Holiness and the Word

I am sharing a paper I recently wrote for my college Theology Class, thus the format. I came across some interesting thoughts and felt they might bless you as they blessed me. You might find a new perspective.

Introduction

            There are two words, or subjects, in the Bible that are of great fascination. These are the subjects of Holiness and the “Word.” There is not enough time or space to comprehensively cover these two subjects, for both of them reveals the nature of God to us. However, I would like to share a few thoughts concerning these two subjects that might both enlighten and bless. Holiness can be viewed as a lifestyle of worship and the “Word” can be seen as an action.

Holiness

Theological Definition

What is “holiness?” It is a word that appears frequently, 43 times, in the Bible. In the Old Testament we are instructed to worship God in the beauty of holiness. In the New Testament we are told to follow holiness because it is required of us if we are to see God.

            It is a word which, in the Old Testament, speaks of being set apart or to make sacredly. In the New Testament it signifies the same but goes further in that it speaks of a rightness with God and focuses on conduct and character.

Biblical Foundation

            In First Chronicles King David has led Israel in a great act of worship and honor by bringing the Ark of God to Jerusalem, thereby placing it at the center of the nation’s attention. During the time of sacrifice and thanksgiving, that followed, David delivered a Psalm to Asaph, who was in charge of leading the worship. In this Psalm of Thanksgiving, David encourages Israel to, “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness,” (1 Chronicles 16:29, King James Version).

            Paul encourages us to respond to the promises of God. The promises were he would be our Father and call us his children if we would separate ourselves from the uncleanliness of the unbeliever. Paul’s direction was, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God,” (2 Corinthians 7:1, King James Version).

            When writing to the Church in Ephesus, Paul instructs, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness,” (Ephesians 4:23-24, King James Version).

            The last time the word holiness is used, in the Bible, is in Hebrews 12:14. The writer of Hebrews wants the reader to understand that holiness is to be pursed. He encourages us to, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord,” (Hebrews 12:14, King James Version).

Practical Application

            When we look at the use of holiness in the Old Testament, it is often tied to worship and more than once described as beautiful. Holiness, worship and beauty create an astonishing picture of an act of separation, cause by the adoration for God by the worshiper. This adorns that worshiper in the splendor of that which is sacred and pure.

            Holiness in the New Testament speaks to us of a right relationship with God. It speaks of character and of character building. Not only does it encourage us to be separate and sacred, it also encourages us to pursue a good and a peaceful relationship with our neighbor as well as with God. Paul, in Ephesians 4:24 tells us to put on that new man who was created in holiness. He then explains some things we need to separate ourselves from such as lying, stealing, corrupt speech and more. In Romans 13:14, Paul tells us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, or again, holiness, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy,” (1 Peter 1:16, King James Version).

            Combining the New and Old Testament uses of the word holiness paints a picture of worship that is beautiful to God not only in the actions of worship, it goes further to include worship that is beautiful because of character and right relationship with God. It portrays worship that is beautiful for more reasons than flowing words, rhymes and rhythms. But worship that is adorned by a character that is pursuing a right standing with God and portrays the sacredness of God in the life of the worshiper.

The Word

Theological Definition

            As we read the Bible we find an incredible importance attached to the “Word” of God. The Psalmist, in the 119 Psalm, focuses on the impact the “Word” of God has on a life with statements such as, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalms 119:9, King James Version) or “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee,” (Psalms 119:11, King James Version). We also find that the term “thy word” is used interchangeably throughout the Bible with words such as law, statute, judgments, commandments, precepts, testimonies, truth and scripture.

            In writing his Gospel, the Apostle John launches an explanation of the deity of Jesus Christ with this statement, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made,” (John 1:1, 3, King James Version). He then boldly proclaims, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,” (John 1:14a, King James Version). John later quotes Jesus Christ as saying, “thy word is truth,” (John 17:17b, King James Version).

            When we are speaking of the “Word” we are talking about more than letters written on paper or verbiage filling the air. We are talking about God himself being expressed to us through the written word as well as through his earthly life. Considering this, our view of the “Word” should be a view of love and adoration.

Biblical Foundation

            God has placed great importance upon his word. The Psalmist penned this declaration, in the 138 Psalm, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name,” (Psalms 138:2, King James Version). As great as his name is, it is above every name (Philippians 2:9), God has magnified, or made his word greater than his name. When telling of God coming to earth in the robe of human flesh, John identifies God, as the “Word,” the creator of all things, the light that shines in darkness and brings life. Jesus spoke of the word being truth. When teaching Nicodemus he explained that men loved darkness because their deeds were evil. Then, rather than speaking of men doing that which is “good,” which would seem to be the opposite of evil, he said, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light,” (John 3:21, King James Version). The only way to God is through the “Word.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” (John 14:6, King James Version).

