Holiness

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word – It reveals God’s holiness.  He is set apart from anything evil, wicked, less than true.  He is completely righteous and loving.  Even His justice and correction comes from His great love.  If He didn’t judge sin and compensate the wicked, He wouldn’t be love.  Holiness is God’s requirement, but the spirit of religion and the Spirit of God address holiness in a completely different way.  The religious spirit always addresses holiness with accusation, guilt and condemnation.  The Holy Spirit always addresses holiness with invitation.  Invitation to be free from the sin that so easily besets you, that tries to trap you.  Holiness is God’s character.  If we fall short the Holy Spirit reminds and invites us, He doesn’t condemns us – He invites us higher.  God’s grace is available and it’s more than enough to forgive and to help you choose victory next time!  The Holy Spirit doesn’t excuse sin, and He doesn’t accuse you of it.  He’s not the accuser, but He does expose it.  He reveals it to you - so you can repent (think differently about it), turn, and change course to righteousness.  It takes humility, and then – obedience.  The spirit of religion makes you feel bad and condemns you.  The Holy Spirit knows that your sin condemns you and He comes to set you free, not only from the sin, and the condemnation that it brought, but also the guilt that comes with it.  He doesn’t dismiss guilt, He removes it.  There’s a difference.  Sin always produces condemnation and guilt.  Guilt is not the enemy – some people are trying to get rid of guilt, when they’re guilty!  And they keep doing things that bring more guilt.  It’s just the result of sin which is the problem, from the real enemy – the enemy of your soul.  Praise God for a Savior who is Christ the LORD!  You are not only free from sin, but the guilt of your sin.  And He gives you the power to not go back.  Praise God – He’s the God of moving on – moving forward – leaving that place and that stuff behind.  When the Israelites came out of Egypt – the physical picture of being in bondage – slaves to sin, once they crossed the Jordan – like the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins – they escaped death that sin always brings – and they never went back!  God has victory for you.  His ways are so much better.  Sin sucks, it has nothing of value, it isn’t even fun after a few minutes. And it’s effects could control you for a lifetime.  God releases you.  The Holy Spirit will guide you in truth, in the path chosen for you – the way God has that is best for you.  Holiness isn’t a drag, or an impossible dream.  It’s awesome to be free!  That’s why God calls it the beauty of Holiness.  Holiness is of God – and there is a beauty to it.  It’s what He gives you through Jesus Christ – and your faith in Him, and it’s what He leads you in by the Holy Spirit.  Condemnation always wants you to look back.  Grace helps you look forward – and keep moving!  His Word is the power you need.  Praying that PRISM transforms your mind today.  That PiVAT reveals God’s perfect plan, and that you walk in joy – separate from your ways – and completely occupied with His.  That’s holiness.  He gives it, and leads you in it – for His glory and your good!
 
Love you all,
dad