Happiness in Holiness
By Pastor John Price
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Intro:
**Can we find Happiness in Holiness?
1 Peter 1:15-16
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." NKJV
Hebrews 12:14
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: NKJV
So what is scriptural holiness?
1. Is it just what clothes you wear, or what hair style you hold, or even what music that you listen to that alone defines scriptural holiness? NO- God is not near as concerned with the appearance as He is concerned with the condition of our heart. God examines the heart first.
2. Holiness- To be HOLY the word holy denotes that which is "sanctified" or "set apart" for divine service. To be consecrated to his will to be the reflection of Christ in this world by following His commandments.
• Mother Teresa once said “True holiness consists in doing God’s will with a smile”
• God’s Word tells us that true happiness comes by keeping God’s law
Psalms 1:1-2
1 Blessed is the man, who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. NKJV
• Blessing and Happiness are found in obedience to the law of the Lord.
Proverbs 16:20
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.
NKJV
Proverbs 29:18
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.
NKJV
** John Wesley once said "The neglect of prayer (relationship) is a grand hindrance to holiness."
** In a passionate pursuit of a relationship with Christ we will become the epitome of true holiness.
Conclusion:
To answer our question-
Can we find happiness in holiness? The answer is yes.
If we accept that ---
1. God commands holiness. (not an option)
a. God said be Holy not Happy
2. If we understand that true happiness is found in a holy life style.
** The Theologian William Temple once said:
To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God.”
