God is interesting.
Here He is, the Holy One, for whom the angels can only declare that aspect of His character.
As such He is the truest and greatest expression of purity in the universe. He abhors anything that is unlike Him in His holiness.
What does He do? Sends the Lamb without blemish and without spot to be the perfect sacrifice for humanity that has polluted, stank up, marred and profaned the pure creation made by the Lord.
Amazing.
What is His requirement of those that follow Him? Holiness. Indeed it’s so important that what is at stake is expressed clearly according to the writer of Hebrews.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
That is the standard expected, which is possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (you can see that in the name, you see).
One aspect of the role of the Holy Spirit that I was reflecting particularly recently was illuminating the murky areas of me that defiles.
Even having walked with the Lord for over 20 years, there are still moments where the light is turned to corners and crevices of my being that threaten to dirty up the clean vessel the Holy Spirit looks to live in.
I’m glad of this work, because what I do not want to do is make mucky, that which the Lord makes clean. That’s not just a desire on an individual level. That goes for those with whom I do life in Christ.
The best way of looking at it is in the choir scenario. If one guy doesn’t hit the right note. it sours the listening experience. All it takes is one brother to go off-key, either too sharp or too flat. That’s all it takes, and that which should be a feast for the ears turns foul.
As I’m learning, in as much as what this looks at can be physically evident bad practices, of greater importance is getting to the issues of the heart. Whether it’s ungodly attitudes or ungodly thoughts, it can be subtle of very obvious. Whatever the case, it’s important to remain ever humble and aware of our capacity to err, and to co-operate with the Spirit of liberty that looks to free us from bondage to such unwholesome vestiges.
Indeed, it’s one thing to recognise that on the individual level, it’s something even greater to see it at the communal level and be able to share with others so we can do what’s necessary not to stink up the gospel of Jesus Christ with that which contradicts it.
This really is not a preoccupation with the negative. This is the reality that in the light of the Holy, we become aware of the unholy and can see the need to do something about it – or more accurately give it to the Holy One to lead us to do something about it.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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