Struggling for Holiness?

Are struggling for holiness too? I believe we aren’t to be called humans if we don’t. Without thoughts, words we say and act we commit. Why do we do not holiness experience it more in daily living? Why do so many Christians feel constantly defeated in their struggle with sin? Let me share excerpts my notes from the book “Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges.

1.Our first problem is that our attitude towards sin is more self-centered than God-centered.

We are more concerned about our own “victory” over sin than we are about the fact that our sins grieve the heart of God.

We cannot tolerate failure in our struggle with sin chiefly because we are success-oriented, not because we know it is offensive to God.

We never see it aright until we see it as against God.-W.S. Plumer.

God want us to walk in obedience – not victory.
Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self. This is not to say that God doesn’t want us to experience victory, but rather to emphasize that victory is a byproduct of obedience.As we concentrate on living an obedient, holy life, we will certainly experience the joy of victory over sin.

2. Our second problem is that we have misunderstood “living by faith” (Galatians 2:20) to mean that no effort at holiness is required on our part. in fact, sometimes we have even suggested that any effort on our part is “of the flesh”.

The bible says, faith without action is dead. I strongly believe with this. Our faith in him should result not just NOUNS but VERBS. Verbs is testifies the integrity of Nouns. Christian needs personal exertion and work as well as faith. Thus, we have a personal responsibility for our walk of holiness. Now I’m not trying to sound like I’ve got it all already, I too am writing to myself with regards to this.

3. Our third problem is that we do not take some sin seriously. We have mentally categorized sins into that which is unacceptable and that which may be tolerated a bit.

Question here is, are we willing to call sin “sin” not because it is big or little, but because God’s law forbids it?

God does not require a perfect, sinless life to have fellowship with Him, But He does require that we be serious about holiness, that we grieve over sin in our lives instead of justifying it, and that we earnestly pursue holiness as a way of life.

related post : 3 Powerful Bible verses in attaining of holiness

God’s works or yours?

 The destined end of man is not happiness, nor health, but holiness. God’s one aim is the production of saints. He is not an eternal blessing machine for men; he did not come to save men out of pity ; he came to save men because he had created them to be holy. ”  

 - Oswald Chambers

“Let go and let God” , this was a catch from the late nineteen century. A college student is said to have written on six postcards the letters LETGOD and placed the six cards on the wall of his room. One day, the wind blew down the letter D. He is said to have discovered the secret of letting God control himself by letting go of himself. Many people have found the words helpful. However, they raise a serious issue about holiness over which Christians disagree.

Some see holiness as a work of God to which the Christian makes no contribution.my part as a Christian is simply to relinquish control. His part is to work through me. My efforts to strive after holiness will be unavailing. In me-that is, in my flesh-dwells no good thing so that I have nothing of value to contribute.

I therefore trust-that is, I rest in His goodness. I do not struggle to control my temper, but allow Christ to handle my angry feelings. I say with Paul, “Not I, but Christ.”It is a though, like a sea captain, I have been up to this point at the helm of my life, and now Another is going to take over. Even faith is seen as a positivity of will- a resting and relaxing, not a seizing or appropriating.

If yielding means bowing down to Him as King, let us day by day, hour by hour yield every part of our beings in allegiance to Him.  Let us reserve no part of our lives to serve selfish interests and ambitions. But having done that, let us assume the whole armor of God and by miraculous strength declare war on all that is evil within and without.

excerpts from the article Holiness by John White

HOLY E-MAIL

HOLY E-MAIL :

One day God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the rascally behavior that was going on.

So he called one of His angels and sent the angel to Earth for a time.

When he returned, he told God, ‘Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not.

God thought for a moment and said, ‘Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion.’

So God called another angel and sent him to Earth for a time.

When the angel returned he went to God and said, ‘Yes, it’s true. The Earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.’

God was not pleased. So He decided to e-mail the 5% that were good, because he wanted to encourage them, and give them a little something to help them keep going..

Do you know what the e-mail said?

Okay, I was just wondering, because I didn’t get one either.

One day God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the rascally behavior that was going on.

So he called one of His angels and sent the angel to Earth for a time.

When he returned, he told God, ‘Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not.

God thought for a moment and said, ‘Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion.’

So God called another angel and sent him to Earth for a time.

When the angel returned he went to God and said, ‘Yes, it’s true. The Earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.’

God was not pleased. So He decided to e-mail the 5% that were good, because he wanted to encourage them, and give them a little something to help them keep going..

Do you know what the e-mail said?

Okay, I was just wondering, because I didn’t get one either.

Holiness

According to Webster, “It is the state or quality of being holy; sanctity”.

Holiness, in the highest sense belongs to God.

Holiness bespeaks also the majesty and awesomeness of God.

He is majestic in holiness .

God demands that His people be holy.
Because the “enemy” is always out there waiting for someone he can “devour”.

He (the Satan) doesn’t care who you are even if you’re the pope or a pastor,a woman who grew up in a church, a believer who is wholeheartedly , sincerely, and purely devoted to Christ, satan can beguile and have one’s mind corrupted and seduced.

“Holiness is that condition of human nature wherein the love of God rules.” – james mudge

It is something we can not attain , but receive.

For only He is holy!

Left to ourselves we will not be and can’t be holy by any means except by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

Yet we are saved and called to be in his likeness, his h‌oliness
.

I like it when Paul said in 1st Corinthians 6:19-20

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

I want to share this beautiful song, actually it’s a favourite ……

“Holiness, holiness is what I long for.
Holiness is what I need.
Holiness, holiness is what You want from me.

[Chorus]

So take my heart and form it.
Take my mind; transform it.
Take my will; conform it

to Yours, to Yours, O Lord! “

I desire to be holy not religious.

Oh Lord i want to be holy for you. take me, mold me, use my life only for Your glory not mine!