THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS

Time with Jesus - 6 Dec 2013

Hi all,

The e-Toll Highway of Un-holiness

Whether you or I approve the new e-tag and toll system in RSA, doesn’t seem to matter. SANRAL and the ANC have decided that it will go ahead. Indeed, as I write this message, the e-toll system is in place. Many people have stated that they are not prepared to pay these tolls. It is a sort of civil disobedience, not seen in our country since the late 1980’s. 

You may recall how the people in the townships refused to pay rates, lights and water. This went on for many years and there may be places where these charges are still not paid.

It remains to be seen what will happen if the vast majority of South Africans refuses to pay. In the end the system would fall apart and be cancelled. But will it happen? In addition, what is the Christian response to paying these tolls? 

Some say that it is our duty to obey the laws of the land. It follows that we should pay these tolls. But is it as simple as that? I’m not sure. If we bear in mind that in a democracy, government is elected on the basis of a majority vote by the people. What happens when the vast majority say the law is wrong? Christians also have a responsibility of taking a stand for what is right.

Perhaps the best illustration of this is the fact that in the 1800’s, women and children worked in the coal mines of Britain under very dangerous conditions. At that time, the law permitted this. The laws were gradually changed as more and more people objected to this form of abuse. The action taken by ordinary people was not always completely legal. In the end, the law was changed. It was much the same with the abolition of slavery. In the end, the UK government paid 20 million pounds to slave owners to free their slaves. In terms of today’s money it must be in the order of several billion pounds.

What about you? Have you decided to pay, or to refuse to pay? I don’t plan on paying. However, for me the question is a bit unfair. Phyllida and I don’t use the highways all that much. As pensioners, there is no need for us to travel on the highways very often. So it won’t affect us that much. Not directly anyway. What will happen is the poor will be greatly affected. No doubt businesses will pass on the cost of the tolls by increasing their prices. If I was a business owner, I suspect doing so would be automatic. It isn’t rocket science to know that prices will increase sharply. It seems, the government doesn’t care.

The Highway of Holiness:

Matthew Henry’s comment on this Highway is as follows: Judea was prosperous in the days of Hezekiah, but the kingdom of Christ is the great subject intended. Converting grace makes the soul that was a wilderness, to rejoice with joy and singing, and to blossom abundantly. The feeble and faint-hearted are encouraged. This is the design of the gospel.

Assuming his interpretation is correct, Isaiah was referring to a time in the future in the Kingdom of God; a time that continues to be future for you and me. 

The Scripture states: ⁸ And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God's ways; fools will never walk there. ⁹ Lions will not lurk along its course, nor any other ferocious beasts. There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it. Isa 35:8-9 NLT

An examination of the Scripture suggests Matthew Henry’s interpretation was correct. Since the days of Isaiah, such a Highway has not yet been constructed. Certainly, the Romans didn’t do so. They are probably the only occupying force that might have attempted to build such a road. However, even if they had done so, it could not have been as safe as the one described by Isaiah. Furthermore, only in God’s Kingdom will it be possible for only the redeemed to walk on it.

Today, we take good roads for granted. But in the ancient world, a good road - a highway - was an amazing blessing for travel, progress, and business. Isaiah announced that in the ministry of the Messiah, there will be a wonderful highway, a road, known as the Highway of Holiness. Also, it is thought that our English translations literally says: “a high-way.” It speaks of a raised road, lifted above the ground. It is a high, glorious road to travel on!

The construction of this Highway of Holiness would be the greatest engineering feat ever accomplished. Spurgeon commented, “Engineering has done much to tunnel through mountains and bridge abysses; but the greatest triumph of engineering is that which made a way from sin to holiness; from death to life, from condemnation to perfection. Who could make a road over the mountains of our iniquities but Almighty God? None but the Lord of love would have wished it; none but the God of wisdom could have devised it; none but the God of power could have carried it out.”

The unclean shall not pass over it: This highway isn’t for everyone. It has a “toll booth,” but you can’t make it on this highway by paying your way. You are only allowed on this highway if you are cleansed by the great work of the Messiah. When we remain on God’s Highway of Holiness, even though His work in us isn’t complete yet - we may still be in some ways a fool - yet we are safe because we are on His highway! 

There are guardrails on the dangerous curves, and He keeps us from falling off as He develops the wisdom and maturity in us that will also keep us on the highway. (Courtesy Enduring Word Media)

This should be our objective.

