So, what’s holiness got to do with it?

So, what’s holiness got to do with it?            



God takes holiness seriously.

Preparations had gone on for weeks and weeks and the time had come.

It was the very first of the priestly ministry of Aaron and his two sons, Nadab and Abihu. God had given specific instructions. The young priests and their garments were precisely prepared and consecrated with anointing oil. The tabernacle was complete, consecrated, and anointed. The congregation had gathered.


It was time. But something went terribly wrong.


According to Leviticus 10:1-2 NKJV, “Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censor and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” WOW!


God is serious about holiness. 
Notice that key word, profane. God does not take kindly to anyone profaning what He calls holy. Let’s repeat that: God does not take kindly to anyone profaning what He calls holy. The word profane literally means strange or unauthorized. It is calling common or using in a common way something which God calls holy.

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Here are some examples: His name (Isaiah 57:15). “You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies You” (Leviticus 22:32 NKJV). When someone misuses the name of God, Jesus, or Holy Spirit they are profaning the name of Jehovah God—i.e., profanity. The tithe (Leviticus 27:30-33). When someone uses the tithe for anything other than God’s Kingdom, they’re calling common something God declares holy.  


God is serious about holiness. The occurrence with Nadab and Abihu has always troubled me, but God is God and He is sovereign. He knew what was best at that moment in time. 


In His mercy, we currently live in what many call “the age of grace.” Thankfully, God does not consume us with fire when we profane a thing He has declared to be holy. I would have certainly been zapped a long time ago.  But we should be on notice that God sees our infractions yet stands ready to forgive when we repent. With the shedding of His innocent blood, Jesus took the punishment we deserve for all our sins. Thank You, Jesus!


I appreciate the grace period offered at our public library. If I don’t return a book by the due date, I have a few days of grace which allow me to get it there without penalty. If I don’t get the book there before the end of the grace period, then I must pay up. No one knows the day nor the hour when this cosmic grace period we’re living in will end (Matthew 25:13). When it does end, people will need to pay up. It is urgent to be ready for that day (John 12:47).


After establishing the church in Thessalonica, Paul had been away for a while. He was pleased when Timothy brought back a good report of the growing faith and love of the young ministry, despite affliction and persecution.  Paul sent a letter of encouragement back to the Thessalonians, encouraging them to “stand fast in the Lord” and exhorting them to remain moral and pure, especially regarding sexual behavior (1 Thessalonians 3:8; 4:1-8).


Paul wrote, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 NKJV). “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but to holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8).


Paul encourages us to be blameless in holiness. In rejecting this call of God, we are rejecting God. I think we’d all agree that without God’s Spirit is us, we cannot be holy, as Paul reminds us at the end of verse 8. Holiness is a minute by minute relationship with our Creator. It is what separates us from the world and worldliness. Holiness is putting on the robe of Christ’s righteousness and standing firm in faith. 


Being holy is choosing to be set apart from cares, distractions, ways of our flesh, and the world’s systems. Instead, we need to walk out and be dedicated to the sacred purpose* of God’s divine call on the life of each of us. I like that term, sacred purpose. The purpose God created each of us for is a sacred thing. We can be confident that His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9) and the outcome will be a life of fullness in joy, hope, peace, and love—a life that leaves a powerful legacy of eternal value for those following behind.


Yes, the call to holiness is a tall order for any human being but the power of holiness brings cosmic results in terms of Eternity. Can you think of someone who influenced you because they lived out the sacred purpose God called them to? Now, think of someone who is coming behind you—who is being influenced by you as you walk out the sacred purpose—the holiness—to which God has called you.


I often remind myself of James’ words, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16b NKJV). If I want my prayers to avail much, then I need to be mindful of the call to holiness and live righteously. I did not say perfectly. I fall short more than I want to admit but God knows my heart and sees my efforts. And I’m so grateful for the Holy Spirit helping me.  


Will you pray with me? Holy Father, You know me well, even my every thought and each beat of my heart. Please help me to live holy before You. Sometimes it’s hard and I falter, doing things I don’t want to do and know I shouldn’t do. But Lord, you always stand ready to forgive me when I come to the place of repentance. Thank You. And thank You for Your Holy Spirit in me, putting a check in my spirit, correcting me, encouraging me, and helping me. You’re so full of love and grace. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.


