Embrace Holiness Part Two

by Pastor Mitch Horton | March/April 2004

In last month's issue, we discussed the importance of holiness in our lives and how God wants to use dedicated believers to be the "salt" and "light" to our generation. I mentioned that our nation is on a moral downslide, and our only hope in preserving our next generation is a direct intervention of God! Any culture that pushes aside God's Word and chooses to live independently from His will eventually faces ruin. Without God's Word as a moral standard for behavior, our nation is on a collision course with disaster! And with the pushing of homosexual marriage recently, we are in danger of the very land we live on rejecting us! (See Lev. 18:22-25).

Notice the admonition God gives to Israel that is so applicable to our day: "Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break all restraint, with bloodshed upon bloodshed. Therefore the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea will be taken away" (Hosea 4:1-3). We need God's intervention NOW, or we stand in jeopardy of losing the blessings that our nation has been provided because of our forefather's obedience!

Years ago the noted Bible teacher F.B. Meyer said, "There is no sin (unchastity), which will sooner bring about a nation's fall. If history teaches anything, it teaches that sensual indulgence is the surest way to national ruin. Society, in not condemning sin, condemns itself."

God wants His people to draw near to Him in holiness so that His power can be displayed and touch this generation. Satan knows that power and purity go hand in hand. Without purity and holiness, God's power is blocked from flowing through His people. So the enemy seeks to introduce subtle impurity into the church to rob it of God's power. We must stop yielding to impurity around us! Don't participate; don't allow it to entertain you through movies and TV shows, or printed material. Shun impurity and embrace the presence of God!

2 Corinthians 7:1 reads, "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." The more pure we become, the greater will be the manifestation of God's power among us!

Notice the emphasis in the New Testament on separation from the world's way of living and thinking: "As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as He who called you is Holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because as it is written, 'be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:14-16). "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16). "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the gentiles (unbelievers), that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation" (1 Peter 2: 9-12).

I'm going to end with a lengthy quote from Ephesians that sums up God's desire for the church today. I encourage you to pray Psalms 139: 23-24, and make a commitment to holy living today. Our choices today will determine the future of our nation!

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma. But fornication, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor course jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: 'Awake you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light'" (Ephesians 5:1-14).