March 09, 2005
17. THE PROCESS OF PARTAKING OF HIS HOLINESS. Those who would partake of His divine nature, must first face the cleansing of the washing of the waters of the Word. Correction, is a nasty word to a rebellious and obstinate generation. Unfortunately, the attitude of the world can and does creep into the church. It is certain that we do not always recognize the correction of the Lord but seem to be prone to blaming it on hard luck or circumstance and other sources. Proper chastening, particularly when from the Lord has a tremendous benefit in His people. It is for our own good and spiritual advancement and growth. The ultimate being, that we are privileged to become one with Him, in His holiness. Holiness is not something that He expects us to achieve by our own efforts, but His desire is to share with us of that Holiness which is His very own essence. This is a privilege, not a duty. It is an invitation to become more like the Lord. How wonderful, that the Lord is so willing and desirous to share the entirety of Himself with His people. It is time that we take advantage of the precious, priceless gifts of His own nature so freely offered to us. Heb. 12:10
HOLINESS IS EXTREMELY VALUABLE. Of such great importance that the Word proclaims it to be a necessity in order for one to see the Lord. In words which are easily understandable it is stated that, “without holiness no man SHALL see the Lord.” Heb. 12:14 Holiness is fruit and evidence of the Christian life. It manifests the fact that one has been set free from the bondage of sin and iniquity and is now living a life that is godly, in Christ Jesus. The reward is the greatest, eternal life. Rom. 6:22 The idea of achieving holiness in the Lord is not a frivolous thing. Too often it is treated as an antiquated teaching from the past and that it is not relevant for today. Much the contrary, it is of utmost importance for the church of today. As definite as any call of the Lord to His people is the call to holiness. All carnal and spiritual impurities are to be laid aside that we might fulfill the call of the Spirit of the Lord to holiness. 1 Thes. 4:7 Most assuredly, if we are born of the Spirit we will exemplify the life of Christ in our daily life. Our conduct will be according to the Word of the Lord. Most certainly a high standard, but we are not dealing with the beggarly elements of this world but with those things which produce life eternal. Peters words almost sound like a command, if not, then a strong exhortation to live our lives here in the holiness of the Lord, 1 Pet. 1:15 He also draws a comparison between the brevity of those things which are worldly and that which is eternal. At the same time he issued a challenge to live a life of holy conduct and godliness. 2 Pet. 3:11 Finally, ones behavior denotes their experience with the Lord. If their life follows a pattern of goodness and righteousness it is apparent that they know the Lord. While, those who are bent on doing that which is evil and contrary to the teaching of the Word, make it self evident that they have not seen the Lord. They have no concept of who He is nor of the holiness that is His very nature. 3 John 11.