Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 263 September 17, 2001
HOLINESS

I have been writing a lot lately about the power of prayer, fulfilling your calling as a Christian and similar topics. This morning, I want to speak of holiness.

Before anyone gets on their theological charger and prepares to joust, let me start by saying I believe that salvation is solely by faith alone.

I do believe however, that as we walk closely with God, there is power, comfort and enhanced effectiveness in our ministry.

Somewhere much of the Christian community has lost its desire to be set apart and holy, to be pleasing unto God. We preach of His love and ignore His wrath. We compromise and seek the things of the world while professing our faith.

Many of the things that keep us from being holy are small. Seldom are they what we would call big sins. We have developed a mentality of socially acceptable sins.

- We speak against violence yet we watch television programs and movies that are full of it.
- We speak of honesty and integrity, but we cut corners at work, use company time for personal business, take extended lunch and coffee breaks and bring home office supplies.
- We speak of the santity of marriage, yet our eyes are drawn to pornography or our hearts to lustful thoughts as we see someone who appeals to us.
- We speak of the evils of gambling, but we buy lottery tickets.
- We speak of love and compassion, but the homeless and hungry stay that way.
- We speak of Christ as Lord, but we put recreation and work on an altar above Him.

We spend more of our money and time on recreation than we do with God. Even our time at church is spent making contacts for work or planning our week.

The list goes on and on.

We want to be set apart, but we also want to conform to the ways of the world. Bad news folks, you can’t have it both ways, you must make a choice.

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight. LUKE 16:13-15 NIV

I’ve often heard the first part of these verses preached on, but seldom does the preacher talk about the last sentence.

Where are you compromising? Where are far from the path of holiness? What have you set up as an idol ahead of God?

Until next time may Holy Spirit convict you of those areas where you are compromising.

God bless.

Kevin