Sitting Outside in the Dark
Experience has taught the [human] race that if knowledge of God is the end, then these habits of life are not the means but the condition in which the means operates. You do not have to do these things; not at all. God does not, I regret to report, give a hoot. You do not have to do these things -- unless you want to know God. They work on you, not on Him.
You do not have to sit outside in the dark. If, however, you want to look at the stars, you will find that darkness is necessary. But the stars neither require nor demand it.
Alas, that is how we view Holiness sometimes. We view it as a series of habits or do-s and don't-s. We think of it in terms of the things we do, or at least should do, that will make us Christlike.
We think God wants us to go to church. -- God wants us to be in His presence.
We think God wants us to sing hymns vs. contemporary music. -- God wants us to worship Him.
We think God wants us to do good works. -- God want us to love one another as Christ loved us.
We think God wants us to give 10% of everything we earn. -- God wants us to give it all to Him and allow Him to use it to build His Kingdom.
We think Gods wants us to DO a bunch of stuff. -- God wants us to know Him intimately. And that may mean sitting in the dark sometimes.
Excellent post brother.
ReplyDeleteYou really have made me think.
I like that about your blog.
Keep up the wonderful work.
I pray that God will bless you, your family and ministry.
In Him,
Kinney Mabry
One of the concepts as holiness people that is sooooo important is the basic Biblical concept of holiness - qedoush (spelling). Holiness is a separation or better demarcation between different things or in the case of believers lifestyles. In Gen. one we see the foundation of holiness - Yahweh separates; waters above from waters beneath , water from the dirt, and all the rest of the defining demarcations throughout the six days. Each of the dynamics listed show lines of distinction marked out contrast -ualy from one another. In as much as the water is holy from the ground we are to be holy from the world. There are meeting places the shoreline the horizon (waters above meeting the waters beneath) where there are at times crossover. Between us and Yahweh this place of crossover we have come to understand as worship or prayer - intimacy. Between the Church and the world evangelism….
ReplyDeletePastor Art