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

Old Man to the New Man

II.  From the Old Man to the New Man

It is exciting to witness these miraculous manifestations of God’s power as is often done in the church.  But the greatest miracle that could ever happen would be to experience the life-changing transformation brought about by the “new birth” (John 3).  Jesus had performed powerful miracles during His ministry, including the raising of the dead.  He had given the disciples power to perform many of these same miracles but He cautioned them not to rejoice because they had power over spirits but rather “rejoice” He said, “because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). 

The Lord was obviously more concerned with the miracle of salvation and eternal life than any other miracle which could be performed.  Salvation is always God’s highest priority for man.

                  1.  The Greatest Work

Concerning the miraculous, Jesus said, “Greater works than these shall he do because I go to the Father” (John 14:12).  How could anyone perform greater works of miracles than those which Jesus had done?  These works were to be in the future, after the Lord’s journey to Calvary.  The greatest work that could ever be done was to tell of the delivering power of the blood of Jesus and the “new life” that would be given through His Spirit (Acts 2:4, 38 and 39). 

(Acts 2:4,38,39  KJV)  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every

one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Since Jesus gave His life on Calvary, was resurrected and ascended into heaven, he has been pouring this beautiful miracle of “new life” into all who come to Him (John 10:10).

(John 10:10 KJV)  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

         a.  Jesus Brings Change

(2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

(Ephesians 4:22-24 KJV)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Everything Jesus taught and all the love and compassion He demonstrated was designed to draw the people’s attention to the power of God.  This power was able to change troubled, empty lives into joyous, abundant lives.  His mission was to bring the joys of heaven and the life of God into the heart and soul of mankind.

         b.  Jesus Brings Victory

He offers victory over satanic forces, human weaknesses and struggles of life.

(John 16:33 KJV)  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

(1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV)  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 John 5:4, 5 KJV)  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

           

The victory in removing the curse of sin from its victims was paid for by giving His own life, thereby conquering sin and opening the door for man to receive this “new life.”  He laid down His life for mankind, that man could experience a superior way of life – NEW LIFE.

(I Corinthians 5:17)  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”.

         c.  The Three Enemies of Man

The receiving of the baptism of the Holy Ghost is actually receiving the very presence and life of God dwelling within.  Jesus had conquered the…

         (1) Devil

(Hebrews 2:14 KJV)  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Satan is a fallen angel and knows his destiny.  Now he seeks to destroy everyone he can.  Satan and his angels will have the lake of fire as their final portion (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).  What is tragic is that he is taking multitudes with him into that terrible place.

Satan is devious and vicious in his attacks against the saints of God.  The devil is our enemy, and in the flesh we are no match for him.  But God’s Spirit, the Holy Ghost, within us is greater than he who is in the world (I John 4:4).

Satan not only wages personal attacks against us, but he also works through two other enemies, the flesh and the world.

         (2) World with it's Ungodly Lusts

(1 John 2:16 KJV)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

(John 16:33 KJV)  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Our soul’s enemy of course is not the earth.  Our enemy is the age we live in commonly referred to as “the world”.  From each age arises inventions, allurements, enticements, carnal trappings, places, and events invented by humans.  Every generation produces an atmosphere and environment that is peculiar to its own day, which is destructive to our spiritual lives if we involve ourselves in it.  The world of humanity under satanic influence will constantly bring false doctrines, wrong codes of conduct, and worldliness to our society.  We must judge each teaching and practice by the Scriptures as to its spirit, its truthfulness, and the direction to which it tends.  Spiritual perception is a must.

         (3) The Flesh

(Hebrews 4:15 KJV)  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

The word “flesh” does not refer to the physical flesh of the human body.  The word flesh comes from the Greek word sarx, which in the New Testament usually indicates human nature with its frailties and passions.  It encompasses carnality and being carnally minded.

When humans fell in the Garden of Eden, the law of sin, or the sin principle, became a part of the human race.  This corrupt, defiled sinful nature is transmitted from parent to child through procreation.  Humanity’s bloodline not only carries and transmits physical death but also spiritual death.

God does not take away human desires, feelings, and tendencies when we get saved.  Our soul is redeemed and saved, but our body is not yet redeemed, and we struggle with sinful human nature.

So the three enemies of man are, the devil, the world, and the flesh… 

Jesus continues to defeat these three enemies as He lives in the heart of the believer.  Two of these enemies are outside the body, (the devil and the world).  But it seems that the greatest enemy is within man.  Mark 7:21-23 says “…out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man”.

         2.  The Works of the Flesh, the Old Man

All of these things come from a carnal and sinful nature.  A picture of this nature is painted in Galatians 5:19, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.

           

When left to itself, the heart of a man is capable of unbelievable evils.  As long as a life is lived in response to the dictates and the desires of this sinful nature, it can never please God.  The Scriptures declare that it is impossible to please God with the carnal mind, and that it is hostile towards Him.  The carnal mind does not submit to God’s laws (Romans 8:6).

This is why God gives a new nature, a new mind, and a new heart, thus making a new man full of new life for the old man, as he is called, cannot please God.  He cannot understand God neither can he live holy before God. 

New nature...

