Knowing the Father's and Son's Holiness, So We Can Walk in Holiness

    As we continue our study of holiness I would like to share with you some scriptures to think on, scriptures that describe God’s holiness and the holiness of His Son Jesus Christ.

    In Exodus 15, Moses sings praise to the LORD after He "saved them out of the hand of the Egyptians;" look at how Moses describes God in these selected phrases:

“I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously!” (v.1b)

“Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power…” (v.6)

“Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (v.11)

    Glorious means to be great, magnificent, and honourable. It means that what has been exhibited is worthy of receiving great amounts of glory and honour.

    God is glorious in power and glorious in holiness! His power and holiness are so magnificent, they are worthy of ALL honour, glory and praise! Consider this while you read Psalm 145:1-13.

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power…” (Revelation 4:11)

In similar fashion, Jesus is also proclaimed worthy in Revelation 5:12:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessing!”

    Jesus is described as “holy, innocent, undefiled, and separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). He is further described as “He who is holy, He who is true” in Revelations 3:7a

    We are to be holy in all our conduct just as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15). Jesus left us an example to follow that we should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21-24). So if we wear His name (“Christian”) we must always remember “he who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:6)

    Think on these things today! Determine to walk in holiness just as Jesus did, to be holy as God is holy! Praise God and give Him the glory He is SO worthy of!! 

"Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Give to the LORD glory and strength.
Give to the LORD the glory due HIs name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!"
(1 Chronicles 16:28-29 NKJV)

You can do it! So can I!!

Holy, So We Can Be Presented Blameless

“And you, who were once alienated and enemies 

in your mind by wicked works, 

yet now He has reconciled 

in the body of His flesh through death, 
to present you holy, and blameless, 
and above reproach in His sight 
– if indeed you continue in the faith, 
grounded and steadfast, 
and are not moved away 
from the hope of the gospel 
which you heard, which was preached 
to every creature under heaven, 
of which I, Paul, became a minister.” 
(Colossians 1:21-23 NKJV)

    This is a beautiful passage showing that God was/is pleased that persons can be reconciled to Him (brought to peace again) because of Jesus’ sacrifice. We, because of our selfish thoughts and bad choices, alienated/removed ourselves from Him – our sin separated us from our God (Isaiah 59:1-2), but Jesus’ death on the cross, His shed blood allowed us to be reconciled to God (Ephesians 1:7, 2:14-17)!

    God the Father and Jesus the Son want you to continue in the faith, to "press toward the goal" (Philippians 3:12-15)! They desire for you to keep digging in, through study and application, so that you are grounded and steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58, Hebrews 5:13-14)! They do not want you to be moved away from the hope of the gospel (Galatians 5:9, Hebrews 6:17-20)!

    Why?

    Because Jesus wants to present you INNOCENT of wrong doing; PURE and SET APART for God!!

    Is knowing that Jesus loved you enough to suffer and die for you so that you could return in peace to His Father enough to motivate you to be holy in all your conduct?

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, 
a worker who does not need to be ashamed, 
rightly dividing the word of truth.” 
(1 Timothy 2:15 NKJV)

You can do it! So can I!!

    Good Morning! This week we are taking a closer look at holiness being linked with blamelessness in the New Testament.

    Please read and consider this passage: 

“…may the Lord make you increase and abound in love

 to one another and to all… that He may establish your 

hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father 

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” 

(1 Thessalonians 3:13-14, NKJV)

    Paul’s prayer for the church in Thessalonica was that they would maintain their faith (3:1-10) and that God would make them increase and abound in love.

    In 2 Corinthians 9:8 we can read that “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work.”

    God can give an increase in all things. Through obedience of His commands – doing it His way – we can increase our love towards others because He instructs us to love and esteem others (Matthew 22:36-40, Romans 12:9-10, Galatians 6:10, Philippians 2:1-4).

    Paul asked for this increase so that God could establish their hearts blameless in holiness, which basically means blameless in blamelessness. Sounds a lot like the phrase: “without spot or blemish,” doesn’t it?

    The Aramaic Bible in Plain English reads: “…establish your hearts without a fault in holiness before God Our Father.”

