Tag Archives: Holiness

Broken and Naked

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From Psalm 119:

122 “Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
your law is being broken.”

I sat and pondered Church.  Perplexed at her ailments, I searched to see if there was something that could be done.

It is not as though she is void of the word.  She is rather, void of understanding.  For the word is preached in her, everyday and in every corner.  What she lacks, is a firm, wise hand of leadership.

“For lack of vision the people perish”, it is written.  And the vision of God’s shepherds has been obscured by the world’s proclamation of peace.  How then can the church stand with holy strength?

I remembered a passage as I looked into these things.  “It is time for you to act, Lord; your law is being broken.”  I thought this was an appropriate prayer.

But when I view it in this context, it is not talking about reparation for sins; that is to say a heavy hand from God.  Instead it speaks of Glory.

The words are the end of an appeal to the Holy Father to glorify His holy Son.  Because the holy laws of the Living God are being broken, it is time to present the sacrifice on behalf of those who need it.

It is a difficult thing to look at the beauty of the Living God, and see the hatred for his commands that thrives in his church.  Even a passing glance will provoke some measure of pain.

But as we are told, “mercy outweighs judgement”.   We must allow the Holy Lord to reserve his right to judge.

All day long, a lament is sent to the throne of the Living God.  “Please O’ Sovereign God, purify your church.”  Hearts bent toword the Lord, like sunflowers in summer.  The Lord’s faithful people make intercession for the sins of their brothers and sisters.

But they do not call for the heavy hand of God.  They call for the water of sacrifice to be poured out afresh on the hearts of His people.  They call for a renewal of understanding.  They call for eyes to see, ears to hear, and souls full of vision to lead.

Therefore teach them.  Show them the severity of their sin.  Show them the incomparable suffering necessary to secure their release.  Teach them about his glorious hopeful promises.  Gain vision!

Holy Father:  I thank you for cutting short my folly.  I thank you for showing me these things.  The church belongs to your Holy Son.  And he will never abandon what is his.

Still, we lament, O’ Holy God!  Your covenant is being broken.  Shame covers your people, where it should be a glorious and radiant hope.  We are ashamed and do not realize it.  We are sick and wax near death.

Instead of shame there is praise, “You do well to condone all sin.  For God has commanded us to love all men”.  Was it for this that your precious blood was spilled in such great agony?  Were you glorified as first above all, that your people may remain in squalor?

Please rise up Sovereign Father, in Christ Jesus Your Holy and Righteous Son, and purify your people. 

This prayer simply finds its place among your holy things.  You will act according to your great and eternal wisdom. 

Let it be known that we did not cower in fear.  Let it be known that we stood apart to proclaim a wrong.  All of this we have done because you have loved us.  All of this we have done because you taught us this was true.

The glory is not ours.  The glory belongs to the one whose blood has written the covenant of the living God. 

Purify your church, Holy Lord Jesus.  Set us in right standing, that we may proclaim for your glory.

Amen

P.S.
A related article, of considerable value, can be found here: http://theagetocome.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/the-kairos-moment/ The title is, The Kairos Moment.

By His Grace

The Swinging Doors

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I have made a great deal of noise about our calling to holiness.  There is certainly nothing wrong with pressing one another to such a high calling.  And every Christian is called to the highest possible standards.

But I have never preached the gospel to a robot.  It’s not likely I ever will.  The gospel is not made for automated consumption.  The gospel is made to be consumed by frail, and even rebellious, people.

Too much talk, however, about our necessity to gain holiness can leave many with a broken heart and destroyed faith.  Not to mention that many people will simply stop listening,  because they know they cannot, or are not willing to, reach to the greatest of Christianity. 

I cannot retract one article or word in regard to our high calling.  The Lord Himself told us to be holy, even as our Heavenly Father is Holy.  So I cannot retract what the Holy Lord has spoken.

So in view of the audience, which the gospel intends to command, there must be a doorway of relative ease by grace.  Such a doorway does exist.  In fact it is a double swinging door.  That is to say, two doors which can open independently, yet are side by side.  One is made of spirit, the other is made of flesh.

