Together # 37
A Together of Spiritual Growth
A Together of Spiritual Growth
Pursue Holiness and Righteousness Together
copyright by Dick Wulf, 2018
Aim to be holy, counteracting each other's unrighteousness by means of perfect corporate obedience.
Lev 19:1-2; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Cor 1:2; Eph 1:4; Heb 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15; 2 Peter 3:11, 14
Since God is transforming us into the image of Jesus, clearly stated in Rom 8:29, we are to pursue holiness and righteousness. This is a life-long pursuit that needs to be done with the help of others. Furthermore, in addition to pursuing holiness and righteousness individually, we are to do so in the Christian groups we belong to. Christian friendships are to pursue holiness and righteousness. Christian families are to pursue holiness and righteousness. And, Christian marriages are to pursue holiness and righteousness.
Holiness is all about being set apart for God, “to be consecrated”, “to be dedicated”, “to be holy”.
“That which was consecrated to God must be for his use alone—forever.” (Larry Richards, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, © 1985 The Zondervan Corp., page 339.) |
Unfortunately, the individualized faith of today’s Christianity steers our understanding of holiness to individual piety. We can be on shaky ground if we limit the holiness we pursue to personal devotional practices, church attendance, and individual relationship with God. There are three Greek words for “holy” in the New Testament, and only one of them related to piety or devoutness. And it is mentioned only eight times. Plus, the Greek word for ritual holiness, the type of holiness so prevalent in the Old Testament and before Jesus died on the cross, is rarely used at all in the New Testament.
The Greek word for “holy” used extensively in the New Testament refers to our obligation to God to glorify Him with moral behavior. In other words, holiness is to live the way God wants us to and in this way honor Him.
The Greek word for “holy” used extensively in the New Testament refers to our obligation to God to glorify Him with moral behavior. In other words, holiness is to live the way God wants us to and in this way honor Him.
“In the New Testament, holiness is true goodness woven through the lifestyle of the believer and expressed in every daily activity and in every relationship.” (Larry Richards, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, © 1985 The Zondervan Corp., page 341.) |
Furthermore, it is essential to note that God commands something much more than individual holiness. It is group holiness that He commands.
The Lord said to Moses,
“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them:
‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.’
Lev 19:1-2
But just as he who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do;
1 Peter 1:15
(Addressed to more than one Christian. See verses 13 and 14.)
“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them:
‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.’
Lev 19:1-2
But just as he who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do;
1 Peter 1:15
(Addressed to more than one Christian. See verses 13 and 14.)
These two commands, one under the old covenant God had with Israel and one He now has with the church, are not addressed to individuals. Therefore, what is impossible for individual believers because of sinful nature, is possible for societies of believers because those groups are not inherently sinful; only its members are.
However, for us all together to reach for holiness, purity, and righteousness, we each individually must pursue the same. Before we return to holiness and righteousness in Christian groups, we need to discuss our individual responsibilities in this regard.
Throughout Scripture, believers are told not to do evil, not to sin. Here is one of the most specific passages.
However, for us all together to reach for holiness, purity, and righteousness, we each individually must pursue the same. Before we return to holiness and righteousness in Christian groups, we need to discuss our individual responsibilities in this regard.
Throughout Scripture, believers are told not to do evil, not to sin. Here is one of the most specific passages.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Col 3:1-10
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We are to put to death sins that are alive inside of ourselves and purify our spirits. We can prayerfully start with those horrible things mentioned in Colossians 3 above. It may seem that we need to struggle to kill off a particular sin, but starting with a firm decision in the power of God may be sufficient.
I discovered the power of a decision from an otherwise misguided source. A secular organization sent me a promotional cassette tape many years ago telling how to quickly eliminate things from my life. I listened to the tape and in a very ridiculing, humorous way did what they suggested. Three days later, I found that the very specific thing I used in what I thought was an absolutely over-simplified and ridiculous exercise was surprisingly gone. I went on to use the method on things I had been anxious about for up to 60 years, and at least 90 % of those worries have not been back now for over 18 years. I have applied the method of decision-making to letting go of sinful attitudes as well as to bring into my life biblical obedience with just as much success. Strange as it might seem, the problem I have had is that the method works so well that I forget it. Only when really bothered by something do I remember it again and put it to use. Here is my recommendation to you.
First, ask yourself, “With the power of the Holy Spirit, can I let go of . . . (and name the particular sin you want gone). Then make a definite decision, “yes”, meaning that you believe it is possible to let go of that particular sin. This works. When I was first listening and going along with this instruction, I said that I could let go of the thing I wanted gone with ridicule and laughter. I did not really believe it could work. That was late on a Monday night. Three days later, on Thursday morning I became aware that the thing was gone and had been since that Monday night. It had worked and I didn’t even believe in it!
Second, ask yourself, “Will I let go of it?”, naming the specific thing you want to let go of. That first time I when responded, I was thinking it was quite funny, and that something so simple could not work. But, even though I was ridiculing this method, I was sincere in my desire about what I wanted gone in my life. And, it worked! All that is important in this second step is that you really do want the specific thing gone.
The third and last step in this decision-making process is to ask yourself, “When do I want this thing gone?” Your answer should be, “Now.”
Here is an example if it was coveting that you wanted gone from your life. This decision-making method uses three words, Could I?, Would I?, and When? Or Can I?, Will I?, and When?
Here is an example if it was coveting that you wanted gone from your life.
Could I stop coveting what others have? Can I stop wanting what others have? “Yes.”
Would I stop coveting what others have? Will I stop wanting what others have? “Yes.”
When do I want to do this? “Now.”
The Bible does not always say that we need to struggle to obey Scripture. It often just tells us to make a decision.
