Understanding True Holiness
"Holiness unto the Lord." Zechariah 14:21
Holiness should always be "unto the Lord." Any time we make it "unto men," it's wrong and misguided because it's just pride and pretense. Jesus condemned the Pharisees not for their acts of piety, but because they performed them to impress others. Not only did they life by a long list of religious "do's and don'ts," they also kept a scorecard on others who didn't live up to their list and denounced them for it. Some of us grew up in homes and churches that did this, and when the word "holiness" is mentioned, we squirm and think of Christians with somber faces and fingers pointed in accusation. That's not Bible holiness, that's legalism! And God hates it, and the Bible condemns it. To understand what true holiness is, think of the word "contamination." It's one of every hospital's greatest concerns. It's why doctors in an operating room insist that their surgical instruments be constantly sterilized; caps, gowns, and gloves worn; and the environment in the room maintained at a temperature where germs can't live. Are you getting the picture? Now adjust the lens a little bit, and you'll see the spiritual application. True holiness does not isolate you from the world, it insulates you from its contaminants. Paul corrected the Corinthian Church for their approach to the communion table: "In eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk" (1 Corinthians 11:21 NKJV). So Paul addresses their spiritually sloppy, anything-goes attitude. "For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep [have died]" (v. 30 NKJV). What's the answer? "Holiness - unto the Lord!"
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
Holiness should always be "unto the Lord." Any time we make it "unto men," it's wrong and misguided because it's just pride and pretense. Jesus condemned the Pharisees not for their acts of piety, but because they performed them to impress others. Not only did they life by a long list of religious "do's and don'ts," they also kept a scorecard on others who didn't live up to their list and denounced them for it. Some of us grew up in homes and churches that did this, and when the word "holiness" is mentioned, we squirm and think of Christians with somber faces and fingers pointed in accusation. That's not Bible holiness, that's legalism! And God hates it, and the Bible condemns it. To understand what true holiness is, think of the word "contamination." It's one of every hospital's greatest concerns. It's why doctors in an operating room insist that their surgical instruments be constantly sterilized; caps, gowns, and gloves worn; and the environment in the room maintained at a temperature where germs can't live. Are you getting the picture? Now adjust the lens a little bit, and you'll see the spiritual application. True holiness does not isolate you from the world, it insulates you from its contaminants. Paul corrected the Corinthian Church for their approach to the communion table: "In eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk" (1 Corinthians 11:21 NKJV). So Paul addresses their spiritually sloppy, anything-goes attitude. "For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep [have died]" (v. 30 NKJV). What's the answer? "Holiness - unto the Lord!"
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
Recent
Archive
2021
January
A Word For The New Year (1)A Word For The New Year (2)Trust God and Don't Be AfraidKeep PerseveringLet Go, And Let GodA Word For The New Year (3)A Word For The New Year (4)Why Pray?Have You Read Your Bible Today?Learn To WaitWhere Can You Find Peace?Trust God's Saving And Keeping PowerDealing With Fear (1)Dealing With Fear (2)Dealing With Fear (3)Dealing With Fear (4)Dealing With Fear (5)Dealing With Fear (6)Dealing With Fear (7)Are You Successful But Unfulfilled?Choice MorselsYou're Commanded To LoveLive For What Matters!Today God Is With YouThe Assurance Of SalvationHave You Stumbled?You Can Have Peace And ProsperityHow To Walk In God's Blessings (1)How To Walk In God's Blessings (2)You're "Graced" For This TestAre You Under Pressure Today?Why You Need A Relationship With GodHow To Strengthen Your MarriageGive God The First Moments Of Your Day
February
