Holiness
“Holiness is like a diamond. It has many facets”
– Dr. Roger Green at Holiness Ablaze, 2010
Holiness. Holy is defined by Dictionary.com as, “1. Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred. 2. Living according to a strict or highly moral religious or spiritual system; saintly: a holy person, and, 3. Specified or set apart for a religious purpose: a holy place. That’s an easy answer to the following question. What is holiness?
I need to live a Holy life. It’s no just a desire it’s a calling placed on my life. And it only makes sense to me that I should dig seep into something I am doing to know more about it. With the help of the Founder of the ‘Army’, William Booth, we can cover some misconceptions about Holiness and a holy life. Some of which hinder us Christians from living out our Holiness.
1. Holiness is not having a heart that can’t be tempted. Jesus was tempted in the desert.
2. Holiness is not having a heart that can’t sin. Paul struggled with sin in Romans 7.
3. Holiness is not boring or a hindrance to a fascinating life. In actuality, living out your holiness tears the roof off your life that sin holds over you.
It is very important, as William Booth emphasized, that we recognize what holiness isn’t. It is so we are not blinded or even tricked into something other than holiness if its’ holiness we strive for. These are the types of things you want to present to your friends, in bible studies and other places so that they can begin a holiness journey, being clear about their holiness. They can then be ready to find out what holiness is and stay focused on that.
It can be comparative to surgery. You have to address the cancer before focusing on rehabilitation will be effective. As Catherine Booth stated, “Before you talk about holiness you have to talk about sin.”
Two- What Holiness Is
Catherine Booth seems like a firecracker when it comes to theology as you read on about her history in biographical books. She was definitely influential to The Salvation Army’s doctrine as well as the Salvationists whom she came in contact with. In another lecture of Dr Roger Green’s, we were presented with Catherine Booth’s impact on the The Salvation Army’s holiness teaching.
Catherine sometimes seemed to have summed up sin to be few things which include an evil heart of unbelief, impetuous will, and a momentary loss of common sense. Now that I have discussed some of what holiness isn’t I can talk about what holiness is.
Holiness is giving due to a different love.
In a brief lecture there was described, personally by Dr. Green, a painting that someone worked as an illustration of hell. The painting consisted of a large table in a dark, but lit room. Around the table were skeletal creatures with long spoons. In the center of the table there was delicious, nutritious fruit in a bowl. The man described the painting as these creatures stuck there for eternity trying to feed themselves, pathetically, with the spoons. But all the while, the spoons were too long for them to reach their mouths. They would be stuck in this manner forever, trying to feed themselves day in and day out, not getting any food or any healthier. The principle was that those skeletons in the painting could not see that if they had all reached over and fed the one across from them at the table, all of them would be fed and healthy for eternity. But they only thought about them selves. This wonderful contrast illustrates that Holiness is and requires love for others. It’s asked of us by our God and is important to Catherine as she engages to keeping Christian communion, as it should be for all of us.
Catherine Booth had often expressed her opinions on what holiness was and she described it as being “full of love that destroys the self and fills the soul with heavenly generosity”. What kind of love is this? The only true love, the love that flows from God. I have made the mistake of thinking love is from that of an attraction to something else; that thing that bonds me to another. Maybe “love at first sight?” That love is a benefit to me. I gain something therefore its love. Indeed true love is binding, but that “love”, as we describe it, doesn’t transform you. God’s love transforms; it destroys the sense of need to have that something else and gives you new ways of thinking about others. A heaven inspired generosity that is embraced and expected by Jesus as described in Mark 12: 30-32,
“30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'There is no commandment greater than these."(NIV). Holiness is experiencing the fullness or the potential of this selfless love that is God. Love is giving.
This kind of love and holy lifestyle change saves marriages as those involved approach a mature perspective on real love and begin living for one another.
This kind of love feeds, clothes, and gives home to the hungry when we recognize someone in need who is created and loved by the same heavenly Father who created and loves us.
That love pardons others exemplifying mercy and grace resulting in second chances that prove to be worthwhile. This kind of love sparks inspiration and encouragement resulting in wonderful expressions of poetry, music, painting, and more.
