Holiness Understood

Few things are misunderstood more than holiness.  It is a quality entirely foreign to this world.  In his fallen state man cannot conceptualize holiness, much less understand it.  A sinner trying to figure out holiness would be like a snail trying to comprehend the speed of a F-22 Raptor.  God does not act holy:  He is holy.  He stands alone in the universe as the only pure, righteous, and flawless being, holy in Himself.  Humans have no context for holiness of character or thoughts.  If we were to do a word association with "holy," perhaps common responses would include:  religious, serious, uptight, a saint or priest.  From a non-christian perspective, trying to think about holiness is like a person trying to fly by waving their arms.

The other night after dinner, we read something which shatters our misconceptions of what holiness is.  Neh. 8:8-12:  "So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. [9] And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. [10] Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." [11] So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." [12] And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them."

Before we consider the attributes of holiness, let us briefly observe the whole passage.  The book of the Law had not been read for many years, and the truth found soft hearts.  The people wept as they were convicted by the Law of God.  Yet because the day was deemed holy to the Lord, Ezra told the people they were not to mourn, sorrow, or weep.  Instead of grief there was great joy in Israel.  They feasted, shared of God's bounty, and rejoiced greatly "because they understood the words that were declared to them."  Thankfully as we read the word of God we have the Holy Spirit to give us understanding.  We see Nehemiah, Ezra, and others fulfill this role as Christ later did in Luke 24:45 with His disciples:  "And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures."  A man cannot comprehend purity unless God reveal it to him.  In this simple passage there is much to aid us in our understanding of holiness.  More than a definition of holiness, we discover a wonderful description which aids our understanding of holiness.

"Holy" is defined in the Bible Knowledge Commentary as "sacred."  The Bible also tells us God is pure, righteous, and perfectly holy.  But what does that look like to our eyes?  Because the day was holy, the following instructions were given in the Nehemiah passage:

• They were forbidden to mourn or weep.  The people were told, "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  For some reason we tend to think that holiness must be attended with an unhappy scowl.  Not so!  Consider the little we know about heaven:  there will be no crying, sadness, or sorrow.  Only what is holy can enter heaven.  Joy, rejoicing, profound happiness mark a life of holiness.

• The people were told to "eat the fat and drink the sweet."  The richest foods were to be eaten, and the most delicious drinks not to be denied.  It was time to break out the good stuff!  Almost all celebrations on earth involve food.  Our holidays are almost defined by the meals we have to commemorate them.  It is a foretaste of heaven as we gather with friends and family.  A trait of holiness is divine satisfaction and fellowship.  For believers this sweetness of communion has already begun, though only to increase as we are daily fashioned into the image of Christ and await our eternal glorification.

• Another command was the people were to send portions to those who had none.  This affirms the generous, compassionate, and giving aspects of holiness.  God champions the cause of the widow and orphan and helping those who have no means to repay.  While we know nothing but selfishness, God gives to those who have none.  We have no chance of salvation in ourselves, and Jesus was sent to seek and save the lost.  When the children of Israel were in the wilderness God provided manna from heaven:  for all who are dead in sins Jesus was sent as the Bread of Life.

• In the words of the Jewish leaders:  "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."  While the world is filled with confusion and noise, noise, NOISE, God speaks in a small, still voice.  The KJV says "Hold your peace..."  What goes with quiet better than peace?  The life of holiness is one filled with peace, peace that passes understanding.  A man can give only what he possesses, and we serve the Prince of Peace who is willing to give His peace unto us.  Jesus is a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.  But grief is a product of sin.  Jesus willingly experienced this as well for our sakes that we might be permanently freed from it.

Though this was a brief exposition, may God clarify and increase our understanding of holiness so we might rejoice as the Israelites did.  How liberating it is to worship God in spirit and truth as we grow in our knowledge of God.  Did you know that holiness is beautiful?  May we sing with David in Psalm 29:1-2:  "Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength. [2] Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."

Grow in Grace

When I woke up this morning, the LORD said:  "Grow in grace."  Sometimes we think of grace as something to be received or given.  The fact remains it reaches even deeper:  grace is something to be grown in.  This statement placed upon my heart today is found in one scripture: 2 Peter 3:18.  The context is Peter warning believers that many would twist and contort the scriptures and invite their own destruction.  2 Peter 3:17-18 says, "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. [18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." [KJV]  The contrast is clear:  we can be lead away by the error of the wicked or grow in grace.

Grace is undeserved favor, goodness we have no right to be offered or much less receive.  This grace is offered to the repentant freely from God.  The greater grace we extend to others, the greater supply is given to us by God.  When we ration God's grace to only the "deserving," grace is no longer grace.  Too often we tend towards Pharisee favour rather than grace which resembles that of our heavenly Father.  There was no group of people more led away by wickedness according to Christ than the Pharisees, because they justified themselves righteous according to their own works.  By tightly rationing the grace of God with others we constrict His grace toward us.  By tightly clamping our hands on God's grace, we prevent ourselves from receiving additional supply.  Hoarding the gift of grace from others hurts us most of all.  God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Peter says, "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."  We ought to increase in grace, meaning that the grace of God should be revealed in and through our lives more each day.  As we surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit's power, our knowledge of God and His ways will grow.  Experience is a great teacher.  That is how we grow in our relationship with the Greatest Teacher, Jesus Christ:  we grow in grace when we experience Him personally.  When our eyes are opened to how undeserving we are of God's favor, He grants us grace to give grace to others.  As long as we are sufficient in ourselves we have no need for grace.  Oh, we need grace - but pride keeps our need hidden from our eyes.

