Holgate

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The Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord."


Nobody likes anyone that walks around "holier than thou". The reason is that everyone knows that the it is arrogance rather than holiness. The "righteousness" that such a person walks in is more about proving everyone around them is wrong, or at least less right than he is. Their attitude is based on their own work and thought.


We know that attitude and thought are not sufficient to be holy. In fact the main reason we do not like people like that is because everyone knows that nobody is "holy", right? To be holy is to be perfect, right? And nobody is perfect, right? Right.


We cannot be holy in our own power. Even "holy men" are holy based on their position in society and their "special connection" to the gods or the God. The major issue is that this recognition is based more on the perception of man rather. If you, or I, walked into a village of a tribal people and a man, or woman, came out and the people of that village told us that this person is "holy" then we would probably be respectful of that label. Yet, our perception of that person is entirely based on the influence of the people around us. What makes that person "holy"? Can we deem someone "holy"? The answer is, no.


If we cannot deem, or make ourselves "holy" then collectively we can deem someone "holy". Our collective unholiness is blocked from such an honor because, well...we are not holy.

Holiness comes from God. Why? It comes from Him because he is holy. He perfect. Scripture points this out and gives us hope, that as we separate ourselves from evil and draw closer to God we become holy, "assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”


It is not easy. We fall short sometimes, and God disciplines us to do better.  "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."


God wants us to be holy. He is the only one that can make you holy,  because He is holy. Scripture is clear that holiness is not a designation taken on by man or given by man. It is give by God through our separation, or sanctification, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you."


You are called to God, and he will make you holy. It is this holiness that comes through sanctification that allows us to be recognized by God, not man, as His people.


So, you thought nobody can be holy. Which is right when it's attempted on our own but when it's designated and learned by God then you can be. Maintain hope, "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."


Again, he does not expect us to do it ourselves but with the fulfillment of His promised Holy Spirit.


Next stop - Powerline Drive



 

Holy Life

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