As many are aware, these last 6 weeks I have been preaching and teaching about holiness on our Sunday mornings. My constant prayer has been that you would be encouraged in your faith journey and discover some of the deep mysteries of God’s amazing presence. I have had conversations with many of you as you’ve shared wonderful new discoveries about the power and presence of God in your life. Wonderful stuff. I have pressed two key issues over and over, because I think they are critical in putting into practice a genuine pursuit of God and, also, because I agree with the apostle Peter who said:
2 Peter 1:12-13 (NIV)
“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, …”
There are so many competing thoughts that rush around our heads every day that we do need reminding, and we do need to develop strong habits that break through that torrent of thoughts so that we can establish a solid path for our feet.
Proverbs 4:26 (KJV)
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
The pursuit of God is, at the same time, the pursuit of holiness. They are the same thing. So, when we pursue holiness, we are not pursuing a “thing”, we’re pursuing a person who, alone, is holy. He is THE holy one. The last two messages have focused on some practical “know how” so that we can effectively pursue God in such a way as to position ourselves so that He is able to sanctify us. A couple of the recurring scriptures I have used are below:
Leviticus 19:2 (NIV)
[God instructing Moses] "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’”
This is the same command repeated in the New Testament by the apostles for all God’s people. Why? God is (still) holy and His holy requirements do not change for any different cultural group of people who belong to God. (See, 1 Peter 1:16). Other important scriptures to which we’ve often referred are:
Leviticus 11:44 (NIV)
“I am the LORD your God, consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.”
Exodus 31:13 (NIV)
"Say to the Israelites, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.”
God calls His people to be holy because He is holy, but He also specifies how we are to do so, and that is through consecration, which is our part. Consecration for the ancient Israelites was taught them via a complex set of ritual practices that governed every aspect of their lives – twenty-four/seven. I mean every aspect from work, to eating, to health, to relationships, the sabbath, to marriage – absolutely everything. Israel was called to a lifestyle , or way of life, of holiness for a reason; that the glory, power, love, grace, kindness and generosity of God would be made visible in order that the whole world would be blessed. The Church is no different in this respect. We have been called to be holy for two main reasons. First, to be able to experience the rich and magnificent eternal life of God right now in everyday living and two, to be a blessing to the world also. So, although consecration for ancient Israel was to be taught by the laws God gave through Moses so that God could sanctify them (His part), it is different for the Church. The old covenant of the law was fulfilled by Christ on the cross and a new covenant was instituted. But the intent of both covenants was the same, that God’s holy requirements be met by His people.
Under this new covenant – a superior covenant that supersedes the former – God has written His “laws” on our hearts. This was achieved when we were born again – we were given a new, that is, sanctified spirit which is in constant communion with Holy Spirit. The tools by which we now develop a consecrated lifestyle are no longer the Levitical law, but the ministry of Holy Spirit, the Word of God, faith, the blood of Jesus Christ and the Altar. The last of these two agents of sanctification I will teach about this coming Sunday.
What does all this mean in practical terms? Not by means of the ancient law, but by means of these five agents, we are able to learn to consecrate ourselves so that the sanctifying work of God’s Spirit can constantly transform us.
The ancient laws, as a means of consecration, required intentionality and total commitment on the part of God’s people so that He could sanctify them. No consecration? No sanctification. It was that simple, and it still is. The same dedicated, committed intentionality is still required of God’s people today. And such a commitment is possible by faith – which God also gives us. Without faith we cannot do this. So, consecration is no accidental, occasional religious thing. It is a ruthless, intentional commitment to pursue holiness that gives space, cooperation and faithful yielding to our Sanctifier who makes us holy. Which is summed up thus:
Mark 12:29-30 (NIV)
“The most important one [law]” answered Jesus, “is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'”
This is about total commitment, friends, and this is not a popular message amongst the Church today, but it is still true – and is as important as ever! We have been saved, and then called to be holy.
Romans 1:7 (NIV)
“To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be His holy people:”
1 Corinthians 1:2 (NIV)
“To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be His holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:”
2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, …”
So, holiness for God’s people is not some outmoded Old Testament doctrinal relic. Holiness under both covenants was always – and remains – God’s ultimate objective for us. Consecration is our committed and humble focus that reverently yields every aspect of our lives to God’s sanctifying work. God’s sanctifying work is THE ONLY thing that transforms us. And this transformation, as the effects of sin are cleansed from us, allows the new nature of Christ to be gloriously, joyfully perfected in us. It is also, the personal and intentional, voluntary act of dedicating my life, time, talents, and possessions entirely to God. That is, being “set apart” for His great purposes. This involves daily surrender, overcoming worldly influences, daily prayer, the washing of the Word each day, and actions of service to deepen my relationship with Christ.
A story is told about a chicken and a pig who find themselves discussing their contributions to the farmer’s breakfast table. The hen bemoans having to donate her eggs for the breakfast. The pig replied, “Yes, but for you, that’s just a small sacrifice. For me, it’s total commitment!” We might ask ourselves whether we are the kind of people who feel that giving an occasional egg or two towards our personal consecration honours the Lord in the pursuit of holiness.
Ps Milton