Practical Application

            The “Word” of God is vitally important to our lives. We need it for direction and illumination as his, “Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” (Psalms 119:105, King James Version). The “Word” will help us to live a life of great peace no matter what the circumstances that we experience, (Psalms 119:165). By living truth, or living according to the “Word” we are brought closer to the light or to God. In fact, the only way we can come to God is by his word or through truth. There should be intense hunger or desire in the heart and mind of each believer for the “Word” of God. Job declared, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food,” (Job 23:12b, King James Version).

            It is impossible to have a stronger relationship with God if a person doesn’t love his “Word.” It is impossible to know how to live a life that is pleasing to him if a person does not love his “Word.” To deal successfully with the pitfalls of life one must use his “Word” as a lamp and guide. It is from his “Word” that a believer will come to know God and learn that he can trust God in all matters of life.

Conclusion

            Holiness is the determination to set apart your life, from the world, and to make it sacred to God. It is deciding to worship God, not only with your voice, but to worship him with your whole life. There is a decision made to take the “Word” of God and to hide it in your heart in order to draw near to him and learn of him.

Living Life!

Rain fell in sheets as inside the Church the father of the bride said, in an emotion choked voice, “What’s that Parson, who gives this woman away? Her mother and I.” The young man took the hand of the young lady and they together turned to face the preacher as he began to speak.

Someone sung another song that talked about God teaching us to love. Still they sung another song about the Tie that Binds. The two preachers shared more words. The couple exchanged vows. A Bible was given as a symbol of the foundation the marriage was to be built on.

Finally, the long awaited moment, they pronounce the couple husband and wife. A kiss is given! The couple makes the long walk down the aisle, while the miniature bride and groom jump off the stage and run behind them.

They enjoy cake and fellowship, as people wish the newlyweds’ good luck. A container is passed and many bless the couple with a love offering to help them enjoy a few days together.

Finally it is time for the couple to leave. Many have already left the Church to drive home but a few remain behind to see the couple off. The rain has stopped but the night is still very dark and wet. The couple climbs into the 1969 Mercury Montego Coupe and pull out of the parking lot heading into “a life together.”

No one could predict what the future would hold. There was no way to see all of the thrills and spills. How could anyone know the triumphs and disappointments that would come during the years to follow. That night there wasn’t a mountain that they couldn’t climb or a river that couldn’t be crossed. All that lay ahead, it seemed, was easy victories and great promises.

For life to be lived to its fullest, there will be victories and there will be defeats. A definition of life could be emotional. Like our emotions, which go up and down, so goes life. The key is to have a firm foundation, something to build on. Build life together on something that never changes. The Word of God is forever and unchanging. It is the perfect foundation on which to build a life.

Children came to the young family. First a son was born. Oh the magic of the moment when life is first recognized to have come from you and the one you love. Nothing can compare to that moment. Next a daughter is born. Daddy looks into her dark eyes and he is lost forever. Then, there is the night when she stops breathing and high speed trips are made to the hospital. Hours spent waiting for doctors to discover what is wrong. The two stands together in the hallway listening to their baby scream as the doctors run more tests. A trial! A wilderness! It is a time of learning to lean on the mercy of God.

Life is being lived! A father suddenly becomes ill and passes from life. He is so very young and so is his daughter. Again, a time of learning to lean on God and draw strength from His well. Lessons are learned from the late night times of prayer. Lessons that say that God orders the steps of a righteous man and He takes joy in those steps. You might weep during the night, but the sun will come up and with it will be joy.

Another son is born. So different from his brother and sister in so many ways. He is born during another wilderness time. It is a reminder that the blessings of the Lord come even when you don’t know where God is.

What is life? It is but a wisp of steam, a vapor. You get up every day and live life until one day you look back and realize that thirty-four years have passed since that rainy night when you said, “We will!” Years of blessings!

Children have become teenagers and then adults. They have left the nest and now have their own families. There are moments when you wish you could roll back the years and again enjoy those precious moments of yesteryear. You would go a little slower this time and spend a little more time enjoying those things that are so important. You would recognize things so important now. If you could do it again, you would make sure you emphasized how crucial a love for the Word of God is to a life. You would spend more time kneeling beside your family in prayer. Make sure they realized the importance of a personal relationship with God.