Keep Believing in ThemSeek God's "Peace" Concerning ItDecide, and Stick With It!Dealing with Your Doubts (1)Dealing with Your Doubts (2)The StingGod Will Provide "All" You NeedLoving and Accepting OthersGenerational BlessingsYou Must Respond With GraceTurn Your Loss Into Gain (1)Turn Your Loss Into Gain (2)Turn Your Loss Into Gain (3)Your Identity Determines Your InheritanceTake it to God in PrayerGiving to Your SupplierHow Are You Coming Across?Get a "Preparation Perspective"Believe it, God's Word is TrueThe Power of Intimacy With ChristLive For Something Greater Than YourselfDealing With Our SinUnderstanding True Holiness"Do" God's WordUse What God Has Given You"Be of Good Courage, And Do It"Always Keep Your Conscience ClearThinking of Yourself Less
March
People Pleasing (1)People Pleasing (2)Can You Pay The Price?Today Try To Be GraciousGoodness (1)Goodness (2)Tell Someone About Jesus TodayPreparing For Greater ThingsYour Words Reveal Your HeartYour Family Background Doesn't MatterOur Nation Can Be SavedShow Some Enthusiasm!Let God Use Your BusinessCultivate An Awareness Of God's PresenceLoving People You Don't LikeCast Out Your FearsDon't Belittle Your GiftGod Will Visit You AgainAccept Responsibility For Your LifeLearn To Set BoundariesWhat Will Your Legacy Be? (1)What Will Your Legacy Be? (2)What Will Your Legacy Be? (3)Sow For The FutureCrossing The "What If" LineDo What God Called You To DoBe Who God Made You To Be!Keeping The Excitement AliveGetting Beyond "The Splat"Don't Worry, God is FaithfulKeep on Persevering
April
Always Be HonestRedefining "Good" FridayThe Battle Over the ResurrectionThe Work Was FinishedRenew Your Love for ChristConquering Your Toughest Enemy - Yourself!Are You Struggling With Change?Don't Listen to the AccuserHarmony at Home (1)Harmony at Home (2)Harmony at Home (3)The Secret to Surviving Hard TimesYour Old Nature and Your New OnePrayer Can Change Your LifePrayer: Make it Simple and FrequentAre You Worried? Pray About It!Either Rule, Or Be RuledAnswering the Big Questions (1)Answering the Big Questions (2)Answering the Big Questions (3)Answering the Big Questions (4)Answering the Big Questions (5)How to Handle Disagreements (1)
2020
October
Facing Death Without Fear (1)Facing Death Without Fear (2)Training Leaders Who Can Train Others (1)Training Leaders Who Can Train Others (2)The Martyr's ContestOld VoicesThink God Picked the Wrong Person?What You Weren't Sent to Do!Love and Enjoy Your ChildrenQuality and QuantitySoul HungerGod is Working in YouGrowth is More Important than GoalsDon't Stagnate!True Understanding Comes From Your BibleGet Rid of ItBelieve That God Has Heard YouLove ListensAre You in a Storm Today?How to Keep Your Peace and JoyHow to Pray EffectivelyGive Your Worries to GodTry Brainstorming (1)Try Brainstorming (2)Be Generous With GodFinding Purpose in Your WorkYou "Must" Love YourselfThe Gift of EncouragmentDon't Spread DiscouragementGo Back to Bethel!When Your Family Doesn't Understand You
November
Obstacles To Answered Prayer (3)Obstacles To Answered Prayer (4)Obstacles To Answered Prayer (5)Obstacles To Answered Prayer (6)We Need Each OtherYou Need Purpose, And PersistenceLearn To Say Yes Or NoThe Protocol For ChurchDon't Obsess Over The FutureAreas Of Success, Areas Of StruggleYou Can Begin Your Life Over AgainKeep Persevering And You'll WinTemptation (1)Temptation (2)You Are Gifted By God (1)You Are Gifted By God (2)You Are Gifted By God (3)Personal Growth (1)Personal Growth (2)Lean On God\'s Presence And His PeopleThink Realistically (1)Think Realistically (2)What's Your Vision?Keep ImprovingInsecurity In LeadershipSet Free To Fulfill Your Destiny
December
By God's Grace You Can OvercomeStrength Through SharingSustaining GraceWe Serve a Generous GodForgive Because You've Been ForgivenTry to Make RestitutionProtect Your MindMake Your Life Count for GodYou're Accepted, Loved, and SecureThe Bible and Your Health (1)The Bible and Your Health (2)The Truth of Creation (1)The Truth of Creation (2)The Truth of Creation (3)The Truth of Creation (4)The Truth of Creation (5)The Mickey Mantle StorySet Healthy Boundaries for YourselfDollars and DiamondsHave You Prayed About It?Forget It and Move OnHold On Until Your Joy ComesKeep Your Conscience ClearAre You Alone This Christmas?Christmas is About - ChristBe FlexibleFocus on the Solution not the ProblemHave You Been Betrayed?
Categories
no categories