Here is something to think about in preparation for our services this Lord’s Day: Are you holy? Do you believe you are holy? Would people who live with you say you are holy? Would your husband, your wife, your sons and daughters, your mother and father say you are holy? Would people who work with you in the world say you are holy? Would God say that you are holy?
I understand that there is a positional holiness – a holiness before God that is judicial. This is a holiness that is imputed to us through Christ’s death, but what I am asking is this; what evidence of personal holiness is there in your life that people can see and hear and feel and sense? Are you a holy man? Are you a holy woman? Are you a holy young person? Is it even possible that we are holy before God, but there is no evidence of holiness before men?
This is the question that came to my heart this morning and humbles me low before God; “Are you holy on all your conduct?” This is how the Spirit moved Peter to put it: – but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
In 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 Paul draws rich promises out of the scriptures of a special intimacy between us and our heavenly father when we are set apart and do not touch unclean things. The next verse has come to my mind this week over and over again; “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Am I a holy man? Would people who don’t even know the Lord ever day about me, “He is a holy man” Would they ever say of me as they said of Daniel; He has the Spirit of the Holy God in him? (Daniel 4:8, 9, 18)
O, God your heart must be broken over the lack of holiness in the professing church. Break my heart over the lack of holiness in my own life and work within me perfecting holiness in the fear of God in me. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Pastor Ken Pierpont
The Pastor’s Study – Evangel Baptist Church, Taylor, Michigan
July 25, 2008
Roy
Great message. Holiness is so needed in today’s sinful world. Thanks!