I discovered the power of a decision from an otherwise misguided source. A secular organization sent me a promotional cassette tape many years ago telling how to quickly eliminate things from my life. I listened to the tape and in a very ridiculing, humorous way did what they suggested. Three days later, I found that the very specific thing I used in what I thought was an absolutely over-simplified and ridiculous exercise was surprisingly gone. I went on to use the method on things I had been anxious about for up to 60 years, and at least 90 % of those worries have not been back now for over 18 years. I have applied the method of decision-making to letting go of sinful attitudes as well as to bring into my life biblical obedience with just as much success. Strange as it might seem, the problem I have had is that the method works so well that I forget it. Only when really bothered by something do I remember it again and put it to use. Here is my recommendation to you.
First, ask yourself, “With the power of the Holy Spirit, can I let go of . . . (and name the particular sin you want gone). Then make a definite decision, “yes”, meaning that you believe it is possible to let go of that particular sin. This works. When I was first listening and going along with this instruction, I said that I could let go of the thing I wanted gone with ridicule and laughter. I did not really believe it could work. That was late on a Monday night. Three days later, on Thursday morning I became aware that the thing was gone and had been since that Monday night. It had worked and I didn’t even believe in it!
Second, ask yourself, “Will I let go of it?”, naming the specific thing you want to let go of. That first time I when responded, I was thinking it was quite funny, and that something so simple could not work. But, even though I was ridiculing this method, I was sincere in my desire about what I wanted gone in my life. And, it worked! All that is important in this second step is that you really do want the specific thing gone.
The third and last step in this decision-making process is to ask yourself, “When do I want this thing gone?” Your answer should be, “Now.”
Here is an example if it was coveting that you wanted gone from your life. This decision-making method uses three words, Could I?, Would I?, and When? Or Can I?, Will I?, and When?
Here is an example if it was coveting that you wanted gone from your life.
Could I stop coveting what others have? Can I stop wanting what others have? “Yes.”
Would I stop coveting what others have? Will I stop wanting what others have? “Yes.”
When do I want to do this? “Now.”
The Bible does not always say that we need to struggle to obey Scripture. It often just tells us to make a decision.
Do not be anxious about anything . . . .
Phil 4:6a
Phil 4:6a
The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4 does not instruct us to struggle to let go of anxiety, but to know that Jesus is by our side and decide to not be anxious about the troubles in our lives.
So, we can begin picking one sin at a time after another to put to death by making one decision after another. We can pursue holiness and righteousness this way.
Seeing that the method worked, I ordered the set of cassette tapes. The material was too extreme and in some ways counter to biblical truth, but I did learn one more valuable thing, and that was that the same method of letting go of things could be used to bring things into my life. This too can be quite valuable, so here is an example of that.
Can I invite peace into my life about this issue? Could I do this? “Yes.”
Will I invite peace into my life about this issue? Would I do this? “Yes.”
When will I invite peace into my life about this issue? “Now.”
Individually, we need to have faith that the power of God in our lives can purify us and that we can pursue holiness and righteousness. If we work on our individual purity, then we will bring that holiness and righteousness into the Christian groups we belong to and be surprised that holiness and righteousness is possible and achieved at times by our Christian friendships, Christian families, Christian marriages, and even Christian small groups.
A Christian friendship group, a Christian family, and a Christian marriage can be sinful and not do what God wants them to do. But, they also can obey and do what the Lord says to be done. Remember that God called His people Israel to be holy. Remember that the Apostle Peter in his first letter was speaking to all of us together, not just individuals.
So, we can begin picking one sin at a time after another to put to death by making one decision after another. We can pursue holiness and righteousness this way.
Seeing that the method worked, I ordered the set of cassette tapes. The material was too extreme and in some ways counter to biblical truth, but I did learn one more valuable thing, and that was that the same method of letting go of things could be used to bring things into my life. This too can be quite valuable, so here is an example of that.
Can I invite peace into my life about this issue? Could I do this? “Yes.”
Will I invite peace into my life about this issue? Would I do this? “Yes.”
When will I invite peace into my life about this issue? “Now.”
Individually, we need to have faith that the power of God in our lives can purify us and that we can pursue holiness and righteousness. If we work on our individual purity, then we will bring that holiness and righteousness into the Christian groups we belong to and be surprised that holiness and righteousness is possible and achieved at times by our Christian friendships, Christian families, Christian marriages, and even Christian small groups.
A Christian friendship group, a Christian family, and a Christian marriage can be sinful and not do what God wants them to do. But, they also can obey and do what the Lord says to be done. Remember that God called His people Israel to be holy. Remember that the Apostle Peter in his first letter was speaking to all of us together, not just individuals.
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”
1 Peter 1:15
1 Peter 1:15
Let’s look at a couple of examples to see how holiness is much more possible by a friendship group than each friend in the group, much more possible by a family even though family members will sin, much more possible by a marriage than by either the husband or the wife.
Suppose a husband and wife are unjustifiably angry with each other. Those of us married have experienced this. So, the angry husband and wife are not holy. Can the marriage be holy? Well, not automatically or God would not have had to command holiness. But, if the marriage of the two spouses together does what God asks, the marriage is holy while the husband and wife are not. So, if the husband and wife submit to God, make their marriage more important than other things, work together to solve problems, see that truth is spoken in love, assure that self-denying love (agape) predominates and eventually wins out, seek and give forgiveness – then the marriage has operated righteously. The marriage is in this sense a separate entity with the possibility of being obedient, and thus at that time and place holy and righteous.
