The Beauty Of Holiness

III.  Beauty of Holiness

If man could visualize his journey through life, he would see two roads which seemed to fade away in the far distance of time.  These two roads represent the road (way) of life …Thou hast made known to me the ways of life” (Acts 2:28) and the road (way) of death …“there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12).  One is a road of blessing and the other is a road of cursing.

Two roads rise to meet us; Jesus said one was narrow and the other broad.  Before we choose one, we should look at its destiny, because both of these roads lead to somewhere.  We can walk in the flesh the result is death.  We can walk in the Spirit the result is eternal life.

(Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV)  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

         1.  The Journey of Life

As on any journey, there are many places of enjoyment along the way.  It would be a monotonous trip if one didn’t enjoy any of the pleasure which dot the map of his travel.  As one goes, he usually plans to enjoy all that he can and take advantage of that which his traveling time will allow him to do.  Even so, God has made reservations for one’s travel through life to be filled with many adventures.  As he travels down these highways, each adventure becomes a part of him.

        

         a.  Which Way Will We Go?

(Hebrews 11:25 KJV)  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

The important thing to consider in choosing the course of travel is:  (1) What will be the results of these adventures?  And, (2) where will the choice of roads lead?  Moses was a man who chose the highway of holiness rather than enjoy the adventures and pleasures of sin for a season (Hebrews 11:25).  This holy way of life is a separated way and is set apart from the way of the crowds.

Separation is a Bible doctrine, although scorned by people outside the church and even some inside it as restriction, bondage, and legalism.  Quarantine is an age-old method for stopping the spread of diseases.  Self-imposed quarantines against spiritually destructive devices must be a part of our lives.

Face it!  There are some things we are going to have to deny ourselves.  There are some places we cannot go, some things we cannot do, and some people with whom we cannot associate.  If we do not develop strength of character to eliminate some things from our lives, they will destroy us.

“I use tell my children when they were young, you are your environment, plant yourself in a good environment. If you want to be successful hang around successful people. Same goes spiritually... If you want to be spiritual hang around spiritual people.”

As Christians we must plant ourselves in a holy spiritual environment.  More than time and life are at stake here; these things will shape our eternal destiny.

         b.  Becoming More Like Him

As the new Christian journeys through life on the highway of holiness, God changes him into His image from glory (adventure) to glory (adventure).  As He continues to conquer the old man (who is always trying to influence to travel down the old road of death), He builds within the heart of the new man the character and the beauty of Jesus Christ who is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15; II  Corinthians 4:4). 

The true image of God (I Peter 1:15; Ephesians 4:24) can only be reflected by the Spirit of God working in His people to cleanse this temple of those things that mar the holy reflection of Jesus Christ. 

(1 Peter 1:15 KJV)  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

(Ephesians 4:24 KJV)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The further man goes with Him on this journey, the more he becomes like Him.  The more he becomes like Him, the more others are attracted to Him.  The only way God will ever be seen by this searching generation is through His people.  The scripture says that without following “…holiness…no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).  When judgment Day comes, God will search among the flocks for those who have on the same garment of righteousness as He wore.  They will shine as bright lights in a darkened day.

            c.  Holiness A Beautiful Way of Life

(Psalm 29:2 KJV)  Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

           

Holiness is such a beautiful way of life.  When the Scriptures tell us that Jesus came to save from sins, it was actually saying that He came to protect, preserve, and keep from those things which cause man to fall short of abundant life.  To sin is to miss the mark, or the purpose, for which man has been designed.  To perish is to miss the true aim of life – literally to ruin your life. 

            “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish (miss fulfilling the true aim in life), but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

So then holiness is a beautiful way of life which guarantees God’s protection and blessings from three major enemies which war against the soul.  Holiness is not a list of codes.  It is a superior way of life that will lead those that follow its course into the beauty and treasure of God’s Kingdom.           

         2.  Perfecting Holiness

How tragic that many have misunderstood the beauty of holiness.  When God fills man with His Holy Spirit, man becomes holy (I Corinthians 6:17).

He doesn’t have to exert all kinds of strenuous physical and mental exercises to be holy.  For it is not from the will of man that holiness is derived, but from the heart filled with God’s Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16 and John 1:13). 

(Romans 6:19 KJV)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

(John 1:13 KJV)  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Remember, it is the fruit of the Spirit.  The heart will have a great yearning to be like Jesus and will, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, be changed into the holy image of Jesus.  He must yield himself to this influence and power of God (Romans 8:16). 

(Romans 8:16 KJV)  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

This flow of God’s Holy Spirit will reach into every aspect of his life I Peter 1:15 tell us…“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (conduct)”.

           

It will cause him to abstain from the appearance of evil Psalms 101:3 says…“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” …and will cause him to walk in new places (walk as He walked), dress different, act different, talk different and even think different (Philippians 4:8-9). 

(Philippians 4:8-9 KJV)  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever thing are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

           

He will be a new man and “behold, old things are passed away and all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). 

         a.  Growing in the Lord

(Ephesians 4:15 KJV)  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

(1 Peter 2:2 KJV)  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

(2 Peter 3:18 KJV)  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

           

As the new man grows in the knowledge of the will of God, he will also grow in his ability to recognize activities and attitudes that would endanger his new life in Christ.  Sometimes, he may feel a check of the Spirit but not see any danger in a particular activity.  But, thank God for pastors whom God works through to help preserve him from the subtlety of sin.  They will help guide him away from the dangerous road of sin and death.  Life is not governed totally by the inferior question of whether or not something is sin, but by whether or not it will damage the image of Christ in a Christian’s life.  This is why he senses these impulses from the Spirit – to warn of potential danger. 

Life’s greatest step is to turn from sin and to God.  After this, we follow Him as His Word gives direction.  We have studied the steps we must take to be saved from sin.  God’s Word, which tells us how to be saved, also instructs us in how to stay saved.  If we follow its teachings and obey its instructions, all will be well.

Our destiny of heaven is not automatically secured just because we have been born again.  The new birth is an essential step, but it is only the beginning of our walk with God.  Salvation is an experience that will sustain us for a lifetime, if we grow and develop as God’s Word directs.

         b.  The Concerned Christ

(John 3:16 KJV)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

            Jesus is reaching to every person and every family now.  He knows the needs and He sees the sincerity.  He doesn’t want any person to perish.  He will not force His love upon any, but He wants the change to show what a great God He can be.  He has a new heart made especially for every individual and the angels anxiously await to record the names in heaven.  A treasure chest of promises await those who will seek Him.  Anyone can receive Him in their life at any moment.  The greatest miracle that could ever happen in any life is the new birth.  It is the will of God that all be saved but the decision rests with the individual.

email: kimlovesjesus@icloud.com