“Strive for peace with all men,
and for holiness without which no one will see
God.” Heb. 12:14
Holiness is not a popular subject
in America. And that is tragic especially because striving for holiness is
essential to prayer. David said, “If I regard sin in my heart the Lord will not
hear my prayer.” (Psalm 66:18)
We are so little acquainted with
the concept of holiness that we hardly know how to define it. In fact I find it
easier to say what is unholy than to tell people what holiness specifically is. Because this
is such an important subject, I want to take three blog entries to discuss a
little of what the Bible says about holiness. I am aware that this is a
difficult subject to deal with in these days. And I want to encourage you to
respond to what I have written. I welcome serious discussion on this issue.
HOLINESS IS ULTIMATE
RIGHTEOUSNESS.
We try very hard not to be
legalists. And we are not saved by trying to keep the law. But do we miss the
importance of righteousness? In Matthew 5, the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the
Mount, Jesus told us He had not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. And
He points out how the prevailing interpretation of the law was not strict
enough. You have heard, “Do not murder.” I say you will be judged as a murderer
if you hate. You have heard “Don’t commit adultery.” I tell you that lust is
the same sin.” And how do we explain to people what Jesus taught about divorce?
We treat sin lightly, but Jesus is serious about sin. Are we no longer teaching
people that everything is best when we are right with God?
This is a very important subject. This is not just a matter of our understanding or our righteousness. It is a matter of apologetics. The idea of God's love has been elevated to such a point it is now used as a core essence of how 21st Century people view God. Many people, such as Rob Bell, are using the idea that a loving God would not do such and such. Many unbelievers are using this argumentation methodology to refute the idea of hell, judgment, and even prohibition of same sex marriages.
ReplyDeleteThis may be hard for some to accept, "We do not serve a loving God, rather we serve a holy God that loves us." This may seem like splitting hairs to some but I assure you God loves us not as many unbelievers try to push but God's love is a combination of grace and mercy that comes from God's holiness.