Time with Jesus - Thursday, 26 July
2012
Hi all,
Today’s meditation is about
holiness. We are told by the author of Hebrews, 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living
a holy life, for those who are not holy will
not see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NLT It’s
a tough call according to some thinking. The question is whether or not you are
trying and know what you’re looking for.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Thursday, 26 July 2012
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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©
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These
devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright
protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it
is for non-commercial Christian purposes
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©
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY
LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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THE
CALL TO HOLINESS
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Holiness. What exactly
is it? How do I know I’m holy? Or, more importantly, how do I know when I’m
not being holy. Not so very long ago, holiness meant keeping a number of
rules dictated by the Pastor and his elders. It was particularly bad for the
ladies. If they looked attractive and used make-up, they were definitely not
holy. Chin high collars, calf length dresses, wearing hats to church and
doing everything their husbands said instantly and without question; then they
were definitely holy! Two words describe them. Drab and dowdy. How they would
ever find a man who wanted to marry them, was irrelevant. Better to live in a
convent, than sin by looking beautiful! Not only was sex a no-no, it was
reserved exclusively for having children. Any lady who enjoyed it was a
candidate for hell fire and damnation.
It wasn’t quite as
difficult for the men. They were allowed to look good. But dancing was out,
So was going to the movies, looking at “girly” pictures, kissing a girl or drinking
any form of alcohol. Smoking was anathema. If they had a “date” with a young
woman, there was always a chaperone.
Much of this was a
carry-over from UK in the Victorian era. Yet that era was one of the most
licentious, immoral and cruel in history. In the UK it was the time of the
industrial revolution. Little children of 5 worked down in the mines opening
and closing gates for the miners. 12 hours per day was not unusual. Women
crawled on hands and knees through the mine tunnels pulling coal trucks. At
the same time, church society promoted the sort of “holiness” mentioned
above. How you equate these two types of living is beyond me.
So, what is holiness?
Two “aspects” immediately spring to mind. One is moral, sinless perfection.
Of course this describes God. No one except Jesus Christ has ever succeeded
in living such a life. The Jewish Pharisees of Jesus’ day certainly tried
their best to do so. They failed just as many others have failed. No mistakes
were permitted. No sin allowed. Anyone want to try? Those who attempt it often
become the most self-righteous men possible. Of course women could never get
to “heaven”, This was because for two weeks during her monthly cycle, she was
considered to be ritually unclean!
The second “aspect” is
to be completely set apart for an exclusive purpose. An insightful example
for us is our toothbrush. My toothbrush is “holy” to me. As far as I know, no
one uses it except me. Most of us would be horrified by the thought of a
guest wandering into the bathroom and using their toothbrush. I know that
occasionally a husband and wife may make use of their partner’s toothbrush.
But it would be the exception rather than the rule. From this we see that
holiness means “for the exclusive use” of someone or something. In my case I
do my very best to keep myself for the exclusive use of the Lord. Do I always
succeed? Not always. But certainly I do my best to make sure I do. I don’t
want to be used by Satan and his cohorts. You could say in this respect I’m
“holy” to the Lord. To the best of my knowledge, you too can be “holy” to the
Lord. “For His exclusive use”. Note the complete “lack” of “rules”. It’s not
a question of not doing this or that. Instead it’s an attitude of being set
aside for Jesus’ exclusive use. If you do, you will find that moral
perfection is not as much a “pipe-dream” as you thought it was!
Jim &
Phyllida Strickland
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12 Find joy in the LORD, you righteous people. Give
thanks to him as you remember how holy he is.
Psalms 97:12 GW
15 Look, God does not even trust the angels. Even the heavens are not absolutely pure in His sight.
16 How much less pure is a corrupt and sinful person with a thirst
for wickedness!
Job
15:15-16 NLT
5 Why, even the moon has its flaws, even
the stars aren't perfect in God's eyes, 6 So
how much less, plain men and women-- slugs and maggots by comparison!"
Job 25:5-6 MSG
11 "Who is like you, O LORD, among the
gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious
deeds, doing wonders?
Exodus 15:11 ESV
3 And one called to another and said: "Holy,
holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his
glory!"
Isaiah 6:3 ESV
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your
former ignorance, 15 but as he who
called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for
I am holy."
1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but
He disciplines us for our good, so that we may
share His holiness.
Hebrews 12:10 NASB
17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
1 Corinthians 3:17 NLT
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of
holiness and godliness.
2 Peter 3:11 ESV
14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to
be found by him without spot or blemish,
and at peace.
2 Peter 3:14 ESV
29 Don't use foul or abusive language. Let
everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an
encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way
you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you
will be saved on the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:29-30 NLT
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"'Holiness! Yes, Holiness!', is
what you are to cry.
For it's a lack of holiness, which is the reason why,
The name of many Christians has now
become a stench;
Because they will not change their ways, they
consequently wrench,
The leading I have given them from My
directing hand;
And live a life that all can see is what the devil
planned!
But you have been appointed a shepherd
of the flock.
It's your responsibility to quietly take stock,
Of how the sheep are living and how
the pasture seems,
To ascertain the difference, 'tween vision and the
schemes,
That Satan would endeavour, to place
into their minds;
To know if what they're eating will feed, or make
them blind;
To be a flock protector and not a bird
of prey.
To keep the wolves and predators continually at bay.
For this is what I've called you to
and this is My desire.
But it is your obedience that really I require.
“The way ahead is difficult. With
danger it is fraught.
But you will find that I am there, the enemy to thwart.
Provided that you're listening and do
the things I show,
Then, step-by-step and day-by-day, you'll definitely
know,
That nothing I require of you, will
ever be too much,
Successfully to overcome. For I will be your crutch!
And as you start to lean on Me and let
Me take your weight,
The power of The Holy Ghost will clearly demonstrate,
That you are Mine. A Servant; A
Shepherd of the King;
Because I have decided, that I will do a thing,
To shake the very heavens and rattle
earth and sky.
To illustrate to everyone, just what it means to
die!
Just what I have accomplished, by
coming to the Earth,
And giving to the human race, the chance of second
birth.
But many of My people. don't seem to
care at all.
Their lives aren't changed and many have ignored My
Holy call;
And consequently, judgement is now
upon the scene;
And they will experience just what My wrath can
mean.
But even now it's possible for Me to
stay My hand.
If they will change their attitude and DO what I
command;
Diligently minister to ALL of those
I've saved,
And demonstrate repentance by the way that they
behave.
For if a sinner turns from sin, I've
promised he will live.
Regardless what a man has been, I always will
forgive.
But if the righteous turns to sin and
practice fleshly lust,
I will forget their righteous acts. For them it will
be just,
As though they never came to Me; And
all their sinful acts,
Will be restored again to them and judgement will be
fact.
I know that it sounds terrible, but
that is what must be.
If a man or woman says they want to walk with Me.
Jim
Strickland
Written 1985 |
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