The main thing that distinguishes God from everything else is His HOLINESS.
Compromised “Church-ianity” has been relentless in its attempt to bring God down to the human level, and raise man up to the divine level. Humanizing God and deifying man has minimized sin in the minds of church goers. Self-esteem, positive thinking, psychological coping techniques, and lesser “earthly” themes are diversions from the ultimate reality—eternal accountability to the HOLY GOD.
Corrupt congregations deny the majesty of God by disobeying His moral mandates. Seemingly, no sin is so outrageous as to offend modern sensibilities. Fornication, absentee fathers, adultery, drunkenness, militant feminism, and even Sodom in the sanctuary go unrebuked. The reason our nation is in free-fall is because of bankrupt religion. Discernment is at an all-time low. Sentiment has displaced Scripture. Culture is king—not Christ. Public opinion is valued more than personal integrity. Church membership seldom carries any responsibility. More often than not, race trumps grace. Societal norms are mimicked as the slide toward Gomorrah goes unchecked.
When churches condone what the Bible condemns they are assaulting God’s holiness. The mental gymnastics required to justify the unjustifiable would readily be detected in a spiritually sane environment. Direction in a ministry is not determined by what is taught, but by that which is tolerated. Sins that are tolerated today will be celebrated in time. Whatever is permitted is promoted. The sins of the fathers will impact the children and generations to follow.
The short term gains of accommodation are nothing compared to the eternal loss at the judgment seat. Those who choose comfort over character in the here-and-now will suffer unspeakable shock when standing before Him whose eyes are like flames of fire.
Our God is not a cosmic smiley face—He is “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY”. The earth and the very heavens will be shaken when He reveals Himself in dreadful severity. That’s why we have such stern warnings… “For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth…Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: FOR OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE” (Heb. 12:25-29).
The Bible sounds numerous warnings about holy wrath and impending judgment. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all HOLY CONVERSATION and godliness” (2 Peter 3:10-11).
To the unsaved holiness is unattractive, restrictive, repulsive, and harsh. The discomfort it brings to unconverted men is the reason churches misrepresent God by never mentioning this despised attribute—His unspeakable holiness.
Looking at history confirms that neglecting God’s holiness is the sure path to apostasy. Rarely do congregations which legitimize the illegitimate reverse course and turn back to the narrow way. In light of the eternal consequences, seek out a church with a backbone. Find one that not only claims to believe the Bible, but one that dares to PRACTICE TRUTH in a compromised age.
The black and white declarations in Scripture are non-negotiable. Any church which negates “Thus saith the Lord…” statements has crossed the line. Spurgeon said, “Fellowship with known and vital error is participation in sin.”
Breaking with what’s familiar is painful, but staying true to Christ is paramount. In eternity, we all will reckon with the choices we made in time. Furthermore, our earthly decisions will impact the eternal destination of others.
God is defined by holiness, and so are His followers. The inspired writer said, “Follow… holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).
Harold Vaughan
I wish this article would be read by every Christian in America. Thanks
Amen to The Altar Call. Holiness of God is at best mentioned trivially anymore in most American evangelical churches. The Church has given up on Holiness so much that some denominations don’t even encourage reading of Matthew 5 for their people, saying that it is for the Jews.
Many words are practically banned from the modern day evangelical church or mean not much. (“Deny self, deny world (James 4), consecration to bring all to altar for God to consume, crucified to own wisdom, fasting the world, “judge yourself so that you will not be judged”, “Thank God for past-Luke 19 leper story”, “Cry of Hebrews 5:7”, introspect, emptying as in John 5:30, First Love for God (Revelation 2:4), care for poor (Matthew 6), hate sin, pilgrims in earth etc.,)
What is Holiness? Could we say John 15:5 is It?
It is Being Hidden in Him. That is to say to be totally lost inside Him. It is Being Blessed with God’s Distinct Control in their lives (Luke 9:23) and their Total Dependence on Lord for God’s Will to be Fulfilled in that path, at all cost and any cost.
Holiness is Counting the cost as in Luke 14. The Lord said ‘Don’t follow or call Me Lord if you do not count the cost ahead of time’.
Rather Christians are happy to be “followers” all their life, just go to church services and revival services, and not want to become GOD-BUILT Disciples.
Holiness is Having Experienced Romans 6:3-5 fresh Daily and overflowing with it.
If the above foundation is not in place,
•Bible college wisdom will look appealing even if it is far from God’s Paradise Wisdom.
•Theoretical text book knowledge alone will be encouraged in each sermon and Bible study to figure God out with academic research glasses on and denominational bias on who is God and not child like openness to Bible as it is.
It is possible to not have this foundation and still build great buildings. But time will tell the verdict of God, on which wisdom the building was built. The Holy Building Will not shake for Eternity, since it has God as its Foundation as Lord laid it in Luke 9:23, Luke 14, Romans 6.
Today’s Christian Wisdom (man-made) says:
1.Practically, I can do without Romans 6, but i will quote select verses at times.
2.I will take Romans 7 theme and do home run.
3.I will take only half of Romans 8 and 8:1 only in convenient Translations, and thanks very much.
It is worthy for each family and church to see if they are building week after week on The True and Everlasting Foundation.
otherwise, what a vain effort it will be (God Will Reveal All on Judgment day as bro. Harold lovingly pointed out)
This Everlasting Foundation can never be found, if the sheep does not have The Fear of God. Matthew 7:25
Without Fear of God, it is easy to put God in a box to suit the denomination’s viewpoint of God. (Getting 10 verses for each doctrine to convince themselves to believe whatever they want to believe about their biased view of God and way of life and christian worldview)
if someone is found in Holy Fear of Their Creator, they will be found one among Luke 18:13, where God called them JUST AND RIGHT.
Yes, if you find holy people of God, you will see them humble to the dust, for they will be imitating their Lord Jesus Christ, without even Trying (Lord’s Spirit Will Do It)
Hebrews 11 people were Holy people, since they gave Full Control of their lives to their God, so God chose each of their destiny and not themselves. After all, only the “owners” Take Decisions for what they own.
Who owns us? Is it partnership? (as some say 80% God, 20% me)
Do we want Full crucifixion? (Philippians 3:10)
•Yes, if God Alone Takes All Decisions for you and me supernaturally, then we are holy. (consecrated)
•None of us, and all of Him
•For this God needs Full permission from us (Luke 14) to touch us (Potter can’t work with a clay that will talk back)
Thank You Lord
Thanks Bro. Harold
It is not too late to Raise the Banner and bro. Harold has done it today for our Lord
Thank you. Totally true and just the state that the world is in today.
Thank you Harold