A Christian friendship group of three having a meal in a restaurant can get very close to holiness, much more so than any of the three friends in their individual thoughts and actions during that lunchtime. One friend expresses that he hates his supervisor at work. His holiness just crashed. But the other two friends implement various Togethers and help the first to see his boss and the situation with more understanding. They point out that the boss’s ability to be fair is hindered by the devil and that he is unable to act righteously because he does not know God and is caught up in the dog-eat-dog culture outside of Christianity. They examine their friend’s understanding of his faith and encourage him to let the Holy Spirit help him react to the situation like Jesus would, using an attitude similar to that of Jesus when He was being crucified. They help the struggling friend to forgive his supervisor’s offensive behavior.
Even though the two faithful friends who helped probably did not do a righteous job, and may have even struggled themselves with sinful thoughts, the friendship as a whole could have been righteous and holy in this instance. The friendship is more than its parts. God would have looked down on the three friends as one “whole”. The friendship did what the Lord would have it do. The friendship was holy even though the parts making up the friendship, the individuals, were much less righteous and holy.
In this second example, there were four entities: Friend #1, Friend #2, Friend #3, and the Friendship. The first three entities were too flawed to achieve as much holiness and righteousness as could the Friendship.
Thus, we can see why God’s command to be holy was given to groups of believers rather than individuals. While we each individually are to be working at becoming more holy, the command is for us to be holy in the Christian groups in which we find ourselves.
To make holiness and righteousness more likely in our Christian friendship groups, our families, and our marriages, we still need to be developing individual righteousness and holiness. But the end goal is holiness and righteousness as a group. Our friendship groups are to be dedicated to God and to doing what He has commanded when Christians get together. As such, holiness and righteousness are possible. The same goes for families and marriages to be dedicated to God and do what He wants them to do in the situations they face.
There are a great many ways in which holiness and righteousness can be pursued when Christians meet in larger fellowships. But in the context of fellowship, we are seeking group holiness, not the holiness of individuals. We can see how this works if we consider musical worship. Scripture clearly shows that God seeks to be praised in song. But most of us are not skilled or talented musicians. No matter how hard we try, our untutored singing will not result in the righteous expression of musical praise. However, we can still participate in the most exquisite musical praises to God through a choir (remember those?) or another form of musical performance by those with the skills we lack. Old Testament passages indicate that a choir represented the whole congregation in its singing. That choir could come much closer to a righteous expression of musical praise than could individuals in the congregation. By listening closely to the congregation's representative, the choir, the whole of Israel could become part of the musical worship. As God accepted the praise of the choir, He was not only pleased with the singers, but with the listeners. As musicians sincerely sing their beautiful praises and we silently repeat the words of praise to God, together we attain a level of righteousness and holiness that is quite beyond that of a single individual.
However, the perfect size to maintain holiness in the bulk of life are Christian friendships, families and marriages that have set themselves apart for God. That is, if they are devoted to Him and His wishes for those friendships, families and marriages, as well as the individuals making them up.
Individual holiness can easily break down. But in small, intimate, trusting relationships with Scripture as their guide, Christians can empower one another to holiness and righteousness. When one person is disobedient and does not feel like praying, holiness and righteousness can still happen, maintaining "corporate" obedience regarding prayer. When the hope of one or two friends or family members is weak, the group's hope can still be strong.
The way for us to be holy in our Christian friendship groups, in our marriages, and in our families is to do the Togethers as they apply to each situation. The Togethers are just applications of Scriptures. They are biblical obedience. When done, they create holiness and righteousness in the friendship, family or marriage. And God’s command is then obeyed.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Suppose a husband and wife are unjustifiably angry with each other. Those of us married have experienced this. So, the angry husband and wife are not holy. Can the marriage be holy? Well, not automatically or God would not have had to command holiness. But, if the marriage of the two spouses together does what God asks, the marriage is holy while the husband and wife are not. So, if the husband and wife submit to God, make their marriage more important than other things, work together to solve problems, see that truth is spoken in love, assure that self-denying love (agape) predominates and eventually wins out, seek and give forgiveness – then the marriage has operated righteously. The marriage is in this sense a separate entity with the possibility of being obedient, and thus at that time and place holy and righteous.
A Christian friendship group of three having a meal in a restaurant can get very close to holiness, much more so than any of the three friends in their individual thoughts and actions during that lunchtime. One friend expresses that he hates his supervisor at work. His holiness just crashed. But the other two friends implement various Togethers and help the first to see his boss and the situation with more understanding. They point out that the boss’s ability to be fair is hindered by the devil and that he is unable to act righteously because he does not know God and is caught up in the dog-eat-dog culture outside of Christianity. They examine their friend’s understanding of his faith and encourage him to let the Holy Spirit help him react to the situation like Jesus would, using an attitude similar to that of Jesus when He was being crucified. They help the struggling friend to forgive his supervisor’s offensive behavior.
Even though the two faithful friends who helped probably did not do a righteous job, and may have even struggled themselves with sinful thoughts, the friendship as a whole could have been righteous and holy in this instance. The friendship is more than its parts. God would have looked down on the three friends as one “whole”. The friendship did what the Lord would have it do. The friendship was holy even though the parts making up the friendship, the individuals, were much less righteous and holy.
In this second example, there were four entities: Friend #1, Friend #2, Friend #3, and the Friendship. The first three entities were too flawed to achieve as much holiness and righteousness as could the Friendship.
Thus, we can see why God’s command to be holy was given to groups of believers rather than individuals. While we each individually are to be working at becoming more holy, the command is for us to be holy in the Christian groups in which we find ourselves.
To make holiness and righteousness more likely in our Christian friendship groups, our families, and our marriages, we still need to be developing individual righteousness and holiness. But the end goal is holiness and righteousness as a group. Our friendship groups are to be dedicated to God and to doing what He has commanded when Christians get together. As such, holiness and righteousness are possible. The same goes for families and marriages to be dedicated to God and do what He wants them to do in the situations they face.
