Tag: holiness | Page 5

Godliness Is Not Optional

August 17, 2016 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

Peter, the apostle who cut the ear off the Roman soldier upon the arrest of Jesus… Peter, the man who denied Jesus three times during the trials of Christ… This same man grew to be a mature leader of the church. He is considered to be the leader of the first century church. He wrote two books of the New Testament. He is a major character in the Acts of the Apostles. His Gospel is related to us by John Mark in the Gospel of Mark.

It amazes me that a man with Peter’s flaws could go on to be such a man of God. His story is one of God’s mercy and grace. He exemplifies Apostle Paul’s assertion that God chooses the lowly and despised (1 Corinthians 1:28).

So, if one looks at the writing of Peter, what can we take away from his message? If we condense his work into one verse, it may be this:

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to [the return of Christ], be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

-2 Peter 3:14

To Peter, holiness and godliness were not an option. Our fear of God leads us to a deep relationship with God. Our relationship with God leads us into His love. Our love of God compels us to obey Him. Our obedience to Him allows Him to bestow upon us His holiness.

How, though, can I, a weak and sinful man, ever hope to achieve a close enough relationship to God that my sole desire is to please Him? The truth is, God has already given us the tools necessary to live a godly life. Peter assures us of this earlier in 2 Peter 1:3

…His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

What are those tools? Prayer, The Word of God, and fellowship with fellow believers. Peter summarizes this as the knowledge of Him who called us. How do we obtain knowledge of Him? Through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.

How do we live a holy life? Get to know God so well that our love for Him outshines our desire to sin.

Praise the Lord, I Saw the Light!

August 13, 2016 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

In Branson’s Marvel Cave, and many other caves around the world, there is a point at which the tour guide stops and asks everyone to remain perfectly still, and turns off the lights. If you have ever been on such a tour, you know that the darkness envelopes you. It is so thick and impenetrable that it weighs upon you like a shroud.

A few moments later, the guide turns on an insignificant, old fashioned penlight. At that point, one can here multiple sighs of relief, for in a world of utter darkness, the smallest of lights can point the way.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

– Matthew 5:16

At different points in the Gospel, Jesus says that He is the light (John 8:12), and He says that you and I are the light (Matthew 5:14-16). Both are true statements. When I look back on the state of my mind when I lived in sin, I realize now that there was no light in me. Had God not been merciful, I would have perished and spent eternity cast into utter darkness, in torment, drowning in endless fire. He showed me the Light, and – praise God – I followed that Light.

Now that He lives in me, His light shines through me (no credit to me). My prayer is that those around me may also see the light. I pray that everyone from my family to complete strangers may see something of Jesus in me, something that will compel them to follow the Light of Jesus Christ.

I was a fool to wander and stay

Straight is the gate and narrow’s the way

Now I have traded the wrong for the right

Praise the Lord, I Saw the Light.

– Hank Williams

Revival prayers

July 13, 2016 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

In 1857, our nation was tearing itself apart. Civil war was imminent, the economy was devastated. Unemployment and poverty was widespread. The world was headed for a brink and people knew it. They must prepare spiritually.

One man began to pray in a church near Wall Street. He hung posters and handed out flyers. Soon, five others joined him. Then forty. Then hundreds. Then thousands.

There was no preaching. Just earnest prayer for one another. They prayed to save families. They prayed for lives to be changed. They threw themselves on the altar of God and begged for mercy. The prayer meetings spread to Philadelphia, to Chicago, then across country, then to Europe.

Newspapers reported on its effects daily. There was no leader in this revival, no hysteria, no show, and little preaching. There were many changes lives.

Businesses nationwide began to close at noon to attend daily prayer. Most historians believe that 1 million souls were brought to salvation. Conservative estimates put that number at 300,000.

It began with one man’s desire to pray. Revival always begins in prayer. It is time once again for us to pray.