Good Morning,
We must be about Kingdom business, like never before. One of the things that Father God is serious about us not having is 'selective' hearing concerning His Word. Obedience is the requirement for holiness to be worked in us. As believer's we have had the luxury of picking and choosing our 'favorite' scriptures. Most of the time though, these 'favorite' Words have to do with us getting what we want. How about we give to God His wants. This is a covenant relationship, both parties are to give and receive. Right now our Father desires "holiness'. Remember the scripture that we read back in December on holiness, Hebrews 12:14 – "Strive to live in peace with everybody (hmm, that's a challenge) and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will ever see the Lord.' That is the Amplified Version of the Bible, how about another translation, something we can understand, alright. Here is the same verse in the NLT, "Work at living in peace with everyone and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord." It really doesn't matter which translation you read it from, the Word is telling us to live holy lives if we want to see the Lord, both here and in our eternal future. The definition of holiness is sacred, consecration, dedicated, hallowed, blameless, devoted to the service and worship of God. In case we will not look up the words like sacred, dedicated, hallowed and consecrated, here are words that we all comprehend. Holiness is to commit yourself with faithfulness and zeal to give up all that concerns self (money, talent, thoughts, effort, for the advancement of God. Profound respect and affection shown in service of God, (the church at large could 'selah' pause and calmly think on that). Truly, we sashay in God's presence particularly at church as if He isn't saying or doing anything worthy of our attention. I mean really if you had an appointment with your doctor at ten o'clock, and you came in at eleven, more than likely you would not get his attention. You know it is true, you would have to reschedule, and I bet you would get there on time that time. We seem to disrespect God in how we serve Him in more than being on time. We don't want to praise Him, because He did not do what we wanted the way we wanted. I will not go there today. Back to the definition, holiness is the practice of showing love, honor and admiration, and deference. Respect mingled with awe, excited by the sacredness of God. Obedience to Deity. (this definition was taken from the Noah Webster 1828 dictionary)
The Bible says that we are to pursue holiness. We saw that it means that we are to follow in order to overtake it, to accomplish it, to practice it. I Peter 1:13-16 says, "Therefore prepare your minds for action (we have to get our renewed mind in on this, because as a man thinks so is he), :keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace (God's ability upon our inability; in other words we have supernatural help to do this) to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children (holiness) do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, (before you were saved), but like the HOLY ONE who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior, because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I AM holy." Obedient means to hear and do; by compliance or submission; coming under the control or command of (God's) authority; to perform or behave as directed, often without question or attempt at independent decision; (that is what most parents expect from their children; because we love them) to act or react in conformity with (God's Word); to fit ones conduct to perform as directed. The key to holiness is willingness to obey. We are to be holy by obeying God in our behavior (our conduct; manner of living or conversation; the manner or ways in which a person conducts themselves; to conduct oneself in a correct, obedient or proper manner.
Let us meditate on this. Hear and obey equals our holiness. Doers of the Word are blessed.
1 Peter 1:16
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 