There are a great many ways in which holiness and righteousness can be pursued when Christians meet in larger fellowships. But in the context of fellowship, we are seeking group holiness, not the holiness of individuals. We can see how this works if we consider musical worship. Scripture clearly shows that God seeks to be praised in song. But most of us are not skilled or talented musicians. No matter how hard we try, our untutored singing will not result in the righteous expression of musical praise. However, we can still participate in the most exquisite musical praises to God through a choir (remember those?) or another form of musical performance by those with the skills we lack. Old Testament passages indicate that a choir represented the whole congregation in its singing. That choir could come much closer to a righteous expression of musical praise than could individuals in the congregation. By listening closely to the congregation's representative, the choir, the whole of Israel could become part of the musical worship. As God accepted the praise of the choir, He was not only pleased with the singers, but with the listeners. As musicians sincerely sing their beautiful praises and we silently repeat the words of praise to God, together we attain a level of righteousness and holiness that is quite beyond that of a single individual.
However, the perfect size to maintain holiness in the bulk of life are Christian friendships, families and marriages that have set themselves apart for God. That is, if they are devoted to Him and His wishes for those friendships, families and marriages, as well as the individuals making them up.
Individual holiness can easily break down. But in small, intimate, trusting relationships with Scripture as their guide, Christians can empower one another to holiness and righteousness. When one person is disobedient and does not feel like praying, holiness and righteousness can still happen, maintaining "corporate" obedience regarding prayer. When the hope of one or two friends or family members is weak, the group's hope can still be strong.
The way for us to be holy in our Christian friendship groups, in our marriages, and in our families is to do the Togethers as they apply to each situation. The Togethers are just applications of Scriptures. They are biblical obedience. When done, they create holiness and righteousness in the friendship, family or marriage. And God’s command is then obeyed.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Jacob and Vivian had been fighting in their marriage almost from the beginning. After ten years, they were contacting lawyers to get a divorce. However, two things held them back – their kids’ welfare and knowing that their faith in Christ did not encompass breaking up the family. Two of their three kids started having serious trouble in school, one for fighting and one suddenly failing her tests. And, although they had not gone to church since moving to town four years ago, they were both nagged by what they knew was right.
Jacob mentioned that he was filing for a divorce when he had lunch with a Christian friend he hadn’t seen for a long time who was in town for a business convention. The friend helped Jacob see the wisdom of trying to live God’s way for the sake of his children. The friend also challenged Jacob and Vivian’s competition with one another as to who was more right and who more wrong. Vivian agreed with Jacob when he suggested that they return to a commitment to God and become dedicated to Him to see if that would save their marriage. In this decision to pursue holiness together, they included seeking out a church with a program that would provide people to help them live God’s way in their marriage. |
Jesus was completely dedicated to God the Father. He set Himself aside for the work of God. When we do so more and more, we increasingly become like Jesus.
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will
of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
John 4:34
of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
John 4:34
We pursue holiness and righteousness together. We definitely need one another’s help to keep turning away from our own agenda and steer toward God’s. Jesus turned away from any other agenda than God’s purpose. Since we are not righteous as was Jesus, let’s not be so foolish as to think we can stay focused on God and His ways by ourselves. Such autonomous living is foolish, dangerous, disobedient, and has no place in the Christian’s life.
And, we must not consider going to church as meeting the requirement to pursue holiness together. None of us would think that helping Jesus finish His Father’s work (see above verse) can be adequately done in a church service or program. Attending a church service is important, but it is just preparation for being the church. It is only the important coaching session for the real game that exists largely off the church grounds.
We must remember that to become like Jesus, to grow in Christlikeness, we need to start by thinking like Jesus and then take it into the complexities of normal life. Jesus did not spend His time sitting on a rock and studying the Scriptures. He took it to the highways and the byways where people were struggling. And, He took his disciples with Him. Being holy went beyond thinking holy. We must measure our advancement in holiness and righteousness by our interaction with the world and its people, especially those within the family of faith.
Unfortunately, it is more natural to consider the Holy Spirit’s leading and empowerment when we are alone. It is much easier because of less distractions. But, we must learn to be led and empowered by the Spirit when with other people. This is much more difficult. Not for the Holy Spirit who works with our weak-mindedness, but for us to remember to “tune in” to His frequency and hear his guidance so that we allow His fruit (Gal 5:22-23) to manifest in our Christian social interactions. The Holy Spirit wants to help us be holy and righteous when we are together in our Christian friendships, families and marriages.
Here again, we can be very helpful to one another by redirecting our social interactions toward dedication to God and holiness. At any one time, place and circumstance, it takes only one person to keep the friendship, family or marriage on track with God and His purposes.
Let’s do this! Let’s take an active role in keeping our relationships consecrated to God as continually as we can. Let’s be focused on God as was and still is Jesus.
Opportunity to Worship God
And, we must not consider going to church as meeting the requirement to pursue holiness together. None of us would think that helping Jesus finish His Father’s work (see above verse) can be adequately done in a church service or program. Attending a church service is important, but it is just preparation for being the church. It is only the important coaching session for the real game that exists largely off the church grounds.
We must remember that to become like Jesus, to grow in Christlikeness, we need to start by thinking like Jesus and then take it into the complexities of normal life. Jesus did not spend His time sitting on a rock and studying the Scriptures. He took it to the highways and the byways where people were struggling. And, He took his disciples with Him. Being holy went beyond thinking holy. We must measure our advancement in holiness and righteousness by our interaction with the world and its people, especially those within the family of faith.