Shalom

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 6 Dec 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	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					©
INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS
One of my late father’s favourite expressions was, “He is a bigger liar than Tom Pepper”. Be that as it may, the question remains, “Who was Tom Pepper”? It is thought his name originates from Naval Expressions (Nelson’s time), who, according to nautical tradition, was kicked out of hell for being a bigger liar than His Satanic Majesty! The term is mentioned by J. A. Gardner in his "Recollections," and appears to have been in use in 1787." If this is the case, believe it or not, I’ve worked with one of his offspring. Sadly, during my sojourn through this life I’ve come across many of them in English speaking Christianity. They may still have one or two tricks to learn from their antecedents but they are making great strides to be another Tom Pepper. Now I certainly don’t want to pretend to be free from lies myself. A better expression may be “economic with truth”. What bothers me is that in the Book of Revelation we are told: 8 But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars--their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:8 NLT. Now I don’t pretend to be an expert in interpreting Revelation. But when I read this portion of Scripture, I am drawn to the conclusion, the people cast into the lake of fire, included Christians and non-Christians. So, if you are one of those included in terms of this passage, the fact that you made a commitment to Jesus Christ 20 years ago is irrelevant. The essence of this really is where does the “work” of God cease and the “work” of man begin. Extreme Calvinists will tell you that everything has been predestined. So if God chose to save me, I am saved whether I want it or not. Mankind has no influence on the decision. It’s God’s will and is irresistible. At the other end of the scale, we have some believers who believe that they are saved by baptism. From then on, we must live a sin free life. But logic tells us you cannot love God or anyone else by command. Love can only be love if it comes voluntarily from the heart. Furthermore, God could have made robots to do that. He didn’t. He gave us freedom of choice. Freedom of choice must therefore be inviolable. He has given it and He will not change it at all in any way. You cannot predestine freedom of choice. That would not be freedom at all. As the Divine Omniscient God, He knows what I will choose. But He will not “make me” do it. I like to explain the difference in terms of giving money to God. I can do so because He commands it. But if He touches me such that I want to express my love for Him, my hand will go into my pocket and give Him all I possess. Not because I have to, but because I want to express my love for Him truthfully. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:5 ESV	It’s all about our holiness and how we have behaved. It’s all about our thought life and the things for which we’ve craved. It’s all about our attitude and how we glorify, The King of Kings eternal; and how we magnify, The only One Who matters. The only One Who cares. The only One Who loves us and listens to our prayers. This is the truth You’ve taught us, on which we can rely. From before time started, ‘til eternity’s passed by. Your Word says that You knew us before we had been born. That from Your loving fingers, we never can be torn. Such absolute security! Above what we can think. You are the source of everything. You are our food and drink! The Captain of Salvation who came and looked for me When I was more disgusting than anyone can be. Why did you even bother? Why should you care at all? The God of all infinity! To love someone so small That an electron microscope would never spot a thing! And You say I am sheltered ‘neath the shadow of Your wing. You sent to us Your Spirit. He took us by the hand, To lead us and to guide us, into Your Promised Land. The One Who breathed the Scriptures into the minds of men. Who watches us and steers us, in ways beyond our ken! The One Who gives instruction and points the way to go. The only One, by Whom Your truth, each one of us may know! The “author” of the “Handbook” by which we all must live And even when we “miss it” You say that You forgive. What sort of Being is this? Perfect in every way! And yet You dwell with sinful men who long to disobey! O Lord, How do You do it! I’m sure I’d flee the scene, If I was with a person half as bad as I have been. But You keep persevering and getting us equipped. When we would all have given up and some of us had “flipped”! And later, on reflection, we see how we have grown. In spite of all the wild oats each one of us have sown. So lead us to that Highway where Holiness abounds. Where sin is swiftly banished and righteousness is found. Help us Lord to get there and from it never stray. And all of our ambitions are focused on Your way! Jim Strickland Written 6th December 2012
			13 But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. John 16:13 MSG
			20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you His Spirit, and all of you know the truth. 1 John 2:20 NLT
			20 They should go to the teachings and to the written instructions. If people don't speak these words, it is because it doesn't dawn on them. Isaiah 8:20 GW
			15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 NLT
			8 The LORD says, "I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you. Psalms 32:8 GW
			22 "Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. Matthew 6:22 NLT
			17 Those who want to follow the will of God will know if what I teach is from God or if I teach my own thoughts. John 7:17 GW
			8 And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. Isaiah 35:8 ESV