Dear Friends,
As we’ve seen in our ongoing study in Revelation, there is one attribute of God that stands above His other attributes. It’s the attribute that the four living creatures around His throne never cease to declare. God is “holy, holy, holy.”
I remember years ago hearing R.C. Sproul make the statement that most of us don’t really believe that God is as holy as He truly is. And most of us don’t really believe that we are as sinful as we indeed are.
I think he’s right.
We’ve talked at length about what this word holy means. And without re-covering that ground here, I want to suggest here that when we begin to get a glimpse of just how pure, righteous and holy God really is, it will begin to revolutionize our relationship with Him in at least three important ways.
First, when we begin to see the holiness of God for what it really is, it will help to keep us from worshipping a false god.
There is a reason that the first of the Ten Commandments commands us to have no other gods before us. John Calvin has said that the human heart is an idol factory. All of us have a tendency to want to reduce God down to a more manageable deity.
How do you react when you read in scripture that God struck Ananias and Sapphira dead for lying about how much money they had contributed to the church?
Or how about when we read that God ordered the leaders of Israel to stone Achen and his family for keeping some of the spoils from the battle at Ai?
How do you respond when you read that God’s anger burned against Uzzah when he touched the Ark of the Covenant, and that the Lord took his life as punishment?
What about the Lord turning Lot’s wife into a pillar of salt for looking back at Sodom?
Do you ever flinch at the idea that God condemns sinners to eternal punishment?
A fundamental question with which all of us must come to grips is whether we’re only going to worship a god who fits our idea of how a god should behave, or whether we’re going to worship the God who is – the Holy God revealed to us in scripture.
A deeper understanding and affirmation of God’s holiness helps to keep us from drifting toward idolatry.
Second, a deeper understanding of God’s holiness will lead us to a deeper experience of worship for God.
Puritan writer Steven Charnock said “Without a due sense of [God’s holiness], we can never exalt God in our heart; and the most distinct conceptions we have of this, and the rest of his attributes, the more we glorify him.” The more we become familiar with the holiness of God, the more awestruck we are by his glory. The regenerate heart responds to a clearer understanding of who God is by worshipping Him.
I remember years ago hearing a pastor address the need for holy worship in our churches. “The light and foolish manner of many preachers and singers as they ‘minister’ and the flippant and nonchalant attitude of congregations are clear indications that we have lost our appreciation for and consciousness of the awesome holiness of God. Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.’”
Finally, a deeper understanding of the holiness of God will lead us to desire to live a more holy life.
If we really love God, we will want to become like Him. At least seven times in the bible, we are commanded to be holy because God is holy. We should desire that our lives will reflect His character and His standard of righteousness.
When the apostle Paul tells us to be imitators of God (Eph. 5:1), he follows the statement by reminding the Ephesians that “among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Eph. 5:3-5).
The standard is high. And at the same time, we must recognize that none of us can be holy apart from Christ. He is the source of our holiness. It is His Spirit who works in us to make us holy.
Bishop J.C. Ryle said “There is not a brick nor a stone laid in the work of our sanctification till we go to Christ. Holiness is His special gift to His believing people. Holiness is the work He carries on in their hearts, by the Spirit whom He puts within them… Holiness comes not of blood – parents cannot give it to their children: nor yet of the will of man – ministers cannot give it you by baptism. Holiness comes from Christ. It is the result of vital union with Him. It is the fruit of being a living branch of the True Vine.”
It's one thing for us to affirm the holiness of God. But if that affirmation doesn’t inspire you to pursue a life committed to personal holiness, then our affirmation of God’s holiness is hollow. There is a day coming when sin will be eradicated and we will be free not only from the penalty and power of sin, but also from its very presence. A day is coming when sin will be no more, either in our hearts and in our world.
Until then, because of our love for God and gratitude for what He has done for us, we should be striving to narrow the gap between what is true about us now and what will be true about us then.
By the time some of you are reading this newsletter, August will be here. And with it, some important dates to keep in mind.
First, make sure you circle Sunday, August 18 on your calendar. I’ll have more to share with you about this in the coming weeks, but on that Sunday, we’re going to pause our study of Revelation to take some time exploring the key characteristics that identify a person as spiritually mature. My goal is to help each of us assess where we are in our walk with Christ and to be able to target areas where we can “excel still more.”
That same morning, we’ll once again be ending our service with baptisms. We have two people who we’ll be hearing from that morning as they share their testimony of faith in Jesus.
As always, if you have come to a place where you have embraced a personal faith in Christ, but since that time you have not “taken the plunge” and declared your faith publicly by being baptized, let me urge you to take this important step of obedience to Christ. Contact me, or Pastor Matt or Pastor Cole, and let’s set up a time to talk about you being included as part of this time of worship.
And of course, it’s our practice to celebrate baptisms with a family meal. So on that Sunday, once the service is over, we’ll have an end-of-summer, back to school, baptism celebrating Pulled Pork Potluck!
Finally, August 18 is the kickoff date for our Roots Student Ministries Fall semester.
And don’t forget AWANA. It starts up on Wednesday, August 28. Are your kids registered yet? What!!? Why not? Click here (https://redeemerlr.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2403793) and sign the kids up NOW! Like right now!We could still use your help as an AWANA volunteer this fall. If you’re wondering if you should enlist, the answer is yes! Let Laura White hear from you. Send her an email at laurawhite811@gmail.com (mailto:laurawhite811@gmail.com) or text her at 501.517.5799.
Here’s a reminder that next Wednesday night, August 7, you’re invited to Josue and Stephanie Quiroz’s home at 6:30 pm (not 7:00 as I said last week) for a prayer night for the missionaries we support as a church and for the work of God around the world. If you’re interested, connect with Josue and Stephanie or with Charlie Albright.
In our study through the book of Revelation, we’ve been given a glimpse of what life will be like on earth for believers during the “wilderness” years that stretch from the ascension of Jesus into heaven in Acts 1 all the way to His second coming. Occasionally, we’ve had a glimpse of what is happening in heaven during these same years. As we arrive at Revelation 12, John has another vision for us. This time, it’s a look at the elements of the epic cosmic battle that is taking place in the unseen world as the drama of redemption plays out on earth. We’ll be introduced this week to a woman about to give birth, her son who is born to rule and a red dragon who is seeking to subvert and destroy God’s plan for His people.
See you in church.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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