Unfortunately, it is more natural to consider the Holy Spirit’s leading and empowerment when we are alone. It is much easier because of less distractions. But, we must learn to be led and empowered by the Spirit when with other people. This is much more difficult. Not for the Holy Spirit who works with our weak-mindedness, but for us to remember to “tune in” to His frequency and hear his guidance so that we allow His fruit (Gal 5:22-23) to manifest in our Christian social interactions. The Holy Spirit wants to help us be holy and righteous when we are together in our Christian friendships, families and marriages.
Here again, we can be very helpful to one another by redirecting our social interactions toward dedication to God and holiness. At any one time, place and circumstance, it takes only one person to keep the friendship, family or marriage on track with God and His purposes.
Let’s do this! Let’s take an active role in keeping our relationships consecrated to God as continually as we can. Let’s be focused on God as was and still is Jesus.
Opportunity to Worship God
It is not unusual for someone to come into a meeting of Jim's small group disgruntled. The group is able to handle it though, because it is committed to "group holiness," as the people of God are commanded together to "Be holy, because I am holy." (Lev 19:1-2; 1 Pet 1:15) The group lets people expose their nasty side and gently interacts until the devil no longer has his unrighteous ways in group member’s lives.
Just the other night a deacon named Sam said that he had not been able to pray for almost two weeks. The group heard him out, shared relevant scripture passages with him and prayed for him. Before the prayer was finished, the deacon was back in communication with the Lord. The group that night glorified God with purity and holiness. Although one group member had a sinful attitude and said some sinful things, the group itself remained holy and did what God asked of it. Each member of the group probably sinned that night, but the group as a whole offered holiness to the Lord. God accepted this as excellent worship. |
God’s own character is the basis for all holiness. Nothing else can adequately define “holy”.
God has given us power in community to pursue holiness and righteousness together. When we do so, we are constantly reminded of His far superior holiness and righteousness. This causes us to stand in awe of God, which worshipfully reflects back to Him that He is holy and righteous.
Plus, when we help one another individually to stay dedicated to God or return Him to top priority, that is also worship.
But, it is when we, in our smallest, closest Christian relationships, actually acquire holiness in our obedience together that we most reflect back to God His own holiness, especially His trinitaarian holiness as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Also, consider this. Most use of the word “holy” in the New Testament is in the name of the Holy Spirit. Together we are to be holy and reflect the absolute dedication of the Holy Spirit to God the Father and God the Son. This can be easy because the Holy Spirit is the source of our holiness as He lives in us and empowers us.
God has given us power in community to pursue holiness and righteousness together. When we do so, we are constantly reminded of His far superior holiness and righteousness. This causes us to stand in awe of God, which worshipfully reflects back to Him that He is holy and righteous.
Plus, when we help one another individually to stay dedicated to God or return Him to top priority, that is also worship.
But, it is when we, in our smallest, closest Christian relationships, actually acquire holiness in our obedience together that we most reflect back to God His own holiness, especially His trinitaarian holiness as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Also, consider this. Most use of the word “holy” in the New Testament is in the name of the Holy Spirit. Together we are to be holy and reflect the absolute dedication of the Holy Spirit to God the Father and God the Son. This can be easy because the Holy Spirit is the source of our holiness as He lives in us and empowers us.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple
and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?
If anyone destroys God’s temple,
God will destroy that person;
for God’s temple is sacred,
and you together are that temple.
1 Cor 3:16-17
and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?
If anyone destroys God’s temple,
God will destroy that person;
for God’s temple is sacred,
and you together are that temple.
1 Cor 3:16-17
This verse alone should destroy any belief that we can offer God much worship alone. The temple is not a single stone.
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans
but chosen by God and precious to him --
you also, like living stones, are being built
into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5
but chosen by God and precious to him --
you also, like living stones, are being built
into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5
And this holy temple which we are to be should not be removed from secular society. It is to be set apart for God alone, but it is to be visible to those who are not part of this human, holy temple. As we know, we are to be in the world but not of the world. We are to be holy, set apart for God through His righteousness in us.
Still, we each must become a beautiful, individual stone for the flesh-and-blood temple that praises God. This is done by much individual spiritual growth, which requires help from one another. We do this as instructed in the writings of the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome.
Still, we each must become a beautiful, individual stone for the flesh-and-blood temple that praises God. This is done by much individual spiritual growth, which requires help from one another. We do this as instructed in the writings of the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
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Rom 12:1-2
This passage from the Bible offers the blueprint for being our part in the holy temple which expresses itself in our Christian relationships. When those in our Christian Inner Circles offer themselves to God as holy sacrifices by not going along with the world and yet having God’s thoughts to do His will, then all are doing their parts. Together they are pursuing holiness and righteousness.
Let’s give God our own individual holy dedication. But, let’s even more so give Him our corporate, purer holiness, through our Christian friendships, families, and marriages dedicated to God by seeing that our interactions are obedient to the Scriptures. Let’s worship Him more and more in the way of holiness.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
Let’s give God our own individual holy dedication. But, let’s even more so give Him our corporate, purer holiness, through our Christian friendships, families, and marriages dedicated to God by seeing that our interactions are obedient to the Scriptures. Let’s worship Him more and more in the way of holiness.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
(Unlike the other vignettes in Crucibles, this one is true
and can be examined in the Bible in the book of Job.)
and can be examined in the Bible in the book of Job.)
Job has been in heaven for a long time. On Earth Satan took 10 children from him with the permission of God. Of lesser importance, the devil destroyed all of Job’s wealth. Remarkably, when that happened Job stayed true to God. Then God permitted Satan to give Job an incredibly painful disease. And still Job remained true to God and thought no evil of Him.
