The Word is Holiness - Part 4

The Word is Holiness  - Part 4

Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Since no sin can stand in God’s presence, Christians must—and will be—sinless when they see the Lord compare 1 John 3:2 (NKJV) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. That realization offers motivation for pursuing holiness here and now. But the author may also have had in mind the thought that one’s perception of God even now is conditioned by his real measure of holiness (cf. Matt. 5:8).

Believers must try to live in peace with everyone. Believers are to have as peaceful relations as possible with their unbelieving neighbors and associates, as well as harmonious relationships within the church. Certainly they should not be the cause of dissension. Christian fellowship should be characterized by peace and building up one another see 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV) Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

In addition to seeking peace, believers must also seek to live a clean and holy life (see also Hebrews 12:10 (NKJV) For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness). “Holiness” means devoted or consecrated to God’s service. In a practical way, our holiness means honoring God in how we treat others—friends, neighbors, spouse, children, even enemies—and in how we run our businesses, finances, etc. Holiness causes the behavior, thoughts, and attitudes of Christians to be different from unbelievers. Our holiness, provided for us by the death and resurrection of Christ, will allow us to see the Lord as he really is, when we go to be with him forever.

The means used by God for our sanctification and holiness.

Chastening:

Revelation 3:18-19 (NKJV) 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Proverbs 3:11-12 (NKJV) 11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Pruning:

John 15:1-2 (NKJV) 1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Romans 11:16-22 (NKJV) 16 …if the root is holy, so are the branches….21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either….22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

John 6:26-27 (NKJV) 26 Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food (meat) which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

We MUST without fail CONTINUE in the word of TRUTH and ENDURE unto the END in order to be SAVED and inherit Eternal Life in the world to COME. So then, in order to understand what Jesus meant by laboring or working for that MEAT which will produce ETERNAL LIFE in us, then we need to know WHAT Jesus meant by the word "MEAT"? Well if we back up a couple of chapters and read John 4:32-38 we will see that one of the meanings of the word "MEAT" means to labor or to work the Will Of Almighty God.

The Word is Holiness – Part 3

The Word is Holiness – Part 3

Romans 6:22 (NKJV) But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.  

What a beautiful, beautiful insight into God’s eternal plan. Paul once again stated that slavery to sin and to righteousness are mutually exclusive (cf. vv. 13, 16). But he went on to indicate the superiority of being enslaved to righteousness and God. The benefit (this Gr. word is usually trans. “fruit”) of enslavement to sin was that it produced things that a believer is now ashamed of. But even worse, “the end of those things is death” (lit. trans.).

Responding to the gospel by faith and accepting Jesus Christ completely reverses things for an individual. He is now... set free from sin (cf. v. 18) and has been enslaved to God with the result that he has the benefit of holiness (cf. v. 19), the subject of chapters 6-8 of Romans.

The sinful life gives no benefit (6:21), but salvation gives the benefit of a holy, clean life (v. 22). Whereas the “end” (telos) or result of sin is death (v. 21), the “end” of salvation is eternal life. Paul then summarized these contrasts. The wages (the Gr. word opsōnia originally meant a soldier’s pay) of sin is death (eternal death here, in contrast with “eternal life” in v. 23b). This death is eternal separation from God in hell, in which unbelievers suffer conscious torment forever Luke 16:24-25 (NKJV) 24 Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' 25 But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.. This is the wages they have earned and deserve because of their sin (cf. Rom. 5:12; 7:13). By contrast, the gift (charisma, “grace-gift”) of God is eternal life (cf. John 3:16, 36). Eternal life is a gift that cannot be earned cf. Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5 (NKJV) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

God in His grace saves those who believe, not because of any righteousness in them (cf. Rom. 3:21-24; Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 1:9), but because of His mercy. The three words, “kindness,” “love,” and “mercy” (Titus 3:4-5) all represent aspects of God’s grace. The dual means of grace through which He accomplished this salvation are (1) the rebirth spoken of as a washing from the filth of sin, and (2) the renewal by the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17). No mention is made here of the role of faith in the process because Paul’s entire focus was on what God has done, not on human response.

The Word is Holiness - Part 2

The Word is Holiness - Part 2

Central to God’s character is the quality of holiness. Yet, even so, most people are hard-pressed to define what God’s holiness precisely is. Many preachers today avoid the topic altogether because people today don’t quite know what to do with words like “awe” or “fear.”

The holiness of God in its proper and central place in the Christian life is vital to his understanding. He paints an awe-inspiring vision of God that encourages the Christian to become holy just as God is holy. Once you encounter the holiness of God, your life will never be the same.

Holiness for the believer is to know that he is “set-part to the Lord”. Consider what the writer of Hebrews 12:14 says, (NKJV) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  Strive for peace with all men as well as personal holiness must be vigorously sought since without holiness no one will see the Lord. Since no sin can stand in God’s presence, Christians must—and will be—sinless when they see the Lord. Thank God for the promise of 1 John 3:2,3 (NKJV) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.  All things being equal, on that day having lived according to God’s plan and will, we shall be like Him.

Philippians 3:15-21 (NKJV) 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Once You Encounter The Holiness Of God,

Your Life Will Never Be The Same.