There is no going back! You’ve done the best you could do. Now you have entered another chapter of life. The foundation is still firm because the Word of God is sure. Prayers are made for your children. Precious hours are spent with them and their children. Oh the glorious times of family gathered. Listening to the laughter as precious memories are shared. Watching the grandsons as they play.

Life has a different look now. You are thinking about life from a different perspective. There was a time when it was about building and conquering. Now life is about influencing and teaching. It is about what you will leave someone else someday.

The old Mercury is gone. Other cars have been used to travel the hundreds of thousands of miles since that night thirty-four years ago. Three children have been raised. Three grandsons have been enjoyed. Five churches have been pastored through those years. Many songs have been sung and many messages have been preached. Tears have been shed, but laughter has been there all along the way. A couple, started life together and continuing on. Trusting in each other. Depending upon God. Standing on the Word of God. Blessed beyond measure. No one knows what tomorrow holds, but we do know who holds our hand.

Remember, it’s just a thought!

Dedicated to my wonderful wife Melinda! I love you . . .

The Sword of the Spirit

The Sword of the Spirit

History knows the Roman short sword as the “sword that conquered the world.” One of the most easily recognized swords of any era is a Roman short sword. The sword was known for its short, double-edged 20” blade with a diamond–point tip. The Bible distinguishes the Roman double-edged sword, for its awesome powerfulness as a weapon, by using it, as an example, of the Word of God in Hebrews 4:12. This sword is also a critical part of the Biblical description of the “Full Armor of God.”

They tell great stories of Roman soldiers’ fierce bravery in battle (never retreating). Nevertheless, historians have shown there was a strategic fighting advantage behind this resolve. In the midst of combat, your sword and shield were vital. The first person to turn and retreat had his backside unprotected and the Roman short sword was the perfect weapon to deliver a fatal quick forward thrust.

In speaking, to us about the Armor of God, Paul instructs us to “take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”: (Eph. 6:17 KJV). Of all the parts of the Armor of God, the sword of the Spirit is the only weapon that we have. All of the other parts are for protection but the sword is the weapon for us to use in attacking the enemy or to fight back with.

The writer of Hebrews gives us a brief description of how powerful the Word of God is. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb 4:12 KJV)

He speaks of the Word of God being quick or alive. The Apostle Peter tells us that we are born again by the word of God which is alive and is eternal (1 Peter 1:23). The Hebrew writer also gives us another reason to use the sword of the Spirit and that is it is powerful!

When I hear the word “powerful” I think of something that is strong or forceful. However, as I began to study the word “powerful,” I also found it to have the following meanings. It is to be active, effectual and able. It means to be powerful in action. The word, “powerful,” comes from the Greek word “energes” which is where our word energy comes from. The word “work” comes from the same root word.

So, when the writer of Hebrews is describing the Word of God as powerful, he is telling us that it is “full of power and is able to achieve results.” In other words, if I use the word of God in Spiritual battle, it is going to accomplish what needs to be done.

Another term used to describe the Word of God is it is “sharper than any two-edged-sword.” He is speaking of it being sharp enough to cut in a single stroke rather than hacking away at it.

Several years ago a man attended a Church I pastored. This man worked in a chicken plant, for more than twenty years then, as a knife sharpener. I have never, before or since, seen a knife as sharp as this man could get them. He also made knives and sold them. We would bring our pocket knives or kitchen knives to him and he would sharpen them for us. My boys and I had a saying that a knife wasn’t sharp unless it was “Staley Sharp.” Staley was his last name. A kitchen knife that was “Staley Sharp” would cut through a thick piece of meat as if it were nothing.

The Word of God will slice through the problem no matter how difficult it seems. The writer of Hebrews tells us that it is so sharp it can separate the soul and spirit. It can divide the joint from the marrow of the bone. It can tell the difference between the thought and the intent of the heart. In other words, the things that we can’t separate, the Word of God can separate. Those things that we have trouble defining. The Word of God will define. Where a fine line needs cut. The Word of God will cut it.

Why is this important? Is this going to make a difference or help in my life? Will this enable me to be an over comer in battle? Yes! How often have I needed an answer, it seemed there were no answers at all, only to have the Word of God give clarity to the situation? The question of right and wrong comes up and there’s a “fine line” between the two. However, the Word of God makes a distinction and I know which way to go.