Satan was defeated by Job’s dedication to God and righteous holiness. Job kept God absolutely first in responding to whatever harm God let come into his life. |
I doubt that we could ever become as holy and righteous as Job. The first two chapters of Job in the Bible set a very high standard for holiness and dedication to God. Yet, Job’s history is quite helpful to inspire holiness in us when we face difficult situations.
Holiness is essential to defeating Satan. Dedication to God is necessary to glorify God, as well as to proclaim salvation through Jesus Christ.
Holiness is essential to defeating Satan. Dedication to God is necessary to glorify God, as well as to proclaim salvation through Jesus Christ.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone
and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Heb 12:14
and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Heb 12:14
There are many reasons that the devil wants us to think unholy thoughts and do sinful things. First and foremost, such evil thinking and doing disgraces God, which is the prime objective of Satan. Second, it ruins the temple that reflects worship to God, for we together are that temple. And, third, it clouds our witness to a watching world, often needed in order for unbelievers to see the Lord.
The devil puts sinful as well as “detour” thoughts into our minds. He can do this by bringing difficulty into our lives to get us to take our minds off of what God is doing and worry about things. He has also sown sinfulness into the world way back in the Garden of Eden to keep alive self-centeredness throughout the generations of men. And through unseen evil spiritual forces, he occasionally puts thoughts into our minds.
When life gets unbearably hard, we need help from one another to stay holy, to stay committed to God’s honor, to remain dedicated to our Lord. Not only should we quickly seek help to maintain our holiness, but we should be quick to see the need to bolster someone else’s purity in times of trial. We know that if we do so, we will grow in godliness, holiness, and purity.
The devil puts sinful as well as “detour” thoughts into our minds. He can do this by bringing difficulty into our lives to get us to take our minds off of what God is doing and worry about things. He has also sown sinfulness into the world way back in the Garden of Eden to keep alive self-centeredness throughout the generations of men. And through unseen evil spiritual forces, he occasionally puts thoughts into our minds.
When life gets unbearably hard, we need help from one another to stay holy, to stay committed to God’s honor, to remain dedicated to our Lord. Not only should we quickly seek help to maintain our holiness, but we should be quick to see the need to bolster someone else’s purity in times of trial. We know that if we do so, we will grow in godliness, holiness, and purity.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith
produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith
produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
If we recognize things coming into our minds that are evil, we can then rebuke the devil and tell him to leave. Those thoughts should be easy to dismiss. However, it may be wise in each situation to review with someone in our Christian Inner Circle the aspect of righteousness that Satan might be attacking.
For example, if a thought comes of desire for the wife or husband of another, it can easily be seen as coming from Satan and, hopefully, be easily dismissed. But, it is also a time to realize that we are under attack and that should lead to examination of what the devil might be trying to accomplish. It might be good to examine the relationship with our spouse and how to avoid things that could lead to marital infidelity. Telling a trusted friend about the thought (which, having been rejected, is not sin and only temptation) expands the fight against the evil one. This is very good. When Satan sees that his temptations and evil thoughts lead to increased righteousness or commitment to God, he will back off and present far fewer unwelcome thoughts.
Sometimes a thought will come into our minds that just sort of feels wrong. This is the time to really make sure that we talk it over with a trusted Christian from our Inner Circle. Satan is most effective when he is subtle.
We can also be a whole lot more active in protecting the holiness of other Christians in our Inner Circle if we remember that holiness is not a private, individual thing. Remembering that the holiness that most glorifies God is corporate purity, we will be more aware that Satan is quite interested in ruining corporate holiness and purity, even more than individual piety.
What happens when our friendships, family, or marriage are “off the clock” – when we are not so conscious of the need to be holy? Are there crude jokes? Gossip? The list of deviations from God’s choice for our friendships, families and marriages is extensive. We must work at recognizing such temptations as attacks from the dark spirit world with which we wrestle.
For example, if a thought comes of desire for the wife or husband of another, it can easily be seen as coming from Satan and, hopefully, be easily dismissed. But, it is also a time to realize that we are under attack and that should lead to examination of what the devil might be trying to accomplish. It might be good to examine the relationship with our spouse and how to avoid things that could lead to marital infidelity. Telling a trusted friend about the thought (which, having been rejected, is not sin and only temptation) expands the fight against the evil one. This is very good. When Satan sees that his temptations and evil thoughts lead to increased righteousness or commitment to God, he will back off and present far fewer unwelcome thoughts.
Sometimes a thought will come into our minds that just sort of feels wrong. This is the time to really make sure that we talk it over with a trusted Christian from our Inner Circle. Satan is most effective when he is subtle.
We can also be a whole lot more active in protecting the holiness of other Christians in our Inner Circle if we remember that holiness is not a private, individual thing. Remembering that the holiness that most glorifies God is corporate purity, we will be more aware that Satan is quite interested in ruining corporate holiness and purity, even more than individual piety.
What happens when our friendships, family, or marriage are “off the clock” – when we are not so conscious of the need to be holy? Are there crude jokes? Gossip? The list of deviations from God’s choice for our friendships, families and marriages is extensive. We must work at recognizing such temptations as attacks from the dark spirit world with which we wrestle.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Eph 6:12
but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Eph 6:12
We want to bring others into the spiritual battle and resist being lone fighters. Seeing unholiness in our most cherished relationships is alarming. Like setting off an alarm in a building on fire, we need to bring in help to battle whatever the devil has set in motion in our own activities or those of Christians in our Inner Circle.
Let’s put on our spiritual armor of holiness and take our stand together. Let’s battle Satan and his evil by pursuing holiness and righteousness together.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
Let’s put on our spiritual armor of holiness and take our stand together. Let’s battle Satan and his evil by pursuing holiness and righteousness together.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
The Hampo Family has had just one bad thing happen after another. Car crashes, a closed-head injury, loss of dependable income, you name it; there is a good chance it has happened over the past 5 years. The parents struggled with why these things seemed only to be happening to them, not to any others in their church or circle of Christian friends.