(Romans 7:6 KJV) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

(1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV) But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

New mind...

(1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

New heart...

(Ezekiel 36:26, 27 KJV) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

(Romans 5:5 KJV) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

New man...

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

New life...

(Romans 6:4 KJV) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

(2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

For the old man cannot please God...

(Ephesians 4:22 KJV) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

(1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

(Romans 8:7, 8 KJV) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Can sweet water come from a bitter spring?  Of course not!  Neither can he who lives in the lower nature of the old man produce the fruits of this newly created man.

  

(James 3:11 KJV)  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries?  Either a vine, figs?  So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

         3.  The Works of the Spirit, the New Man

To this new man God has given many promises.  The old man was associated with the curses.  Since actions flow directly from the heart…

(Luke 6:45 KJV)  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of he heart his mouth speaketh.

(1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV)  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

…it was necessary that God create in man a new heart, with new characteristics.  The feelings of the heart cannot be trusted, for the heart of the natural man is “…deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9-10).  Would it be safe to find the most wicked, deceitful man you know and entrust everything to his care?  A wise man knows he cannot do this.  The Bible says that a man cannot trust his own heart.  David, that great psalm-writer and king, never dreamed that he had murder in his heart.  He found out too late.  He learned to ask God to search his heart and try him, know his thoughts and see if there was any wicked way in him and lead him in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). 

This honest and sincere appeal to God is the only hope man has of influencing his eternal destiny.  Remember, all the reasoning of the heart, and human logic of this world cannot know or discover the things of God without the illumination of His Spirit into our hearts.

(I Corinthians 2:11 KJV)  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

(II Corinthians 4:6 KJV)  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give he light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

         4.  The Fruit of the Spirit

(Galatians 5:22, 23 KJV)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Bearing the fruit of the Spirit is one of the most important teachings of Scripture.  Although we can attain the fruit of the Spirit, it is not a one-time accomplishment that brings us a lifetime lease on it.  We must wage a continual battle in order to maintain this fruit.

God has made this fruit available and accessible to us through the power of the Holy Ghost.  Allowing the Spirit to produce fruit in our lives is our responsibility and challenge.  Within ourselves it is impossible, but we can allow the Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit.  Allowing God’s Word to guide and instruct us is essential.

When the Spirit of God is resident in the heart, it will produce a harvest of love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, longsuffering, faith, meekness and temperance.  His Spirit within will conquer the things that were formerly destroying.  Unbelief is conquered by faith; hatred is conquered by love; wrath and strife by longsuffering and temperance; fear, by love and patience; bondage, by deliverance, and on and on.  What a tremendous experience to see God completely change the old man into a brand new man, who flowers into the true image of God.

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

         a.  Formula for Abundant Life

Paul gave the formula for abundant life in Romans 12:21 – “Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good”.  

Listen to what Jesus said in Luke 6:43-45.  “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  For every tree is known by his own fruit.  For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.  An evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” 

So, to bring forth good things, it is necessary to have a new heart for it is the fountain of all the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

Is it any wonder that Christians speak praises and adoration in other tongues, since these praises flow from the heart where Jesus now lives?

(Romans 8:26 KJV)  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

This language of the Spirit is a truly undeniable sign that one has received a new heart.  Luke 6:45 says:“for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh”

            b.  The Aim of God For His People

(John 15:8 KJV)  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

It is the ultimate aim of God to bring forth the “fruit of His Spirit” cultivated in the hearts of His people.  He knows that a life abounding with the fruit of His Spirit is a meaningful and complete life.

There will, however, be opposition to His work in each heart by the old man (sinful nature);

(2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV)  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

For now there is a dual nature – the nature of God and the sinful nature of the flesh.

(Galatians 4:29 KJV)  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

(Hebrews 12:3-4 KJV)  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

(Galatians 5:17 KJV)  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

(Hebrews 4:15-16 KJV)  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Every saint has experienced two distinct births in his or her life, one natural and one spiritual.  With two such experiences, how can we expect anything less than a struggle.           

Paul said this sinful nature must be overcome.  Sometimes a struggle within man ends in failure but if we keep trusting in God, we will have victory.  Children fall many times before they are finally able to walk.  Even so, God is not angry when His children make mistakes and fall, but He has promised forgiveness and strength to rise and walk again.

         c.  Paul's Advise

(Romans 6:12, 13 KJV)  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Paul admonished the Roman Christians that during these struggles they suddenly let the “old man” get the upperhand.

The “old man” is the carnal, sinful, and fleshly man that is born with these tendencies.  We are in the world but not of the world; we belong to Christ but Satan wants us back.  Daily we must die to the flesh and walk after the Spirit if we want to be saved.

I was once told that a born again Christian has two spirits inside one body.  There is the spirit of the flesh and the spirit of God.  One is always warring with the other.  Which one will win?  Answer:  The one that gets fed the most.

If you feed the spirit with things like prayer, fasting, reading the Bible, and going to church, etc… it will be stronger.

If you feed the flesh with things like watching ungoldly movies, reading ungodly material, hanging out with wordly people and missing church, forgetting to pray, not reading your Bible, etc… it will be stronger.  

email: kimlovesjesus@icloud.com