The first door was built by Jesus.  It was hung, and operational at the speaking of these words by Isaiah the prophet: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice. . .”.  Christ Jesus, being the full mercy of the living God, is the door of grace.  This is the door made of spirit.

You would think this is enough proof for anyone who is struggling.  But God has supplied a second door, due to the weakness of man. 

Often, in a man’s frightful plight, he needs a human example.  As the little boy was reported to have said to his mother, “Sometimes I need a Jesus with skin on”.

God has supplied the second door through the Apostle Paul.  We will call this one the door made of flesh.

As he worked out his own salvation, he fell upon a place of concern.  Though the desire within him to “become” was great, he found the flesh drawing back his upward momentum.  So he spoke to the people to explain his view.  (Failure visits every man.) 

Because of the grace of God he could continue without interruption.  But continuing did not mean he needed to start over, as some are persuaded is true of their own faith.

He intended to forget what was behind and set his mind firmly on what lay ahead.  But he also understood that if he was trying so very desperately to “accomplish”, what would become of the weaker Christians.  That’s when the Lord gave him a door to hang.

The Apostle Paul’s door of mercy hangs right next to the door of grace.  It simply says this: “Only let us live up to what we have already attained“.

Strive as hard as you can, but let God be God.

A great deal more can be said in regard to this.  But I’ve already used a whole lot of words.

In every job there is the craftsman as well as the apprentice.  Each continues to do what he has learned.  Each one adds daily to what he knows.  There are different levels and skills.  But the craftsmen and the apprentice own the job they are given.

Apply this as you will.  Only learn that God is Holy Love.

By His Grace

The Perfection of Holy Forgiveness

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It’s amazing how some things dawn on us ever so slowly.  We think we understand but we do not know as we should. Many people would call humans rather intelligent.  I am forced to think otherwise.

The comparison men use to grade themselves on intelligence, is born in the sea of men (the sum of which could be compared to a jellyfish).  But compare our intelligence to the Most High God and His holy son Jesus, and we fall so far short we are not even worthy of mention in his righteous court.

We all make mistakes on a daily basis.  Many of those mistakes can be referred to as sin; for we knew better but chose that way anyhow.  Can God forgive our sins?  The answer is “absolutely”.

It just dawned on me today how that can be so.  Duh.

The Lord has allowed me to be with and love an absolutely wonderful woman.  She knows my faults but chooses to overlook them.  She is full of discretion and does not speak of them to others.  She makes no excuse for me, but she buffers me against what could be an enemy.

If she is such a wonderous human being and yet falls so far short on the intelligence level, (As do we all.)   How much greater and more discreet is the sweet love of the Son of God?

Certainly something to ponder when doubt overshadows our forehead.

By His Grace

Lessons Begun

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Things I have begun to understand in the last three days:

Any school boy can understand words, even good words.  But there is a place where good words begin to come alive in a man.  It is the latter which provokes this post.

Lowered eyes that cannot be raised, may be a sign of humility.  (Keyword being “cannot“. Shame can have the same effect.) While eyes that will not lower, often are accompanied by the chin.

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As a man desires, so he will become.  The man who desires the things of this world, has already attained them.  Even though they are not yet in his hand.  Likewise, with the man who desires the things of Christ Jesus.

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As a man compares himself to others, godliness leaves him.  While the man who is able to be satisfied with what he has, is capable reaching toward godliness.  The former sins by his comparison.  While the other opens himself to the peace of God.

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In the matter of godliness: The young man may think he has attained.  But he does not know the extent of what is required.  The old man has begun the journey.  But no man can live long enough to attain all there is to attain.  Continuance for both must be established.

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In summary:  Our dependence on the Holy Righteousness of Christ Jesus does not diminish with our accomplishments.  It only grows stronger the higher we climb on the Mountain of holiness.  Toward the pinnacle, the fall increases.  While at its base, pride remains king.

Woe to those who do not consider these things, for what they lose, no man can count.  And the sadness of their loss will never cease.   For if it is difficult for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?

Yet who can tell where a man may begin?  Those who remain In the Way of Christ may well accomplish great things.  Perhaps the “greatest” has not yet been born; whether of flesh or spirit.

These things have come to me as I have entered 61 years of living.  Why should those of lesser years give up now?  And these things have come to me in a relatively short three years.  What great hope lays, therefore, before my seniors?

