to be received once and for all, perhaps at a convention, and then forgotten. Holiness is a moment by moment relationship with God, not a static thing.
Nevertheless, I know that there are occasions when one has been filled with the Spirit and holiness no longer seems an unattainable, distant ideal, but a present reality. At such times one has known that it is possible not to sin; indeed, it would be impossible, so real and intense is the presence of God. It is God’s will that should become our normal, day-by-day experience.
Holiness is not the same as happiness. In fact, sometimes unhappy experiences can lead us into happiness. Sometimes he chastises us to lead us into holiness. Sickness, pain, disappointment may do for us what prosperity and ease can never achieve, and help to make us holy.
Holiness (Necessary for Salvation)
Exodus 15:11
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Exodus 28:36
And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
1 Chronicles 16:29
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
2 Chronicles 20:21
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalms 30:4
Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Psalms 93:5
Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
Romans 6:22
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Ephesians 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Cleansing through Justification, Sanctification and Glorification.
My brother, knowing how only gives one instructions, knowing why gives one a conviction of determination (firmness of purpose), knowing the outcome of the how and why gives one victory.
Why?
Read: 2 Chronicles 7:13-16
Listen my brother; we are living in a time where we are not receiving the full manifested power of God in our lives or ministry. Simply, because of the power we allow money, church and men to have over us.
Read: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Understanding who we are and who dwells within us, should peak a fear of the Lord. We know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
How?
Read: Mark 9:29 & Daniel 9:3
Knowing there are situations and circumstances in this life that are only removed or made endurable by prayer and fasting. However, I am not required to put on sackcloth and ashes, which were a display of extreme remorse and the darkness of sin.
Nevertheless, I am required to have:
1. Salvation from the Penalty of Sin (Justification) which is an instantaneous, past act of God by which one is saved from the quilt of sin. Frees me to be cleansed!
2. Salvation from the Power of Sin (Sanctification) unlike justification; sanctification is not an act of God declaring us righteous; rather, it is a continual process in the present (now) by which God is making us righteous (holy). Gives me the power to be cleansed!
3. Salvation from the Presence of Sin (Glorification) unlike justification and sanctification; glorification is the future act that will save us from the very presence of sin. Gives me the assurance that I’m cleansed!
It’s God time! Turn off the television; turn off the radio, iPod, and the video games; reach for God like you never reached for Him before. Allow the Holy Spirit to enter your thoughts.
Outcome!!!!!
Read: 1 Peter 1:22, 2 Timothy 2:22 & Hebrews 10:22
Now I can draw near to God with a pure heart; now I can pray for others to be loosed; now I have the power to blind the enemy; now “Intercessory Prayer” becomes who I am, my lifestyle; now I am snatching the would be saved off the fence into eternal salvation; now I am reaching the un-saved and walking them into eternal salvation. A Disciple of Christ willing to be obedience and follow Jesus!
Question, are we called into salvation to become prosperous in public for viewing or are we called into salvation to become holy in private to make a public impact?
What Are You Becoming?
“The gods we worship write their names on our faces, be sure of that. And a person will worship something, have no doubt about that either. One may think tribute is paid in secret, in the dark recesses of his or her heart, but it is not. That which dominates imagination and thoughts will determine life and character. Therefore it behooves us to be careful what we are worshipping, for what we are worshipping we are becoming.”
For a while we may appear to defy gravity by juggling our secret inner imagination and thoughts with our external world of studied conformity to accepted norms. In fact, some of us should get an Oscar for our acting ability!
God cautions us however, that sooner or later, the truth will emerge: “You may be sure that your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23)
Either:
God will expose our deepest secrets:
“What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” (Luke 12:3)
Or we will come to a point where we will tire of acting. It is then that the true life and character that has dominated our thoughts and imagination will bubble to the surface for all to see.
Perhaps that is why some older people are so unpleasant to be around. Having grown weary of acting in an “acceptable” manner, they are now reaping what they have sown these many years by allowing their true inner imagination and thoughts to find expression.
“Don’t be under any illusion: You cannot make a fool of God! A man’s harvest in life will depend entirely on what he sows. If he sows for his own lower nature his harvest will be the decay and death of his own nature. If he sows for the Spirit he will reap the harvest of everlasting life by that Spirit.” (Galatians 6:7, 8 – Phillips Translation)
QUESTION: Just what is it that dominates your imagination and thoughts? Are you pleased with the fact that you are in the process of becoming what you have been thinking and dreaming about?
Salvation is with assurance.
It is God’s will that you should know you are his. When people ask ‘Are you saved?’ he does not expect his children to answer, ‘I hope so’, ‘I’m trying’ or I’d like to think I am.’ He wants us to be sure of it, not with arrogance but with faith; not sure of ourselves, but sure of him and his promises.
This assurance comes through his word of promise at first, but it also, and perhaps more profoundly, comes from our consciences, as they begin to assure us that at last we are free of this destructive thing called sin, that there is a charge in our manner of life, and that we are children of God. Above all God wants to plant in our hearts the power of his Holy Spirit. It is by this gift that his children can call him ‘Father.’ After all, it is the birthright of children, and he intends it for us.
There are people who believe in God and trust in Christ. Through faith they have received the grace of salvation. But they still lack assurance. They worry and fret about their standing before God, and so their testimony is weakened. For such people the great need is to ask God to take them one step further, to pour his Holy Spirit into their hearts to bear witness to the fact that they are children of God, bound for heaven.
Assurance (Necessary for Salvation)
Deuteronomy 28:66
And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:
Isaiah 32:17
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Acts 17:31
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
1 Thessalonians 1:5
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
Hebrews 6:11
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
Hebrews 10:9
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
