Ezek. 13:3 π Rom. 6:12 π Rom. 10:3 π 2 Cor. 7:1 π Heb. 12:14 π 1 Pet. 1:16 π Rev. 2:2
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” ( 2 Cor. 7:1; top )
After the new birth a process starts in us: either God’s Spirit dies in us or the sin in our lives dies. We must be suspicious of any proposal, either secular or Christian, that refuses to recognize sin and to deal with it personally. If we fail to recognize it, a compromise and mixture will enter in our lives, and today this same compromise of failing to recognize sin rules the Church world, even in the Full Gospel movement.
Christians often use the little cover-up phrase, “I am the righteousness of God”; however this confession never eliminates our sin. It may take our minds off of it, but the sin is still in residence. “Be holy, for I am holy.” ( 1 Pet. 1:16; top ) reduces us all to a place of full prostration before God and also total repentance.
A further investigation of Rom. 10:3 should eliminate any exaltation or justification of our holiness before Almighty God – “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (top) We are to be partakers of His holiness.
Because we rely on our own holiness, we often rebuke the chastenings of the Lord that are meant to burn out the shallowness in our lives so we can come to a place of true holiness in the Lord.
Even now, many of us sense that there is a further dimension of God which we have always hoped in – the enthusiasm of the Charismatic movement, with the novelty of seeking gifts, is fading, and we sense a hollowness and futility that only the holiness of the Lord Himself can fill.
In this hour, many self-appointed men with exalted labels have gone forth to set things in order; but being self-appointed reveals itself as an amateur whom the head of the Church has not sent. These are destined to be exposed by the true Church. “…Who say they are Apostles and are not, and have found them liars.” ( Rev. 2:2 ) “…Woe unto the foolish prophets that follow their own spirit…” ( Ezek. 13:3; top )
“Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” ( Heb. 12:14; top )
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that your should obey it in its lusts.” ( Rom. 6:12; top )
I’d love to hear comments and/or questions from you! Email me!