It is necessary to encourage one another as the days grow more wicked.  As these things become known, it is not right that we should bottle them up. 

And it is not a righteous thought to believe that others will recognize the truth as they as they see it displayed in us.  Where is the wise word of counsel from those who know?  Laziness and fear are not godly traits.

By His Grace

Depravity Without End

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All men are the same.  Though life is found in billions of variations, at their base, all men are the same.

I could point to our need to be loved.  But there are men who do that in a seducing manner already.  They use our need to be loved, as a tool to get what they want.  From soap, to sex and to acceptance, there are men who manipulate that necessity.

I could point to our physical frailty.  But there are men who exploit every facet of the human body.  From ailments to physical beauty, men exploit others for the sake of gain. 

I could point to our mutual end; that inevitable place of death.  But even there: inheritances are fought over.  The plot of land is sold at a high price.  The casket is ornate and costly.

But I will speak of our depravity.  How worthless men are for doing what is purely good.  And how completely unable we are to change our situation.

Let us lay aside our former sins, and we would still find ourselves unable to do what is pure and good.  We are hopelessly depraved.  The judgment of God waits to receive us.  Yet who among us has considered the severity of our plight?

Men are careful to look for the singular things they do, which will draw judgment upon them.  With meticulous mind they strive to avoid the obvious.  Murder, adultery, hatred, discord, jealousy, lies, and the like, are the focus of their eyes, as they peruse their situation. 

They look for the obvious, while they miss the subtle.  But any sin, no matter how small, can throw us into condemnation on the day of judgement.

With diligence, men strive to avoid these obvious pitfalls.  But the size of such sins masks the horror beneath.

“I have not murdered.  Therefore I am better than my brother who has.”  “I have remained faithful to my wife (or husband).  Therefore I am a righteous man (or woman).”  “I am patient and compassionate to those of lesser value.  Therefore I am merciful even as God is merciful.”

With endless proclamation, men justify their life.  It is as if they rehearse what they will say to the living God on that day.  And they prepare by comparing!  Oh how men love to compare!

Billions of dollars are earned for the sake of man’s valued comparisons.  One is left to eat from the trash bin, because he was found unable to compete.  He was compared by society, to what is held in high esteem, and thrown to the wolves for his lack.

Another counts himself beautiful and well endowed.  He competes with great skill.  Comparatively speaking his body is beautiful.  And comparatively speaking, his mind works well, to gain what he desires.  He is the one who is honored among men.  For he is compared to the man who eats from the trash bin.  And the beautiful one is exalted to the highest places.

For our pride, we will be judged, by he who is perfectly humble.  For the sake of our greedy desire to gain, we will be judged by he who has given everything he has.  For the sake of our love of division, we will be judged by he who is the same yesterday today and forever.

If you have thought that you can stand before God on the Judgment Day, it would be good for you to rethink your position.  The Holy One has spoken that no man will stand on his own.  God has proclaimed that every man is a liar.  And the smallest infraction against his Holy Law, is deserving of only death.

Men conveniently overlook their own faults.  With desperation, they search themselves for what might be considered good.  Though what good they find is small and rare, they hold to these things with a deadly grasp.  But God sees the entire man.

At whatever place you think highly of yourself, you are severely mistaken.  You have compared yourself to others.  This is the source of your confidence.  But men fail to compare themselves to the Living God or his Holy Son Christ Jesus.

If you are still willing to listen I will tell you a truth of hope.  All need not be lost!  A way has been made for every man to stand strong on the Day of Judgment.

Your complete lack of what is good has been seen by the Holy Lord.  His Holy and Faithful Son’s sacrifice can cover you with confidence on that day.  But do not think you will wait for his covering when you appear before the Most High God.

There is holy work to do within you even now.  To appear with confidence before the Most High God requires a certain garb.  A man must be dressed in righteousness, holiness, a distinct lack of willingness to compare, and a vibrant willingness to forgive the sins of others.

As I pointed out before we are not capable of such attire.  Man, if left by himself, can only become dressed in everything that is wicked.  The very place we live demands it. 

