08/23/2024
This morning we are contemplating a holiness of heart and life. Isn't this one of the core aims in our quest of faith? Pastor E.M. Bound speaks to how we should go about achieving such a life, and heart, in these words... "To cultivate this kind of life and heart, one must be watchful, one must pray and be forgiving toward others. A true Christian seeks holiness of heart, he is not satisfied without it. For this very purpose he consecrates himself to God. He gives himself entirely over to God in order to be holy in heart and in life." How are each of us doing in this pursuit?
Jesus speaks about traits that will make us holy... two of the most challenging to us is humility, and dedicating ourselves to a life of service and forgiveness.
“But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”
Luke 22:26 KJV
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15 KJV
Inside and out we should exhibit the traits of Christ; He is the embodiment of holiness, and it isn't enough to be faithful within and not reveal it to the world, or to lead a good life for all to see and have no faith inside. We should increase our faith through prayer and study, then allow God's fruit to come forth physically, and spiritually. Jesus spoke of the works He produced in John 14... listen.
“Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”
John 14:10 KJV
We like to claim the works, or fruit of God, for ourselves, but in fact they are not of us... If the good works we do are of us, then they count for nothing and are the result of a lack of true faithfulness. The scripture goes on to reveal that if they are of us then they alone are our reward... There is no holiness in that.
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Matthew 6:16 KJV
So we should be righteous inside and, when we are, then God's fruit will spring forth on our outside. The hard things of character like humility and forgiveness will become evident as God reshapes us into the image of His son Jesus Christ. He will change first our heart, and then our lives. Holiness of heart and life go hand in hand in the Christian; one does not exist without the other.
This morning I pray that God continues to work within us to prepare our hearts for His Word and instruction. I pray that we receive Him in our innermost selves and that his fruit becomes evident for all to see. I thank Jesus for His example in how to live a holy life and in leading us to holiness both of heart and outward life. May God's glory be witnessed through us as He prunes us to bear more fruit, and pulls the weeds from around us to nurture and strengthen our unseen roots.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who is our example in how to live for you, both inwardly, and outwardly… physically, and spiritually. Thank you for transforming us measure by measure as we become holy as He is, and into the complete child you desire us to be. Help us Lord to give you all the glory for every good work we do in your name, and for the righteousness we exude as we walk through our lives with you. Help us as we pray to you so that in so doing we will come to love you more, and hear your will for us. Give strength to our faith as we offer up our humble prayers, and provide all the gifts of the Spirit we will need to do your will. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God in whom we are able to do all things. Holy are you to whom we give all the glory for every good act, and thought, in our lives. Just as Jesus said that he could do nothing on His own, and judge nothing outside your will, so it is with us Father, and we ask that you forever act and speak through us. We will praise you, worship you, and pray blessings upon you as you abide in us. Jesus told us that He abides in us and we in Him, and He went on to say that He does this just as you abide in Him, and He in you. We hear His words, and realize that if He abides in us then you too are abiding in us… thank you Abba for being not only with us, but in us, and for guiding our hearts, our faith, and the works of your will, through your Holy Spirit. In Jesus you make us righteous, and in you we are perfected and made holy… we pray always that you will be pleased with us and with all that you do through us as we hear your Word, and obey your will. Judge us worthy Father, and seat us at your table to dine on the manna of your Word with you, take our hand and walk in the cool of the evening with us, and speak of wisdom, love, mercy and grace with us; do these things throughout eternity. Let your joy and peace be our reward, and your presence be sufficient for us. Blessed are you our God, and blessed be your Son Jesus Christ our redeemer.
Amen, Amen, Amen
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”
John 5:30 ESV
“In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
John 14:20-21 ESV
Rich Forbes