That love is developed during spiritual maturity when someone has replaced the fear they once had for God when they were saved and didn’t want to go to hell, because of his might, with an altruistic love for Him because of his grace and now a willingness to live to please Him. Holiness bleeds transforming love. It’s selfless and full for others.
Holiness is full consecration to the truth of God.
If you want money you submit to employer authority. If you want transportation (a car) you submit to a loan contract. If you want health you submit to doctor’s prescription. If you want cell phone service you must submit to the provider’s terms. If you want Holiness than, you submit to God.
Consecration or full submission to Christ was absolutely integral to the Army and its leaders and is the very root of The Salvation Army. Without that full selfless devotion, The Salvation Army would not have passed the test and we would not be here today. A holy movement would not the Army be, if they did not submit to God, even if they did good deeds. I find that submission is integral to my holiness also, to submit to Christ as ruler of my life. Being Holy is only possible by God who is holy so you must know who God is to be holy. If you are running from any aspect of God, then you are running from holiness.
I see that the intentional rebellion from God will separate me from God and it disengages communion with God. If you know the truth about God and you do not submit to it, you run the risk of being separated from God. Although he certainly does, he isn’t obligated to bless some one who rejects Him, would you? So intentional or purposeful communion (relationship) with God is only done by acceptance or submission to him. Holiness requires communion (or relationship) with God who is the source of holiness. You have to connect to the source on His terms. So holiness only comes with full consecration to God, his will, and his word. If you reject God you reject holiness, he is the source of it.
I’m not suggesting that when we fail to connect with God in the little ways that we are doomed for hell or a life long chastisement.
I’m pointing out the importance of staying connected with God. I am signaling that the benefit of having full bars with God far outweighs the reception of the world. Staying connected to God gives you the full potential to live out your holy label. The Stronger connection you have to God, the less sin that is affective against you = less limits on your holy potential. This requires you to submit to the provider’s terms. Holiness is full submission to the terms and agreements God has set for us.
Holiness is being set apart and living accordingly
Catherine Booth in her mission would also stress not conforming to the world. She believed strongly by the third definition of Holiness to be as described by our definition earlier, “Specified or set apart for a religious purpose: a holy place.” As Christians, we are set apart by God, for a holy purpose. Things set apart for a purpose are most treasured when they live up to that purpose. When Catherine encourages us to be set apart as a window to holiness and not conform to this world. By the world she means the common culture, the collective self centered culture around us. Even in Catherine’s days, the late 1800’s, the common culture in England was still tolerant of sinful philosophy and lustful behavior. This would include the way people dressed, the focus on material things, consumption and over consumption of alcohol and tobacco, the inappropriate dialogue, the social injustice, and more. The same issues our community struggles with in our present time. Paul is urging in Romans about this in what must have been part of the biblical basis of Catherine Booth’s conviction.
“1Therefore, 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. 2Do 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. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”(Rom. 12:1-3, NIV)
Paul is urging us here to not entertain sinful nature, but to be set free of it with the insight we gain from God’s Word. That renewing of our mind, it challenges us to think differently about what we let slide in our lives, what we deem is ok, what we are tolerant of. In acknowledgement and gratuity for his grace we should be motivated to show the world His way of loving, thinking, acting, and such. Since the common culture is a rebellious one, this will obviously look different. But this is good. Jesus is quoted in Matthew 5:14 it saying, 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” As holy people, we are called to obey God’s law which is not the same as the law that the rebellious have manifested, but Christ encourages us to continue this for we stand out like a beacon of truth for those who are lost and want to be found. Holiness is me putting God’s culture above human culture. There are blessings to be had in this life if we do this. The media, events, people, places, and activities we engage in must be put against the Word of God, prayer and good theology so that we are not caught up in worldly things, but that we are caught up God pleasing and not man pleasing.
These are important points to look at. We should search our hearts deeply and make sure that we’re applying them to our lives since are reading, them and professing them. Relying on God’s true love will destroy our self-interest and replace it with a care for others as for it’s what we hope for in our community. Submitting yourself to God will let you receive this transforming love and be a beacon to those who need a better, alternative life.
Holiness is full consecration to the truth of God.
Holiness is giving due to a different love.
Holiness is being set apart and living accordingly.