Accept the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus.  Put down your own perceived righteous behavior.  Learn from the Lord what he expects from all men.  Humble yourself before the Living God.  Pray, and seek His face.  Present yourself to him as you are.

If you wait until the day of judgement you will be sorely hateful of yourself.  You will not be welcomed with open arms.  You will be cast away without the slightest regret.  On that day, no amount of tears or violent anger will change his mind.

There is a transformation that needs to take place here.  We must learn to submit to his leadership.  We must become worthy. 

Without him we can do nothing.  But with him we can overcome the selfish desires of man.  By the work of God within us, we can become like the Lord Jesus.  But this requires a humble submission from us.

There are millions who think they have a free pass to eternal life.  By speaking of few words, they count Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  But there is no change in their heart, mind or desire.  These, very many people, will be horribly surprised.  For man is condemned before he appears before God!

The only ones worthy of eternal life are those who do the will of the Sovereign God in Christ Jesus. 

If you do not fully understand what I have said here, do not bother to ask me to explain.  The Bible is freely available in almost every place of the world.  And prayer is only a knee bend away. 

If you are looking for a man to tell you what to do, you are looking in vain.  Only Jesus the Christ is able to save your soul.  We can point you to him, but we have no strength to save you. 

And if you look to men to help you are, by comparison, ignoring the command of God. 

You will stand all alone and naked on that day.  The teaching of no man can clothe you sufficiently.  To put it in the way of the Bible, you need to be washed and clothed in the Holy Blood of Jesus.

By His Grace

Provocation

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From the beginning of this blog until now, I have always spoken of things much higher then are easily attained.  Many would look at me and say, “He is surely a hypocrite.  No one can attain to these things he writes.”

I have written that Christians have a command to judge rightly.  So I cannot fault my brothers for such an assessment.  It is right that we should test every spirit, and not be willing to embrace every man who comes along and says he is in the name of Christ.

But I will say two things in this regard.  I do not search to defend myself, there is one who knows.  But I desire to enhance our Christian walk for the glory of the one who knows.  I perceive that the family of God has squandered many things for far too long.

1.  I ask you not to judge me as a man.  That would be of no benefit for anyone.  For you will surely find fault.  I am still in flesh and I am among you even as you are.  Rather I ask you to judge what is here by its content. 

Does it prod and provoke faithfulness to the Holy One of God?  Does it compromise and equivocate to the things of this world?  Or does it point at man and say he is shameful, while standing in the shadow of the Holy One?

2.  Yes I have been a hypocrite against the things I have written.  There are times when such things have been too high for me to reach.

But should this place represent the things that are easily grasped?  Would that not be to be as others who write only of the sweet things?

I have been cut to the heart many times by the things the Lord has provoked me to write.  And thus this place is tested, even by the one who has written it.
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I have been severely challenged by the Holy One in all these things and more.  I, like you, am in the process of becoming.  I have in my mind to overcome.  I do not think it proper to honor him with anything less.  And in the same way, I present these things to my brothers.

If there are five of us left, should we be less than his desire?  And if there are 10 million of us left should this be true?

The earth is not shaken by mediocrity.  It is less by the sin that covers its surface.  If God’s people will aspire to what is best, what can be accomplished?

And so I pray and live and write toward the things that are best.  I refuse to back down!  I purpose to strive for the very best.  He is honorable in all things!  And it is right to bring him what is best.

Let the judgment of man be pointed toward me, I am not hindered.  I will aspire to rise, by His Holy Grace!

The Holy One holds in his hand such magnificent gifts.  Not only is his promise true for the place we are promised to inhabit,  but he has spoken his desire that we should have the fullness of His glory, to man, even now.

It is written “To perfection there is a limit.”  Yet which one of us can say he has attained?  I refuse to believe that the perfection God grants, in his holy wisdom to men, cannot be reached.  He does not ask too much of us, and he provides all that is necessary to attain!  And I have every intention of seeing how high, on his holy mountain, a man is allowed to climb.

May God have glory through all his people and this through Christ Jesus His holy and Righteous Son!  Let us say “enough” to mediocrity!  Why should we not rise to the things of Stephan, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Gideon, the Apostle John and the like?

Thrice Holy is the Soverign Lord who bought us!  How should we linger and languish as only religious men?