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Holiness - 7/11/2009 10:20:14 PM
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Lahry
Posts: 136
Joined: 11/18/2008
From: Winslow, Arizona
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Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings and heartpeace to each of you and to all the saints who fellowship there with you.
I have discovered that I have become a "Holiness" person. I began to learn about people involved in the message of Holiness only after God's transforming power in my own life led my wife and I to a singular life in Christ Jesus. By that I mean that my wife and I live for God, and God alone. We have been purchased with a great price and both count it our eternal duty to honor our Redeemer, Savior, and Lord, by the way we live our life and share the truth of His Word.
It is only in the last week or so that I have begun to search out on the internet, information about others involved in the quest for living a holy life. I found this one page document that I think is well worth the read. I share it with you because God is good. And those who focus on His goodness, and how we may be partakers of His goodness will flourish in spiritual prosperity and ministry. To God be the glory, now and forever amen.
Humbly before Him,
Lahry
What Is Holiness
by Lynn Thrush
We derive the meaning of holiness, rather than describe an independent object. The word begins to be defined when we know the source from which it springs, or the entity with which it is identified. Holiness is properly identified with God, “I will show My greatness and My holiness.” Ez. 38:23. Holiness is connected to the very positive terms “majestic” and “splendor.” Ps. 29:2. Holiness is contrasted to that which is profaned, Ez. 36:22-23 and to that which is unclean. Lev. 11:44.
Holiness as a noun is best understood as a gerund (a noun derived from a verb). Holiness is a description of God or a person or thing because of action done, or as the result of a prior action. 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:24. Thus as a description related to activity/action/behavior, holiness is not static; it resists being defined as a state of being or attainment. Holiness then, is comprehended in the life/behavior/thinking of the disciple.
The opposite of holiness is that which is adulterous/mixed. Holiness is unmixed. God is love, and there is no admixture of anything other than love within Him. God is other-oriented, and there is no admixture of selfish behavior in Him. Jesus everywhere saw an adulterous generation, a culture of mixed loyalties. Jesus wants no admixture of loyalties in His disciples.
Holiness should not fundamentally be described by that which ought not to be present, namely sin. Such a negative, passive and reactionary inversion of holiness assures that holiness is taught in terms of what ought not to be. Rather, holiness is the good character of God unmixed by any shadow of darkness. The love of God and the fruit of the Spirit depicted in unmixed intention and action go a long way in describing holiness. The relational dimensions of Romans 12:1-2 and Ephesians 3:19 call all persons to transformation of life and fullness of God, holiness working out in the disciple’s life as an ongoing journey of yielding to God and growing in grace.
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RE: Holiness - 7/11/2009 11:15:27 PM
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drmark
Posts: 4632
Joined: 7/10/2006
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quote:
Holiness should not fundamentally be described by that which ought not to be present, namely sin. Such a negative, passive and reactionary inversion of holiness assures that holiness is taught in terms of what ought not to be. While I do understand the rationale behind care in not focusing on "negative" implications of holiness, this particular approach could lead to an inadequate understanding of sin. If we are to be as holy as God is (1 Peter 1:15-16), then we are not to sin. I personally cannot so easily separate the holiness of God from His sinless character. Indeed, His very Holiness defines what sin truly is - man's willful disobedience of God's Holy Will.
_____________________________
Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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RE: Holiness - 7/13/2009 12:25:39 PM
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Eutychus
Posts: 6339
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dothan, AL
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quote:
...man's willful disobedience of God's Holy Will.
Leviticus 4, Leviticus 5, and Numbers 15 in the OT and Hebrews 9:7 in the NT speak of sins of the people committed in ignorance. If done in ignorance, that implies to me the sin was not willful. Yet, to Holy God, a sin was still committed.
In scripture (Isaiah & Daniel, for examples) and in observing those I've known in my lifetime, it appears that the closer believers are to the presence of God, the more aware they seem to be of their own uncleaness in comparison. It's just uncommon to find a believer in scripture in the presence of Holy God willing to say, "Blessed is me, for I am clean and holy."
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RE: Holiness - 7/13/2009 1:13:52 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 6733
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Eutychus
. It's just uncommon to find a believer in scripture in the presence of Holy God willing to say, "Blessed is me, for I am clean and holy."
That is a point I have made and certainly agree with.
If a person is clean and Holy, then thier humility would be such that they surely would not be bragging about it.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Holiness - 7/13/2009 6:02:28 PM
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drmark
Posts: 4632
Joined: 7/10/2006
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quote:
Yet, to Holy God, a sin was still committed. And covered by the imputed righteousness of Christ, thus removed from us as far as east from west! No defilement to our holiness there that I can see.
_____________________________
Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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RE: Holiness - 7/13/2009 11:10:57 PM
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Lahry
Posts: 136
Joined: 11/18/2008
From: Winslow, Arizona
Status: offline
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Wow. I certainly did not anticipate those remarks. I've been at this for 40+ years, and yes I am excited to break through to the promise land. If that offends you, or you think that is unscriptural, then so be it. It was not my intent or the desire of my heart.