I remember an incident several years ago. God had been dealing with my heart to do something that I really did not want to do. I had a tremendous burden that I had carried for several years and many dreams that had yet to occur. If I did what I felt God was telling me to do, it would affect my family, my church and many others. I knew I would face great opposition and questions that I couldn’t answer, if I followed the direction I felt God leading me.

After much prayer and seeking clarity for this directive from God I came across a passage of scripture. I don’t know if it would ever speak to someone else the way it spoke to me but as I read it I knew what I had to do. The Word of God cut away all of the confusion and doubt in the situation.

In the summer of 1990 I was sitting in a Sunday School class while on vacation. They had diagnosed my father with Parkinson’s disease about a year prior to this time and I was dealing with a lot of confusion in my mind. Dad was a great man of faith. He was sixty years old and just now thinking of retirement. He wanted to travel some and be a blessing to Churches with teaching and preaching. Dad and Mom planned to enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. However, now all of those plans had changed. He was now dealing with a life debilitating disease. My confusion came because of these different changes. I also had questions because, as I said, Dad was a man of great faith. I had seen him pray for people and God instantly healed them. Yet, we had prayed for him several times and nothing had changed. As I sat there that day and the Pastor taught a Bible lesson, we read a passage from the Bible as part of the lesson. Although the lesson had nothing to do with the questions that I was dealing with, this passage cut right to the heart of my questions. The answer was made clear to me in an instant. Through the following years I held onto the Word I had received from God.

In talking about the Full Armor of God, we have referred to the enemy attacking with the spirit of fear. We have established how the different pieces of armor are effective in protecting us from these attacks of the enemy. One thing that we must realize is we cannot remain on the defense all of the time. The shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness and the other parts of the armor are all defensive in their protection. Yet, if we are on the defense too long, we will become weary and will eventually fall.

I like to listen to football games on the radio. It isn’t something I do often, but a couple of Saturdays during the season I will listen to my favorite college team play. Often, during a game, I have heard the announcers say, “They have got to get the defense off the field because they are wearing out!” I have yet to ever hear them say, “They have got to get the offense off the field they are wearing out!” Why is this? Because, when you are on offensive, and you are scoring points, you are in control of the game. When you are on defense you are trying to anticipate the opponent’s next move and react accordingly. You are trying to resist and push back against the thrust of the opponent.

The same is true in spiritual warfare. If you remain on the defense, you will wear out! You are constantly trying to anticipate the next move of the enemy. You are pushing back against his advances, constantly resisting him. This is why the sword of the Spirit is so important to us. It gives us the ability to attack the enemy! We can go on the offensive and take control of the battle and we will be victorious.


The sword is also used as a defensive tool. It can block a blow by the enemy and deliver a blow. We see this happening in the account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. Twice, Satan approached Jesus and tempted Him with the temptation of turning stones to bread and casting Himself off the pinnacle of the temple. Both times, Jesus used the Word of God to block the attack of the enemy. The third temptation Satan tempted Jesus with possessions if He would bow and worship him. This time Jesus attacked by saying, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt 4:10 KJV) In other word’s Jesus said, “Get out of here! The scripture says that you must worship the Lord your God. Worship only Him.” You will also notice that Satan left Jesus then.

Paul tells us in Romans 10:17 that our faith comes by hearing the Word of God. I have found it to be very effective to read or quote scriptures aloud when I am in warfare. As I read or quote the passage I am hearing it, which in turn builds my faith. Take your Bible in your hand and begin to read scripture that builds your faith to deal with your situation! Have victory and be an overcomer.

Personalize the scripture as you are reading it. For example, as passage that means a lot to me and has helped me in many battles is Psalms 149:4-9. Which reads:

“For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.” (Ps 149:4-9 KJV)

When I am in battle I like to read this way:

For the LORD taketh pleasure in ME: he will beautify ME with salvation.
5 SO I WILL be joyful in glory: I WILL sing aloud upon MY bed.
6 The high praises of God be in MY mouth, and a twoedged sword in MY hand;
7 To execute vengeance AND punishments upon MY ENEMY;
8 To bind the PRINCIPALITIES, POWERS AND RULERS OF DARKNESS with chains, and with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour I have AS his saint. I WILL Praise the LORD! Ps 149:4-9 KJV (NOTE: All of the capitalized words are added or changed by me to make it personal).

I can be victorious and have an overcoming life! That is the will and plan of God for me, as a child of God. This leads us to the last of our resources, which is prayer.