The Hole In Holiness

The hole in Holiness

Romans chapter 8:1-11

Introduction-

Last week we looked at Gideon. We saw from the Scriptures that God had a plan.

A plan for each one of us.

That each one of us is called to some capacity in the kingdom of God.

This morning I want to look at how that is possible.

How can God use us for His glory and by what power are we able to do that.

Romans chapter 8:1-11

“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Because through Jesus Christ He has set us free! (That should get an Amen!)

By saying Amen, you are saying that is the truth, or so be it Lord!

So I say it again- there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus- because through Jesus Christ He has set us free.

Memorial Day is a day we honor all the great men and women who have protected and served our great country. The ones who have taught us and showed us that freedom is not free, it cost someone something.

Christ has set us free or at least is willing to set us free, but it has cost Him dearly to do that for each one of us.

Let’s put that in perspective this morning-

No condemnation for those who are in Christ.

Condemnation comes from Satan. It is the beating down of us in our minds for things we have done in the past. Even the things we have asked God for forgiveness for. We never seem to get a release from God because we are not able to forgive ourselves.

Even though God has forgiven us. That does not come from God.

Conviction on the other hand is from God. It is the state of showing an error, God compelling us to right a wrong. A strong persuasion of truth, leading us back into a right relationship with God.

One pushes us away from God.

One draws us toward God.

We have believers today that the devil has consistently beat them up for things in their past. Things that God said were under the blood of Christ. They are forgiven. They need to move forward in the grace of God and love of God.

We also have believers that have been convicted by the Holy Spirit, compelling them to right a wrong, compelling them to draw back to God. They need to heed the conviction and restore the relationship with the Lord.

You see- there is a hole in most people’s holiness.

We have become too comfortable and at peace with worldliness. Too much at ease with sin in our lives and we form our own holiness.

I am not holy because I don’t smoke or drink, because I don’t use swear words. It is not based on what I do or don’t do. It is based on what Jesus Christ has done for me and through me that makes me holy.

Jesus is a complete savior. Amen!

He does not only take away the guilt of my sins.

He does more! He breaks the power of sin.

We give little thought and effort to do what Christ saved us to do.

Be Holy as He is holy, and live our lives like the Spirit of God is directing us.

We will fully embrace the freedom we want in Christ, but we do not pursue Christ-like virtues.

We downplay the Scriptures that tell us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling- because “it is not by works that we are saved”.

Or the Scripture that says that we are to cleanse ourselves from any defilement of body and spirit.

Paul tells us Ephesians 5:15- “Look carefully then how you walk”

Yes, there is freedom of Christ- thank God for that.

Also says- there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and we need to make sure we are in a right relationship with Christ.

Illustration-

Bill was a drunk, converted at a city mission. (Like Bethesda Mission)Before his conversion he had gained a reputation as a tramp and alcoholic for whom there was no hope. But when he was converted everything changed. He became the most caring person at the mission. He spent all his days there doing whatever needed to be done. There was never anything he was asked to do that he considered beneath him. Whether it was cleaning up vomit left by some alcoholic or scrubbing toilets used by men who left them filthy, Bill did it all with a heart of gratitude. He could be counted on to feed any man who wandered in off the streets and care for his needs when he was unable to care for himself. One evening after the mission director delivered his evangelistic message to the usual crowd of solemn men with drooped heads, one of them came down to the altar and kneeled to pray, crying out to God to help him change. The repentant drunk kept shouting, O God, make me like Bill! Make me like Bill! Make me like Bill! The director of the mission leaned over and said, “wouldn’t it be better to pray. Make me like Jesus? After thinking about it for a few seconds, the man looked up and asked, is he like Bill? People are to see Jesus in our lives.