©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford

*sacred purpose – I really like this term.  Spirit-Filled Life Bible; Thomas Nelson Publishing; 1991; Word Wealth for Leviticus 19:2; page 171

Part 2. A Lamp –The Light Shines in Darkness (6)

Part 2. A Lamp –The Light Shines in Darkness (6)          

We continue with RiSiKiLi−

              God’s Word − Read it, Study it, Know it, Live it.    

Today I want to resume looking at the value of God’s Word, picking up where I left of in my October 27, 2015 post. Today’s post is part 6 as we consider our Bibles being like a lamp, helping us find our way through a dark and treacherous world.

We ended Part 5 looking at Paul’s instructions to his young protégé, Timothy. As you read the following passage, imagine that Paul is talking to you and me. Here we have a good example of God’s Word instructing us through everyday life—as a lamp lighting the way. Also, take note of the term “word of truth.” We can think of our Bibles as The Word of Truth. Paul said,

¹⁵ Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

¹⁶ Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. ¹⁷ This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. ¹⁸ They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.

¹⁹ But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” 2 Timothy 2:15-19 NLT

 

This passage, verse 15 in particular, should be especially meaningful to anyone God calls to be a teacher. For the teacher, this verse contains the heart of his or her ministry gift. All believers are to study and understand God’s Word, but the teacher will be held to a higher level of accountability in this regard. Teaching the Holy Scriptures to others is a high privilege and a huge responsibility, not to be taken lightly.

But this does not let those, without the teacher gift/calling, off the hook, because every person has a teacher type influence on someone−our own family members as well as those we encounter in the market place.

Continuing at verse 16, Paul instructs that we should “avoid worthless, foolish talk.” The New International Version says, “Avoid godless chatter” –the New King James Version, “profane and idle babblings.” Instead we should adhere to the Word of Truth. 

How can we do so if we don’t know what is the Word of Truth? Here’s a simplistic example: “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” It seems that a number of people have been told, and believe, that those words are Scripture.  Though good hygiene is a desirable thing, this is not a quote from the Bible. Believing that it is, reflects ignorance of God’s Word.

Here are Jack Hayford comments on 2 Timothy 2:15: “The Bible−God’s inspired Word−is the only conclusive source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding concerning ultimate realities. It is a fountainhead of freeing truth (John 8:32) and a gold mine of practical principles (Ps. 19:10), waiting to liberate and/or enrich the person who will pursue its truth and wealth.  Thus, Paul’s instruction to “be diligent … a worker” has been applied by serious Christians through the centuries as a directive to study the Word of God. The only way to healthy, balanced living is through the ‘rightly dividing’ (Greek orthotomounta, literally, ‘cutting straight’) of God’s Word. Such correct, straight-on application of God’s Word is the result of diligent study. The test calls us beyond casual approaches to the Scriptures, telling us to refuse to suit the Bible to our own convenience or ideology.”

“In his earlier words (I Tim. 4:13) Paul also told Timothy, ‘Give attention to reading [God’s Word],’ but now he emphasizes studying like a ‘worker’ (from Greek ergon—‘toil, effort’).  Ps. 119:11 urges memorizing of the Word of God as a mighty deterrent against sin. Memorizing the Scripture also provides an immediate availability of God’s ‘words’ as a sword, ready in witnessing and effective in spiritual warfare (Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:17). (Is. 55:10, 11/ 2 Tim.3:16).”  Jack Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Bible, Kingdom Dynamics, p 1854.

 

In writing his epistle to Timothy, Paul was keenly aware that Timothy needed to study and know God’s Word in order to minister to others and to stand firm against unrighteous temptations and behaviors (2 Timothy 2:22-26). It was imperative that Timothy have this divine illumination guiding his personal life and his ministry. He needed to teach these same principles to others and set a good example, even as a young man. Paul instructed Timothy in effective servant leadership, knowing that this was the example set by Christ, Himself.

   

Truth is found in the Word of God and knowledge of God’s Word will help us stay on God’s virtuous path, illuminating the way, helping us recognize and avoid snares of the devil. As I said in an earlier post the devil, has a plan, or we may call it a plot, for our lives. But following the ways of our Lord, as clearly defined in His Word, will help us avoid his snares and even captivity.    