Communication about Spiritual matters is not easy. I for one do not take as much time as I should in considering what I post before my enthusiasim hits the "post" button. I'll take it down if you like. I just didn't anticipate such remarks.
In His mercy, grace, and love,
Lahry
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RE: Holiness - 7/14/2009 8:05:03 AM
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drmark
Posts: 4632
Joined: 7/10/2006
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quote:
Communication about Spiritual matters is not easy. Amen, especially this kind of brief electronic diaogue. We would all do much better to show patience and request clarification before jumping to conclusions. I suspect you have misunderstood Eutychus and rcjames in thinking they were specifically rebuking you. If they were, then I will defend your OP to the max!
quote:
I'll take it down if you like. I just didn't anticipate such remarks. Lahry, are you "bragging" about your breakthrough or sharing it with us for edification and encouragement. I've only met you through a few postings, but I already discern that your heart is pure and your intentions are noble. Please do not delete this thread because of someone who may envy the kind of holy relationship you have with God and may misrepresent your excitement in living 100% for the Lord!
Lahry, with regards to your experience and application of holiness, how do you view sins of ignorance or unintentional errors that we all can make, even when living in 100% holiness for the Lord?
_____________________________
Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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RE: Holiness - 7/14/2009 12:12:19 PM
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Lahry
Posts: 136
Joined: 11/18/2008
From: Winslow, Arizona
Status: offline
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Oh DrMark,
I can only boast in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I am here and in other forums because I am so blessed that God has shown me personally so much grace and mercy. My continual state and spirit of worship is all for Him because of Him.
I'm here because I spent 40+ years in the wilderness of intellect as a Bible Student. I've been set free, beloved, and I come here with the utmost of love and concern, that others might conisider the full counsel of scripture, believe, and be set free.
How can anyone be free who is still bound to their own personal lordship over their life instead of yielding to the Lordship of the Master? My heart breaks for them.
I know you realize that only God can give the increase. So we must all pray diligently for these folks, that God may open their eyes of faith, that they may believe and receive.
Brother, I'm anything but a braggart. I've been liberated from myself. The life I know live, I live by faith in my Lord. He began this work by leading me out of Egypt so very long ago. Now that I've finally crossed Jordan, I want to share it with others. I don't want them to have to be in the wilderness of self as long as I was. I'll take the abuse. I'll take the persecution, that some might believe and be set free. To God be the glory, now and forever amen.
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RE: Holiness - 7/14/2009 3:34:22 PM
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Eutychus
Posts: 6339
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dothan, AL
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: drmark
...Please do not delete this thread because of someone who may envy the kind of holy relationship you have with God and may misrepresent your excitement in living 100% for the Lord!
Since I'm the only poster besides you and RC thus far in this thread, you are out of line to imply that I envy anything about the OP or that I intended to misrepresent his excitement or anything else about him simply because I raised an issue I was honestly concerned about.
If the OP's excitement and holy relationship is that fragile, then I will try to keep in mind that only you and RC should ever post in the same thread with him.
Do you consider all that are not within the Wesleyan/Holiness fold to be insincere pawns of Satan that can't possibly raise a genuine disagreement with perceived flaws in your doctrine? Rather than attempt to correct a brother's misconception, you seem to choose to poke him as with a sharp stick so he'll run off with his tail between his legs and leave you to your private club.
_____________________________
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
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RE: Holiness - 7/14/2009 10:24:30 PM
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drmark
Posts: 4632
Joined: 7/10/2006
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quote:
...you are out of line to imply.. And you, sir, are out of line to imply that I implied! Let me rephrase my request to Lahry from post #7: Please do not delete this thread because you may perceive envy for the kind of holy relationship you have with God or misrepresentation of your excitement in living 100% for the Lord! Does this clarify that I was in no way referring to you, Eutychus?
_____________________________
Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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RE: Holiness - 7/15/2009 8:11:39 AM
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Eutychus
Posts: 6339
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dothan, AL
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: drmark
quote:
...you are out of line to imply.. And you, sir, are out of line to imply that I implied! Let me rephrase my request to Lahry from post #7: Please do not delete this thread because you may perceive envy for the kind of holy relationship you have with God or misrepresentation of your excitement in living 100% for the Lord! Does this clarify that I was in no way referring to you, Eutychus?
I'll take your word for your intentions. But as there were only three that were posting and I'm the only one that wasn't in unison with the Wesleyan/Holiness fold, it made it hard not to assume the finger was pointed in my direction. And the PM he sent me made it clear that HE thought so too. I'd post it if I could, but TOS forbids either of us from doing so.
_____________________________
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
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RE: Holiness - 7/15/2009 8:41:18 AM
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drmark
Posts: 4632
Joined: 7/10/2006
Status: offline
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Then I truly apologize for inadvertently and nonmaliciously misleading you two brothers. God knows my heart and I actually revised the wording of post #7 twice to minimize any perceived "pointing of fingers" before I submitted it the first time. Thank you both for your forgiveness and may we try to stay on topic, especially one so near and dear to our hearts!
_____________________________
Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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