First, they thought that they were under attack from the devil. But, close friends explored this with them and could not find that they were doing anything so special for God that Satan might want to stop them. After months, with openness driven by desperation to bring the negative things to an end, they and their friends discovered that most of what they were doing in the way of Christian activities was to get God to help them rather than to honor God as the first consideration. Actually, it was Zechariah 7:4-6 that exposed their lack of concern for God in offering half-hearted devotion through ritualistic church-going and Bible reading to obligate God to protect them. As they and their friends took this to prayer, another thing seemed to be revealed by the Holy Spirit. This was that the Lord designed the Hampo Family to do some really important things for Him. The Hampos began to see their troubles in light of Jonah being swallowed by a giant fish to get him to do what God wanted him to do. Feeling good that God thought them capable of doing something for His work in a hurting world, the Hampo Family consciously decided to work together as a family and pursue true holiness and righteousness. They spent time separating themselves from their own goals and began looking for what God wanted from them. God looked on and was pleased that the Hampo Family was preparing for their real life in heaven in the future. Bad things began to disappear from their lives. |
Is it possible to grow in holiness and righteousness in heaven? It seems like we will. And, without the interference of sin, we should be able to grow in holiness much faster.
Here is the question: Will we be able to progress at a faster pace if we learned to grow in holiness and righteousness because of more dedication to God back before we died? Why not? Practice builds strength, especially if that practice is against the tougher odds of sinful culture.
None of us in heaven will ever be as holy as our Savior. But, we will want to keep on acquiring more and more of His nature. Once we get to heaven, might not God want us to become even more like His Son?
We will still need our Savior’s righteousness to qualify to be citizens of heaven, but it is for God’s further honor that we continue to grow into more righteousness. In effect, heaven can be the school for holiness and righteousness. We won’t have unrighteousness, but there will be more and more righteousness to be acquired. First, we are righteous by the covering of Christ and are admitted to God’s kingdom. Then later in heaven we can actually become more and more righteous into Him. Maybe now we are 12-carat gold covered in Christ’s thousand-carat gold coat, but in heaven we will slowly but surely be transformed to 13-carat and then 14-carat and so on, absorbing the coat more and more, little by little, into ourselves.
Here is the question: Will we be able to progress at a faster pace if we learned to grow in holiness and righteousness because of more dedication to God back before we died? Why not? Practice builds strength, especially if that practice is against the tougher odds of sinful culture.
None of us in heaven will ever be as holy as our Savior. But, we will want to keep on acquiring more and more of His nature. Once we get to heaven, might not God want us to become even more like His Son?
We will still need our Savior’s righteousness to qualify to be citizens of heaven, but it is for God’s further honor that we continue to grow into more righteousness. In effect, heaven can be the school for holiness and righteousness. We won’t have unrighteousness, but there will be more and more righteousness to be acquired. First, we are righteous by the covering of Christ and are admitted to God’s kingdom. Then later in heaven we can actually become more and more righteous into Him. Maybe now we are 12-carat gold covered in Christ’s thousand-carat gold coat, but in heaven we will slowly but surely be transformed to 13-carat and then 14-carat and so on, absorbing the coat more and more, little by little, into ourselves.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Eph 1:4
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Eph 1:4
If such transformation might be accelerated by pursuing holiness and righteousness together here and now, let’s do it. Let’s do it because God commands it. But, let’s also do it in case it opens up faster growth in holiness and righteousness in heaven when we get there because we have been previously focused on being holy. In heaven we will not be held back by sin. So, let’s be empowered by our previous commitment and take off running in pursuit of more holiness and righteousness when we get to heaven. All to more glorify God.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:11-13
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While we are waiting for heaven, we are to live holy lives, and somehow that speeds the return of Jesus Christ. We cannot read the last petition of the Bible, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” and not want to hurry his arrival by pursuing holiness and righteousness together.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
You know how in the Bible it says that if everything were written about Jesus’ life, the whole world would not be able to contain them? (John 21:25) Well, it’s true. My friend Lincoln and I are in the library of heaven which is on a planet ten times larger than Earth where there is room for all those books. They contain so many more aspects of Jesus’ holiness, righteousness, and purity than is in the Bible.
Lincoln and I are here with 4 other friends to search for what new portion of Christ’s righteousness we want to go after as a group of friends who before death all took pursuing righteousness seriously. We have all been here for 30 years and we have still not scratched even the surface of all the areas we can yet become more like our Savior and King. That does not worry us as we have all eternity and know that is still not enough time. And, note that these new ways of godly character are not gained in any way by overcoming sin. We left sin behind 30 years ago. And, we know that it is the same here in heaven as it was before death. We need each others’ help to reach our new goals for additional holiness. And, we don’t stop helping one another and go on to gain another righteousness until we all conquer the one we are working on presently. |
Every time in this life before death that we stop thinking some long-standing unrighteous thought, judging another or even ourselves, or ending some sinful behavior, it feels very, very good. Here and now, it is freeing and it is joyful. This same satifaction will continue in heaven where holiness and righteousness can be pursued unhindered by sin.