The Word Is Holiness

The Word Is Holiness

I accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior in my junior year of High School in 1952. That decision introduced me to the Assemblies of God. Thinking back to those early days there were some “strange rules” recognized and accepted as Holiness. 

For instance, the ladies were discouraged to cut their hair. Accept for wedding rings, it seemed that jewelry that touched the skin like earrings and necklaces were taboo.  Slacks and jeans were also considered unacceptable. Movies, cards, social drinking, mixed swimming likewise were all no, no’s.  These and others were all promoted as signs of “holiness”.  We must understand that Holiness is NOT a man made list of do’s and don’ts. As time went by most of these outward standards fell by the wayside.

The question that we must ask is, “What is Holiness?”  

1.    Holiness is related to Godliness, i.e. God-like-ness. Paul shares some light in his letter to young Timothy. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV) 7…exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.  Exercise yourself toward godliness. Godliness is profitable for all things.

2.    Holiness is related to Righteousness, i.e. Right-living or Doing what is right. Romans 8:4 (NKJV) …that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

I believe that Holiness is the basic central nature of God. I base this on the events we can see from the Scriptures. Listen to Isaiah 6:1-3 (NKJV) 1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"  Revelation 4:8 (NKJV) The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"  These two events one from the Old Testament and the second from New Testament imply that those heavenly creatures closest to the throne and He who sat on the throne cried out day and night Holy, holy, holy. Why? They could have said power; love; grace; wisdom; omnipotent; eternal; all words that could have been spoken honoring the Almighty one on the throne. But these creatures cried out day and night Holy, holy, holy, because holiness is His central basic nature.

1 Peter 1:16 (NKJV) because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."  

1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NKJV) For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

Romans 6:22 (NKJV) But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV) Pursue…holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

George O. Wood General Superintendent, The General Council of the Assemblies of God - Statement Regarding Strange Fire Conference

George O. Wood General Superintendent, The General Council of the Assemblies of God - Statement Regarding Strange Fire Conference

Recently, Dr. John MacArthur and Grace to You Ministries hosted the Strange Fire Conference at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California.

Dr. MacArthur believes that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit ceased with the close of the Apostolic Era and that the Pentecostal and charismatic movements are therefore theologically aberrant at a foundational level.

By contrast, Pentecostal and charismatic Christians believe that “the promise [i.e., the gift of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). With this promise comes the evidential sign of speaking in other tongues and power to be witnesses of Jesus Christ “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, 2:4, cf. Luke 24:49). Consequently, following the Apostle Paul’s teaching, we “eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:1).

While there have been isolated aberrations of behavior and doctrine over the past century among those who self-identify as Pentecostal or charismatic, the movement as a whole has proved a vital force in world evangelization —a fulfillment of the promise Jesus made to His disciples in Acts 1:8. On behalf of the 66 million adherents and 360,000+ churches in the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, I thank God that the faith and life of the Acts 2 church are still being believed and experienced today.

The Assemblies of God celebrates 100 years in 2014 and remains committed to the full authority of God’s Word. As a founding member of the National Association of Evangelicals, the Assemblies of God has sought to cooperate in the Great Commission with Christians of like-minded faith, even when they are not Pentecostal and charismatic and we remain committed to that collaboration.

We trust the time will come when Dr. John MacArthur and those who share his perspective will acknowledge the great contribution that Pentecostals and Charismatics are making in the evangelization of individuals without Christ. We pray God’s blessings on their efforts to share His gospel with a lost and dying world. Pentecostals and charismatics are their co-laborers in this effort so we ask that they would similarly pray for God’s blessing on us as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission that God has given us all.

George O. Wood General Superintendent, The General Council of the Assemblies of God

Chairman, World Assemblies of God Fellowship

The Word is ...?

The Lord said to me…”I will test my people with a Plumbline, Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

The Word is ...?

An elderly man used to go around selling little boxes of cement which could mend all family jars and even broken hearts.

Some only laughed at him, but those that purchased one of the little boxes for one cent found a small peice of paper inside. On it was written the word Love. What a sure cure for family jars and broken hearts.

Love does no wrong to the family or friends. True love is patient , kind, it is not jealous, boastful or proud. Love never gives up, or loses faith, but is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. You can’t go wrong when you love others. (See Romans 13:10; 1 Corinthians 13:4,7 NLT).

The Word is Love

The Word is Love

The Apostle John gives us a powerful and beautiful insight into the word “love”. Kenneth Taylor in his New Living Translation states is so well.

1 John 4:7-10 (NLT) 7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Love stems from a regenerate nature and also from fellowship with God which issues in knowing Him. The absence of love is evidence that a person does not know God. Since God is love, intimate acquaintance with Him will produce love. Like light, love is intrinsic to the character and nature of God, and one who is intimately acquainted with God walks in His light. (See 1 John 1: f regarding “light”).

If one wishes to know how God has demonstrated His love, he need only look at the fact that God sent His One and only Son into the world that we might obtain eternal life thereby (“One and only” translates  “only born one,” which also is used in John 1:14, 18; 3:16). Moreover, this love was not a response to man’s love, but an initiative on God’s part (1 John 4:10). By it the Son became an atoning Sacrifice, “propitiation”. Nothing less than God’s love in Christ is the model for the love Christians should have toward one another. [1]

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[1] The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.