I heard evangelist and author John Bevere say something to the effect, "The most unwelcome word in the Church today is 'holiness.' " Think on that a moment. How often does that word enter into the central life and teaching of our fellowships? When it is used, how quick is the knee jerk reaction to call such an emphasis on holiness as legalism, rule keeping, and centered on outward behaviors? I realize that well meaning but misguided preachers and teachers of the past have linked true, inner holiness with all these and more. But I think that in our zeal to not be considered legalistic, the pendulum has swung very far in the other direction. It's what we tend to do in the church. If we've gone too far in one direction, than we usually, as a reaction, go too far in the opposite. We once placed far too much emphasis on works and too little on grace. Now we have so emphasized grace as to make holy living unnecessary. Some have called this "Hyper-grace" and we're seeing the result everywhere. Nowhere more than the diminishing of our Holy God and the holy life He calls us to. No, the holy life He commands us to live.
Look at how we present Christ. "Come to Jesus and He will make your life better. Things will all work out. He has a wonderful plan for your life." He's become an add-on. An add on who demands nothing and gives everything. Tozer said that God has become "our buddy." Someone we can "kick back and have a few brews with." I know I'm oversimplifying, but how reverent and awestruck are we in what we call "worship" today? Indeed, how reverent and worshipful are we in our day to day living, choices, leisure, and relationships? Where does the concept of holy purity, both in mind and body really fit in our churches? I'm not speaking of throwing fireballs at the people from our pulpits. But I do speak of presenting, with reverence, awe, and love, God as He truly is, and not as we wish Him to be. As Bevere writes, the Israelites didn't want to come near the manifest presence of God. Their flesh couldn't handle it. Neither can ours. Nothing has changed in 3500 plus years. God hasn't gotten less holy, and we certainly will never become more....unless we truly encounter the Holy God of the Bible, who will expose all of our inner dirt, and by the blood of His Son, and the wonder of His presence, wash us and make us clean and whole. It's what happens when we really live in His presence.
In the waywardness of His people, the Father spoke through His prophets that they were to "prepare to meet their God." A holy God. I believe that this holy God is even now breaking back into His Church. Not with a new book of rules, but with a manifest presence that will bring from us the only response it can bring. The one seen in Isaiah, "Woe is me. I am undone." And then, remade. Yes, we need fear this holy God.....and love Him as well. For He is good, and He is holy.....I remember the words of the hymn sung in every chapel while I was at Bible College. "Holiness unto the Lord now and forever." Holiness. Now.....and forever.
Holiness. A welcome or unwelcome word for you and me?
Blessings,
Pastor O
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