    Holiness is a vital topic. It is an attribute we absolutely must strive for and maintain in our lives - “without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

    We simply must continue to grow and develop as a Christian! It is necessary that we increase in all areas – faith/trust, love, holiness, and hope. We cannot be satisfied with what we think we have already attained, or rest on the self-given laurels of what we did at the “peak” of our zeal, which, for some, may have been long years past.   

    Let God make you increase and abound in love so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness!

You can do it! So can I!!

Holy and Blameless

    We have learned that holy/holiness means to be physically pure (no immorality), morally blameless (cannot be accused of any wrong doing because of good/proper behaviour), sacred, and set apart. It means we are less like the world and more like God, as we strive to conform to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

    I have found blamelessness is linked with holiness in several passages in the New Testament, so as our study continues, as God wills, we will look at these passages one by one.

“…He chose us in Him 

before the foundation 

of the world that 

we should be holy 

and without blame 

before Him in love…” 

(Ephesians 1:4 NKJV)

    Before the foundations of the earth, before creation ever took place, God desired that there would be a people who should be holy and without blame before Him, a people whom He would bless while they humbly obey and faithfully serve Him, and after death He would, by His grace, give them the ultimate reward: eternal life in heaven.

    God planned ALL of this from before the beginning.

    And please note that the verse does not say “that we might be holy and without blame” but “that we should be holy and without blame.” God commands it, He requires it (1 Peter 1:13-16).

“Pursue peace with 

all people and holiness, 

without which no one 

will see the Lord.” 

(Hebrews 12:14 NKJV) 

    Do you appreciate all God has done for you? Be holy and without blame before Him in love. Pursue holiness. Live a moral life so that you are above blame or accusation. Let your love and appreciation for God motivate you to live properly before Him!!

You can do it! So can I!!

Be Holy In All Your Conduct - At Work/School

Before we begin. let's do a quick review:

• In your marriage you faithfully honour your vows, and you love and respect your husband as head of your family. You don’t allow even a hint of immorality to taint your relationship (Ephesians 5:3)
• As parents you exhibit physical purity and moral uprightness to your children. You set boundaries on media, behaviours, and words. You guide your children toward God, through His word and through prayer, seeking Him first in all things (Ephesians 6:1-4). You keep trying (Galatians 6:9)!
• While online you remember first and foremost, that you wear the name Christian. You are not to look like the rest of the world (Psalm 101:3a, Romans 12:2), but rather be a beacon showing the way to God, shining your light for Him at all times (Matthew 5:16).

    Today, as we continue our study of being holy in all our conduct let's consider 'Holiness in the Workplace/School'

    It's easy to be a Christian at church services or bible studies, but it’s harder when you are surrounded by people who challenge your beliefs and/or make fun of you for living to a higher standard.

    Whether you are at school for 6-8 hours each day or at work for 8-12+ hours, you can face the same difficulties. Where students have peers, teachers, and principals/presidents, employees have co-workers, bosses, and supervisors.  So, how can you be holy in all your conduct at school or work?

“Exhort bondservants* to be obedient 

to their own masters, to be well pleasing 

in all things, not answering back, 

not thieving, but showing all good honesty, 

that they may adorn the doctrine 

of God our Saviour in all things.” 

(Titus 2:9-10 NKJV)

*a bondservant is someone who chooses to stay; chooses
to work. Sounds like a modern-day “employee”, eh?

    Now, consider this, employees are to avoid doing those bad things and instead do good things – why? – that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 

    The word “adorn” comes from a Greek word meaning, ‘to trim (a wick on) a candle’. Trimming a wick allows the fuel to be used efficiently; allowing the flame to burn bright with minimal soot left behind!

    Hmmmm, Matthew 5:14-16 and Romans 12:2 are coming to mind now!

    We are human, we will make mistakes, we will create a bit of soot, but when we keep our wicks trimmed (maintain holiness) by serving God first and foremost, we will quickly make up for our mistakes by continuing to be the best employees we can be  - all the while burning bright for God! We will exhibit God’s higher standard, we will prove what is His good, acceptable and perfect will!

