09/23/2018
Are you sanctified, Holy, and doing the work of the Lord, or just working hard at religious things? Are you serving the church you attend, and other institutions around you, because they do holy things, and yet you yourself have not been sanctified? To do Holy work for God we must first sanctify ourselves, otherwise the works we do are just good deeds in the eyes of men. Who do you serve, and in what capacity?
“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”
2 Timothy 2:21 ESV
If we want to grow as Christians, and be of service in God’s house as His child, then it takes more than human effort and desire... it takes a changed life, sanctification, and being made holy. When God begins to use holy men and women for His purposes then the work they do reaps heavenly reward; churches grow spiritually, souls come to know Jesus and God, and the atmosphere of the Church as a whole is elevated from one that is pleasing to men to one of holiness that pleases God. Without holy men and women a church is just another institution that acknowledges Jesus and does good things... it is like a glove with no hand in it. Sure, it may look like a hand but it is lifeless. Let’s read what Andrew Murray writes in relation to this...
“Many throw themselves into service without true holiness and with little of the Holy Spirit. They often work diligently, and as far as human influence is concerned, successfully. And yet true spiritual results are few. The Lord cannot work through these people because He does not rule in their inner life.” - Andrew Murray
I have served meals alongside many different people at the Rescue Mission in downtown Nashville. Some serve the hungry and homeless because of the way it makes them look to those around them in church and society... I am a good and benevolent person. Some serve because they have empathy for the men who they feed and house... I used to be homeless, or if not for someone’s generosity this would be me. Some serve because they feel sorry for those they serve... oh these poor souls. Some serve because it gives them a sense of self-worth... things could be worse in my life. And then, some serve because it is a holy and righteous thing to do and it demonstrates the power of God in their lives... these are all God’s children who He loves and desires relationship with. As far as serving goes... they all accomplish the goal of serving food, and providing a warm dry place for the homeless to sleep tonight. On the surface they all wear the same gloves, but the difference is what lies within. So again I ask... are you sanctified, Holy, and doing the work of the Lord? Is God’s hand inside your glove, or just yours?
“And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
John 17:19-21 ESV
Our lives must change inwardly for us to become holy. We read of Jesus abiding in us, of the Holy Spirit abiding in us, and of God Himself abiding in us, but that takes more than just our desire to acknowledge them... it takes a conversion of self; it takes consecration, and sanctification... it takes becoming holy. Scripture tells us we must cleanse ourselves, and it tells us that Jesus has made it possible for us to be consecrated. This is not purely a spiritual act, nor is it simply a physical act of our own determined will... it is a combination that requires us to conform and subject our will to God’s will. We are asked to change both spiritually and physically (worldly), in our effort to become sanctified and holy. Are we each doing that? Are we pulling our hand out of the glove that is our life, and asking the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to fill the void that is left? Are we replacing our will with God’s? This is the process of sanctification, this is how we change, this is how we invite God to abide in us, and in so doing, this is how we become Holy.
Whose hand is within your glove? Whose hand is guiding the action of your life? Who touches the world around you? Does your glove of life touch as a man touches, or does it touch with the caress of God Himself? Are the things you work at serving God as His child, or simply serving yourself as someone who is reaping his reward in this world?
“"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:2 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your gift of change in my life. Thank you Merciful Father for the sanctification, and holiness that comes when I cleanse myself, and allow you to abide within me. As I serve you Holy Father, I ask that my reward be secured in heaven and not on this world. Help me Jesus to humble myself as you do, and to place the will of the Father before my own. Help me Holy Spirit to know the truth within my service to the kingdom, sanctification, and my Father’s will. Gracious Father I seek your presence, your Holiness, and for your hand to guide my life. Help me Lord to make myself subservient to you in the tasks you ask of me, and to seek your pleasure as I do these things out of love as you have commanded. Help me to obey your will as I feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and all the other things you desire for me to do; don’t let my own pride and self-will step between what I am doing for you, and the glory that is yours. Let your holiness fill me Father and allow your light to shine forth from me as I live out my life here on Earth. Praised be your name Holy Father, and May all glory be yours. Though my lips pray let your will be done, and though my hands show the callouses, let your desire be fulfilled by their effort. You are my God and the Lord of my life... abide in me always, and let my will be made one with yours. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, and the hand within the glove of my life. All glory is yours now and forevermore.
Rich Forbes