Because we learned to seek holiness and righteousness together with other Christians before heaven, we will continue the habit in heaven. It won’t be to overcome sin, but it will be growth from one level of holiness and righteousness to another. Like climbing a mountain, it will be great to reach new heights of Christlikeness. Hopefully, a blooming plant rejoices every time it puts out a new flower as praise to God. In heaven, may we all experience such joy when we blossom a bit more.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Eternity
Because we learned to seek holiness and righteousness together with other Christians before heaven, we will continue the habit in heaven. It won’t be to overcome sin, but it will be growth from one level of holiness and righteousness to another. Like climbing a mountain, it will be great to reach new heights of Christlikeness. Hopefully, a blooming plant rejoices every time it puts out a new flower as praise to God. In heaven, may we all experience such joy when we blossom a bit more.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Eternity
Only that part of me that was like Jesus came here to heaven. That was the level of holiness and righteousness with which I began my eternal life beyond the barrier of death. Now and forever, the closeness of my relationship with God will be determined by how much like Him I am. Therefore, I am glad that with my friends, family, and wife I sought ever more holiness and righteousness.
Now I am pursuing more and more holiness and deeper levels of commitment to God. I am completely happy because I have as much fullness and nearness with God as is my present capacity. But, it is increasing. I am growing to be more like Him as I pursue more holiness and righteousness and gain more of God’s character. Every time I achieve a new likeness to Jesus, believe it or not, I feel the change. I notice an increased awareness of God with me and within me. |
What if closeness with God in heaven is also infusion into His very character and nature? Growth in holiness is actually that. Aligning more with Him. Joining into His work. Becoming more one with Him. Allowing His character to penetrate a little further into who we are. More than just being physically nearer to God, our spirit might be more joined with God whose nature is Spirit. There will be nothing to cloud the comprehension of God Himself. No sin barrier to stop the osmosis of God into our very being, little by little as we continue to pursue holiness and righteousness together. We won’t become God, but He will become more a part of us. And we will be in His presence a little more than before. In this way, closeness with God in heaven may be a matter of perceiving Him inside of us. After all, there will be no sin to cloud such perception in our spirits.
Even now before death we can sense a bit of those we love “inside” of us. A husband and wife will have shared values, for example. And even families have their own cultures or ways that infuse and unite them.
I am sure a scientist could come up with something better, but to me this can be illustrated by water. There is more hydrogen in the universe than oxygen. So, hydrogen will be God and we will be oxygen. In heaven there will be a process of righteousness that brings the hydrogen and oxygen together to form water, H-2-0. Obviously, there always will be more of God in the mixture, but we are less and less separated and more and more joined. We do not become God, we do not become hydrogen. But, we are closer than when we were “free range” oxygen.
In any case, it must be that the holier lives we live here, the closer relationship with God in heaven is possible from the start. Then, that closeness will grow as we invite more of God into us by pursuing additional holiness and righteousness.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Totally Righteous and Holy God, help me to hunger and thirst for righteousness so much that I pursue holiness and righteousness together in my closest Christian relationships. Please receive any increase in holiness as true and proper worship. You are worth more and more righteousness in me and in those of my Christian Inner Circle. Help us to value You such that we together continually seek to advance in holy lives that honor You.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to hunger and thirst after righteousness. May the work of the Holy Spirit create holiness in our Christian friendships, Christian families and Christian marriages.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus by pursuing holiness and righteousness together in our Christian Inner Circles. Empower us to set ourselves aside for You, not just as individuals, but also in our expression as the bride of Christ. As Jesus was totally dedicated to You, Father, help us to be totally dedicated to Jesus as well as You.
May our lives worship You more because we consider Your desire that Your redeemed people are holy and live righteous lives. As we help one another live more completely for you, please consider it as worship because we are reflecting in a small way how You help us toward holiness and righteousness.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by dedicated holiness and righteousness. Help us to always remember that Satan brings things into our lives to detract us from pursuing holiness and more and more righteousness.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by becoming naturally assertive in pursuing holiness and righteousness. Then in heaven, as we learn more about Your holiness and right ways, we will already be in the habit of seeking the joy of the pursuit of holiness and righteousness.
Even now before death we can sense a bit of those we love “inside” of us. A husband and wife will have shared values, for example. And even families have their own cultures or ways that infuse and unite them.
I am sure a scientist could come up with something better, but to me this can be illustrated by water. There is more hydrogen in the universe than oxygen. So, hydrogen will be God and we will be oxygen. In heaven there will be a process of righteousness that brings the hydrogen and oxygen together to form water, H-2-0. Obviously, there always will be more of God in the mixture, but we are less and less separated and more and more joined. We do not become God, we do not become hydrogen. But, we are closer than when we were “free range” oxygen.
In any case, it must be that the holier lives we live here, the closer relationship with God in heaven is possible from the start. Then, that closeness will grow as we invite more of God into us by pursuing additional holiness and righteousness.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Totally Righteous and Holy God, help me to hunger and thirst for righteousness so much that I pursue holiness and righteousness together in my closest Christian relationships. Please receive any increase in holiness as true and proper worship. You are worth more and more righteousness in me and in those of my Christian Inner Circle. Help us to value You such that we together continually seek to advance in holy lives that honor You.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to hunger and thirst after righteousness. May the work of the Holy Spirit create holiness in our Christian friendships, Christian families and Christian marriages.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus by pursuing holiness and righteousness together in our Christian Inner Circles. Empower us to set ourselves aside for You, not just as individuals, but also in our expression as the bride of Christ. As Jesus was totally dedicated to You, Father, help us to be totally dedicated to Jesus as well as You.
May our lives worship You more because we consider Your desire that Your redeemed people are holy and live righteous lives. As we help one another live more completely for you, please consider it as worship because we are reflecting in a small way how You help us toward holiness and righteousness.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by dedicated holiness and righteousness. Help us to always remember that Satan brings things into our lives to detract us from pursuing holiness and more and more righteousness.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by becoming naturally assertive in pursuing holiness and righteousness. Then in heaven, as we learn more about Your holiness and right ways, we will already be in the habit of seeking the joy of the pursuit of holiness and righteousness.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.