THE CALL TO HOLINESS

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			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE CALL TO HOLINESS
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			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	"'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