HOLINESS IS POSSIBLE

            It is a mistake to suppose that God does not want us to be holy until death, for that would mean that He wants us to be unholy until death.  God does not want us to be unholy at any time. -Anonymous

Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

            To say, “I cannot be holy”, is to say, “God is a liar”. For God has commanded us to be holy. The catch is, in and of ourselves we cannot be holy. We must have the Holy Ghost of God living in us. We cannot be holy without being saved. We cannot be saved without repenting of our sin and trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour. Holiness begins with one act, then another, and then another.

BE RIGHTEOUS

The things that are wrong with the country today are the sum total of all the things that are wrong with us as individuals. --Charles W. Tobey

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

We enjoyed having Missionary Aaron Cruise and his wife Alicia with us yesterday evening. Alicia sang a couple of wonderful songs and Aaron shared their burden for America and Preached. During the message I was reminded of the above verse. I was reminded that before our country turns back to God there will be men and women in churches across our country that has already repented turning their hearts back to the God of the Bible. There will be many that have already trusted Jesus as Saviour.

What are we waiting for in America? What will it take before America totally turns back to God? Have you tasted the Good Grace of God? Have you forgotten what it’s like being in God’s will? Do you remember when God touched your heart causing you to rest in Him? Have you drifted so far away from God you think you can’t get back? I am thankful He gives second chances! Stop letting the Devil tell you a lie! God will forgive if you just ask! You can be righteous in Him!

BE YE HOLY

            It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. Lighthouses do not ring bells and fire cannon to call attention to their shining-they just shine. -Moody

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 20:7

            When the Lord saves a lost and dying soul, He does more than just saving them from hell. He is saving them from themselves. Left to ourselves, we will always find ourselves not only drifting toward sin but running to it. When we follow the paths of sin, we will eventually find ourselves dying from the very thing that we chose to do in the first place. I am reminded this morning of James 1:14-15, But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

            The cure for unholiness is living a holy life. It is walking in His righteousness. But we can’t do it on our own! We have to have Jesus’ righteousness in us. When we got saved, He gave us His Spirit and when we follow the paths of righteousness, the Holy Spirit leads us along the way keeping us from self destruction!

            Want to avoid self-destruction and the old saying, “Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer that you want to stay, and cost you more than you are willing to pay? Then—Be ye holy!

BE A HOLY WITNESS!

            Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:11-12

I have heard it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission. I have often wondered where in the Bible does a Christian that has that mentality find that verse. I don’t find it at all. What I do find is scripture like, “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. “ or “Be ye holy for I am holy.”

            Child of God, quit playing with fire! Just be the man and or woman of God He wants you to be! Be honest! Be faithful! Be committed! Be prepared! Be responsible! Be kind! Be true!