 

Have you devised a Bible reading/study plan for this New Year? If you want to do so and don’t know where to start, you might learn Jesus. Begin reading the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—then on to Acts. In addition to that, try to read through the book of Proverbs. It has 31 chapters. If you read a chapter a day, you’ve read the whole thing in a month. You might find it stimulating to repeat that each month or every other month.

 

 

On the Internet, Bible Gateway has several Bible reading plans you can take a look at> https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/?version=NIV

 

No matter the plan you choose, start now. It’s okay to start small, but let it be today. One more thing, PRAY—ask God to help you focus and lead you in His Book. You will be causing Him to smile. Go ahead, smile back.

I pray God will bless you richly as you get to know Him better through His Word.

A Lamp – The Light Shines in Darkness (5)

Part 2.  A Lamp – The Light Shines in Darkness (5)          

We continue with RiSiKiLi−

              God’s Word − Read it, Study it, Know it, Live it.       

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:1-5).

John was speaking of Jesus—in Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. When Jesus came into the world as a man, a Light that mankind had not known, came into the world. That is the light that illuminates the way of Creator God. 

John, the Gospel writer, goes on to elaborate in verses 6-17. He told of John the Baptist coming as a witness of Jesus being the Christ and saying that John bore witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world (John 1:7-9). 

With words like these and evidences of consequences, (mentioned in a previous post), faced by our Hebrew brethren not walking in the Light God provided, why are so many professed believers indifferent to God’s Word, which illuminates our way? Why is a small percentage of Jesus followers actually studying His Truths? 

Paul’s instructions to Timothy hold true for all believers. He said, Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2Timothy 2:15).  

Some of us memorized this verse as children, but we may have either not been taught what it meant or were not paying much attention to the teacher. The latter was probably me. 

Some part of that principle must have been planted in my spirit though, because I can recall that, even in high school and college, I respected my Bible and did some semi-regular devotional type reading of it. I even had a desire to read through the whole Bible and get into systematic study. 

But, in reality, it seemed that cares of the world and the desire to have fun took higher priority. My flesh was stronger than my spirit and it was no wonder, since my lifestyle was nurturing my flesh more than my spirit. Gratefully, by my early 20’s, I began to hunger for more of the Truth of God’s Word and started into actual study it.

I married young and soon had two sons. I wanted them to have a relationship with Christ and walk in the light of God’s Word. How could I expect them to honor God and His Word if I didn't do so myself?

I really wanted to be a godly mother for them and to set a good example. And besides, in my heart, I knew there was food there that I needed to satisfy my hungry soul and living water to quench the thirst in my spirit. I also knew my Bible contained direction to light my path, which often seemed crooked.

So what was Paul saying to young Timothy? Paul was telling him to study, just as the Holy Spirit was telling me to study. For Timothy, at that time, it would be the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus. Paul was also likely referring to his own prior instructions to Timothy, his protégé and student. The word study, as they knew it in Greek, is spoudazo, meaning “to make effort ... be diligent, endeavor, labor.” (Strong’s #4704)

So Paul was telling Timothy that he needed to consistently study. The verb is present imperative, meaning this was to be Timothy’s regular practice. He was to continue in regular, serious study of Scriptures and the teachings of Jesus. With diligence and effort he was to do so and thus please God and become knowledgeable and an example of Christ, before others. This should be the heart’s desire of every one of us who calls ourselves “Christian.”

Most of us have embarrassed ourselves while trying to discuss some Truth or fact from Scripture when we ourselves, and those listening, came to the conclusion that either we didn’t have enough knowledge, or we simply didn’t know what we were talking about. I have been there more times than I care to think about and don’t like finding myself in that position.

It’s through study as well as seeking God in prayer that we can avert these incidences of embarrassment. This is not saying that we will have all wisdom and all the answers. But we will know our God well enough and walk in step with Him on that illuminated path and close enough to Him that we will have the right words to say, with genuine authority and power. We'll have wisdom to say, “I don’t know,” when appropriate, as well.  

Another important component to having and gaining biblical knowledge and wisdom is that of being a part of a good Bible based church fellowship. The value of sitting under biblically sound teaching and preaching is beyond measure. We’re never too old or “mature” for Sunday School or Bible study groups. This small group systematic study, as well as the personal accountability that comes with it, helps us recognize and walk in the light of God’s Word.  “Iron sharpens iron” and we need it!   

©Connie Wohlford 2015