How Holy?
Eternity Online: John Edmiston (Editor)
Eternity-Inspiration for Tuesday 10th February 1998
How Holy?
(Heb 12:14 NKJV) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without
which no one will see the Lord:
It is clear from this verse that Christians are to pursue holiness
and that without holiness one cannot see the Lord. This naturally
leads to the question "How much holiness do we need before we can
see God?" . I don't know - but I do know that we must pursue it
diligently. In the context of the book of Hebrews I think holiness
has the meanings of separation from the world, being set aside for
God, and ethical purity.
The rest of the New Testament offers us a few clues. For Paul
holiness came at conversion but was outworked throughout the
Christian life and gross sin disqualified Christians from inheriting
the Kingdom of God. Writing to the Christians in Corinth he rebukes
them: (1 Cor 6:9,10 NKJV) Do you not know that the unrighteous will
not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor
sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Inheriting the
kingdom of God is different from entering it. Earlier in this epistle
Paul made it clear that some would arrive in heaven without any
inheritance "as one who is saved through fire". Christians who
practice gross sin will certainly lose their heavenly reward.
The things of the kingdom can only be entrusted to those worthy of
them, who have kept themselves holy, who love righteousness and hate
sin. God does not want His kingdom rewards given to the wrong
people. Therefore if you and I desire the things of the Kingdom and
greater intimacy with God we must pursue holiness. The pursuit of
holiness involves the study and application of Christ's commandments
to every area of everyday life. It is the rendering of all parts of
life as separated to God and free from sin. From the chequebook to
the tongue everything must be brought into alignment with God's
will. This is however a very individual thing and what is holiness
for one person may not be holiness for another - hence the
Jewish/Gentile disputes and controversies about the Sabbath and
eating meat that raged in the early church. Holiness is not the
supreme guilt trip - rather it is the solemn hope-filled offering
of all one's life to God, free from condemnation and full of love,
joy and peace.
Prayer:
Lord cause me to be holy. I offer myself to you once more, freely,
take me up and into Yourself, cause me to obey Your commands freely
and love You fully. Amen.
---------------------------------------------------------------
This devotional may be freely distributed for ministry purposes
Questions and comments may be sent to:
[email protected]
(not to the list please)
John Edmiston ([email protected])
Editor - Eternity Online Magazine http://www.eternitymag.com/
A Biblical Corner of The Internet
Eternity Inspiration - Free daily devotionals
http://www.eternitymag.com/etinsp.htm
Tell your friends to subscribe!