Earlier we emphasized righteousness.
I have mentioned that unity and fellowship are based on 1) beginning purity, our justification, our entrance into the body, and 2) continuing purity, our walking in the light and being continually cleansed. Both of these have to do with being forgiven.
There is a better way. It is not getting dirty, not sinning. We see this in a number of places in scripture: It is in being holy.
• My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. 1 John 2:1
• As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. 1 Peter 1:14, 15
• Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1, 2
• But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48
One of the questions I ask Christians is:
• “Do you want to be holy?”
I get all kinds of evasive answers, like:
• “It is impossible, so it’s not a good question.”
• “If it means being like so and so, No.”
• “I think legalism is wrong.”
• “I don’t want to be out of step with the evangelical culture. If I were holy, I would lose my Christian friends.”
• “I like my distinctive doctrine.”
• “I want to be right in my theology more than I want to be holy.”
The question remains, “Do you want to be holy?” If the answer is evasive or “No”, then you are saying you do not want unity, at least not at your expense.
(Taken from Day & Night: Unity Series, 2003)
I have mentioned that unity and fellowship are based on 1) beginning purity, our justification, our entrance into the body, and 2) continuing purity, our walking in the light and being continually cleansed. Both of these have to do with being forgiven.
There is a better way. It is not getting dirty, not sinning. We see this in a number of places in scripture: It is in being holy.
• My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. 1 John 2:1
• As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. 1 Peter 1:14, 15
• Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1, 2
• But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48
One of the questions I ask Christians is:
• “Do you want to be holy?”
I get all kinds of evasive answers, like:
• “It is impossible, so it’s not a good question.”
• “If it means being like so and so, No.”
• “I think legalism is wrong.”
• “I don’t want to be out of step with the evangelical culture. If I were holy, I would lose my Christian friends.”
• “I like my distinctive doctrine.”
• “I want to be right in my theology more than I want to be holy.”
The question remains, “Do you want to be holy?” If the answer is evasive or “No”, then you are saying you do not want unity, at least not at your expense.
(Taken from Day & Night: Unity Series, 2003)
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