Some things for students and employees to remember:

• Listen to/obey your boss/teacher, yes, even the mean ones (1 Peter 2:18-21, Ephesians 6:5)
• Work honestly, not just when the boss/teacher is around (Ephesians 6:5-8, Colossians 3:22)
• Don’t “steal” time from your employer by being lazy (Titus2:9-10, 3:1, Proverbs 14:23)
• Be honest. Conduct yourself with integrity and uprightness (Titus 2:9-10, Colossians 3:23-24)
• Go the extra mile (Matthew 5:38-42, Colossians 3:23)
• Be kind. Be humble. We used to behave badly too, but now we know better (Titus 3:1-8)
• You’re not here to serve yourself, you are here to serve God (Colossians 3:17, 23-24)
• Stop complaining, just do the work that is required (Philippians 2:14-15, 1 Peter 2:18-21)
• Don’t involve yourself in gossip, flirting, or coarse joking (Ephesians 5:1-7, Proverbs 11:9, 16:28)
• Be quick to forgive offenses (Proverbs 19:11, Colossians 3:12-14, Matthew 5:44-48)
• Shine your light, that God may be glorified (Matthew 5:16)
• It’s not going to be easy, but it is worth it! (1 Peter 4:1-4, John 15:18-19, 1 Corinthians 4:17)

“I beseech you therefore brethren, 
by the mercies of God, that you 
present your bodies a living sacrifice, 
holy, acceptable to God, 
which is your reasonable service." 
(Romans 12:1 NKJV)

Be Holy In All Your Conduct Online

    A few years ago, my daughter competed in the big school board-wide track & field event. She was given a sports jersey to wear with her school’s name emblazoned across the front of it.  The staff and students of her school expected her to do her best, compete fairly, and exhibit good sportsmanship because she was representing them; her behaviour and her words, good or bad, reflect on her school because of the name she wears.

    We wear a name too, every day: “Christian”

    What we say and how we behave reflects, good or bad, on the church and on God’s reputation.

    Sadly, I think we sometimes forget that when we are using social media.  

"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes..." 

(Psalm 101:3a NKJV)

    The world is at our fingertips. Social media has become the norm for everyday communication. News broadcasters use most every platform; celebrities, businesses, educators, and the average person can as well.

    As with all things, social media can be used for good and it can be used for evil.

    So, how do you remain “holy in all your conduct” while online?

    First and foremost, pay attention. Do you look like the rest of the world in your interests, likes, shares, and reactions?

    Let’s use Facebook as an example. Consider what you are about to post:

1.  Is it an angry rant? Before you post read: Ephesians 4:26, 29-31, Proverbs 22:24-25, and Colossians 3:8
2.  Is it a complaint/criticism? Before you post: please read Ephesians 4:26, 29-31, Colossians 3:12-13. Forgive instead of unloading on your innocent friends.
3.  Do your words exhibit holiness?

    Look at what you are about to share… Whether it’s a meme, a video, or a post, does it include cuss words or swear words? Does it contain nudity drawn or photographic? Does it use abbreviations for swearing or for God’s name? Does the original poster’s name contain anything rude/offensive (it will appear alongside your name in the post when you share it)? Does it make fun of someone? If you answer yes to ANY of the above, don’t share it.

    Okay, maybe you’re not sharing something, maybe you are only ‘liking’ or ‘reacting’ (positively) to something someone else has shared – ask yourself the same questions, if you answer yes to any of them, please don’t like it or react positively to it. You may also want to stop and ask yourself why you find it funny or why you like it… Does it represent a follower of God? Does it reflect well on you as a Christian, or on the church?

    Many will write this off as frivolous or meaningless, but if we wear the name Christian, we represent God to everyone around us offline AND online! Are we damaging God’s reputation because we are careless about our online behaviour?

    Let’s take the time to consider that even though you may be in the privacy of your own home (or place of business, or wherever), you are likely FB friends with other members of your congregation. Is the post you share or the post you like/react to going to encourage them and/or reinforce their confidence in your holiness? Or will they become disheartened and wonder who exactly they’ve been worshiping with all these years? And what benefit are you to others who need to find God, if you look just like the rest of the world – please stop putting your light under a basket – shine appropriately for God! Make good use of the time you have and make careful decisions while using social media platforms (Ephesians 5:15-17)!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, 

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,

acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what is that good and acceptable

and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)

 

"Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved,

what manner of persons ought you to be 

in holy conduct and godliness..." 