Physical growth occurs through life, nourishment, experience, rest, and how the body is programmed at the genetic level.  Spiritually speaking it is much the same:  God brings life to our souls, nourishes us through His Word, and teaches us through experience as we rest in Christ's finished work.  Stress and resistance placed upon muscles, tendons, and ligaments help them to grow stronger.  Trials and tribulations cause our faith to grow as ease never could.  We grow in grace when we choose to trust God and extend His grace to others as He freely gives it to us.  This will challenge us.  We will no doubt at times feel taken advantage of, unprotected, uncomfortable, and vulnerable.  It is in this place of weakness where God will prove His grace is sufficient for us, for His strength is made perfect in weakness.

Ol' John Ploughman

At any given time I seem to be reading a couple books at a time.  I recently raided my dad's bookshelf to re-read a classic, Charles Spurgeon's "John Ploughman's Pictures and More of His Talk."  I do not know the exact date of publication, but it was likely written in the late 1800's.  There is hardly a man who ever lived who had the wit, wisdom, and common sense of this beloved preacher.  I enjoy reading his works because the LORD uses him not only to hold forth the wisdom of God in a masterful way, but in so doing humbles me concerning my weak words.  If you ever find an author who exposes your best attempts as feeble and joyfully goads you to do better, procure and read as many of those books as you can!

Here is a delightful paragraph I read the other night on page 84 of the aforementioned book which contains witty proverbial sayings to go along with pictures:

"The worst sort of clever men are those who know better than the Bible and are so learned that they believe that the world had no Maker, and that men are only monkeys with their tails rubbed off.  Dear, dear me, this is the sort of talk we used to expect from Tom of Bedlam, but now we get it from clever men.  If things go on in this fashion a poor ploughman will not be able to tell which is the lunatic and which is the philosopher.  As for me, the old Book seems to be a deal easier to believe than the new notions, and I mean to keep to it.  Many a drop of good broth is made in an old pot, and many a sweet comfort comes out of the old doctrine.  Many a dog has died since I first opened my eyes, and every one of these dogs has had his day, but in all the days put together they have never hunted out a real fault in the Bible, nor started anything better in its place.  They may be very clever, but they will not find a surer truth than that which God teaches, nor a better salvation than that which Jesus brings, and so finding my life in the gospel I mean to live in it, and so ends this chapter."

Here is another portion from pages 85-86:

"We have all heard of the two men who quarreled over an oyster, and called in a judge to settle the question:  he ate the oyster himself, and gave them a shell each.  This reminds me of the story of the cow which two farmers could not agree about, and so the lawyers stepped in and milked the cow for them, and charged them for their trouble in drinking the milk.  Little is got by law, but much is lost by it.  A suit in law may last longer than any suit a tailor can make you, and you may yourself be worn out before it comes to an end.  It is better for to make matters up and keep out of court, for if you are caught there you are caught in the brambles, and won't get out without damage.  John Ploughman feels a cold sweat at the thought of getting into the hands of lawyers.  He does not mind going to Jericho, but he dreads the gentlemen on the road, for they seldom leave a feather upon any goose which they pick up.

However, if men will fight they must not blame the lawyers; if law were cheaper, quarrelsome people would have more of it, and quite as much would be spent in the long run.  Sometimes, however, we get dragged into court willy nilly, and then one had need be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.  Happy is he who finds an honest lawyer, and does not try to be his own client.  A good lawyer always tries to keep people out of law, but some clients are like moths with the candle, they must and will burn themselves.  He who is so wise that he cannot be taught will have to pay for his pride."

A Lasting Work

As I think back about the four-plus years I spent on staff at Calvary Chapel El Cajon, there were many building projects and repairs I performed.  Our fellowship is in the process of vacating portions of the building because we have sold it to a school.  This school plans to spend the summer doing major renovations and remodeling of the structure.  I think about the hours spend scraping and replacing floors, fixing hardware, patching and painting walls, organizing and sorting paint and supplies which will be completely rubbed out.  Walls I have patched will be torn down; cables I have run will be cut; pipes I have fixed will be removed and re-routed.  It's depressing in a way, to think of all that hard work being undone.

I have come to realize it is not the work itself which matters.  The labor of a custodian whose efforts are erased in the moment he leaves the restroom he has cleaned or masons who built cathedrals which have stood for centuries can stand on equal footing.  One work clearly outshines the other according to man's perception, but whatever is done for the glory of God will stand for eternity and be rewarded by Him, though all memory of it has faded from the earth.  The poetic adage of C.T. Studd still rings true today:  "Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last."  Everything done in the flesh for God is as chaff, fit only for the fire.  The testimony of the strength of the flesh may stand for thousands of years, but a small fleeting thing done led by the Spirit for God will last forever.  As Jesus says in Matthew 10:42:  "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."  A cup of water is consumed and eliminated, but God remembers and rewards something even as insignificant as this when done for His glory.

It is time we stopped regarding the work as the thing to be admired:  we must worship and admire the KING of kings with our works.  It is for this purpose we have been created and redeemed.  Titus 2:11-14 states, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, [12] teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, [13] looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, [14] who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."  The man who lays the carpet, the one who vacuums the carpet, and the one who removes the carpet and replaces it with tile all have great reward if done for the glory of God.  It is not for the sake of reward that we serve, but for the sake of our great God who loves us and gave His own life for us.  Whatever we do, may it be for the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.