(2 Peter 3:11 NKJV) 

 

 

 

Be Holy in All Your Conduct (Part Two)

Parenting

    So far we have learned that holy and holiness mean set apart, sacred, physically pure, and morally blameless. We have also learned that if we are not holy we will not see God (Ephesians 5:5, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). It is a vital attribute that we must be diligently achieving and maintaining.

    As we dig into what it means to be holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1:15), let’s consider our conduct in home life/parenting.

    Be an example of physical purity. Dress and behave with modesty. Don’t flirt with other men. Don’t lust after celebrities you see on screen. Don’t allow TV shows movies/videos containing immodesty (lack of clothing, fornication/adultery, lust, etc.) into your home (Ephesians 5:1-7, Colossians 3:1-5). How about soap operas? They are all kinds of sin wrapped and twisted around a completely unbelievable yet somehow compelling story line; looking forward to them is the same as looking forward to a fresh bit of gossip (consider Psalm 119:37). Exhibit self-control by avoiding harmful things like alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or excessive eating (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

    Be morally blameless. Paul wrote to Titus and gave him this instruction: “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” (Titus 2:6-8). Paul gave this instruction to a preacher but what if we, as Christian parents, lived to the same standard? You can and should – it is what God asks of us when He commands, “Be holy for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

    Being morally blameless does not mean you are consistently perfect, it means that you live in such a way that one cannot find fault in your words or your conduct. You are not hypocritical, you live with honesty and integrity, honouring God’s word by humbly making every effort to obey it.

    It means:

• You put God first and foremost in your life  (1 Peter 4:1-2)

• You read and obey God’s word, because you find council, instruction, and hope there (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

• When you make a mistake/sin, you apologize and ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

• You quickly make the necessary changes so you do not repeat the mistake/sin (Psalm 119:59-60).

• When you are concerned, you pray (Philippians 4:6-7, give your worries to God so you can share your courage with others).

• When you are wronged, you forgive and show mercy (Matthew 5:38-45).

• When someone is hurt, you are compassionate (Luke 10:25-37).

• When you are happy, you praise! (Psalms – all of them! Also consider Mary in Luke 1:45ff and Zacharias in Luke 1:68ff) 

     I just recently began reading this book and I feel this excerpt is appropriate for today's study. Please, in light of what we have studied, consider these thoughts from Harriet Martineau's book, Household Education (published 1849):

    "It is a common saying that every child thinks his father the wisest man in the world. This is very natural; as parents are the children's fountains of knowledge. To them their children come for anything they want to know: and by them they are generally satisfied. But every wise parent has occasion to say, now and then-- "I do not know, my dear." The surprise of the child on first hearing that there is anything that his parents do not know fixes the fact in his mind. When he has once discovered that his parents have something more to learn, he becomes aware--and this also ought to be fixed in his mind--that their education is not finished; and that it is their business, as it is his, to learn something more every day, as long as they live. So much for knowledge. The case ought to be as clear to him in regard to goodness. It is not enough that in church he hears that all men and women are sinners; and that in prayers at home he hears his parents pray that they may become more worthy of the goodness of God, and more like the Christ who is set before them. These things may set him thinking; but there will be, or ought to be, more light every day to clear up his ideas. The same parents who honestly own to their child that they are ignorant of things about which he questions them will own to him that they are not nearly so good as they wish to be. Thus the truth opened to the feeblest and smallest mind that education has still to go on, even when people are so inconceivably old as children are apt to think their parents.

    To us, grown up to this mighty age, there can be no doubt on such a point. We know very well that we are all, through the whole range of society, like a set of ignorant and wayward children, compared with what we are made capable of being."   

    Exhibit God’s qualities to your children! Let your children see you serve God each and every day, through trials and triumphs, through mistakes and growth; let them see God’s love, and your love for God! Let your children see and learn from you what it means to be "holy in all your conduct!"

 

"He has shown you, O man, what is good;

and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justly, to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with your God...."

(Micah 6:8 NKJV)  

 

You can do it! So can I!!