Tag: holiness

The Rhythm of Christianity

On February 4, 2015

Each day every Christian struggles with sin. It is a progressive journey of overcoming the “acts of the flesh,” and allowing God’s Spirit to produce the “fruit of the Spirit.” Within this daily struggle there will be bouts with selfish desires. The world will interpret that as hypocritical, but it is inescapably the rhythm of Christian life. The dance of the Christian life may have a cadence like this: One step forward (repent), one slip back (sin). Two steps forward (repent, grow), one slip back (sin). Three steps forward (repent, grow, go!).

When we deny ourselves and read His Word regularly, when we deny ourselves and produce acts of kindness and mercy through His spirit, when we wake each morning with His praises as our first thought and when we lay down in communion with Him each evening — we grow in Christ.

It is not possible for a person to claim to be a Christian who actively and perpetually lives an unrepentant, sinful lifestyle. The world lives this lifestyle. As Christians, “We are called to be in it, but not of the world.” America is the greatest country in the world. It was founded by a Christian majority and structured on Christian beliefs. Sadly, we have lost sight of our nation’s heritage. Our prosperity has lulled our integrity and character to sleep. Now we live in a dream world of takers rather than givers, of dependents rather than contributors, of consumers rather than producers.

Jesus commanded, “Be holy as I am holy.” We are a “holy priesthood!” We are separate from the world. We are pinhole lights in a tapestry of darkness. We must surrender daily and allow God’s spirit to shine through us to call the lost world to the Light. Do not worry about people who will call you a “hypocrite!” The religious of Christ’s time called Jesus the same thing – then they crucified Him. It will be only by His mercy and through His grace, that we will be able to endure our cross as well.

Marriage: Holy Matrimony

By Marshall Mabry

On June 30, 2011

In Praise and Worship

Beauty of Marriage

Marriage is ordained by God. Like it or not — this is His Word on the subject:
Ephesians 5:22-32 — New International Version (NIV)
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[b] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

Too many times we try to twist the meaning of God’s Word concerning marriage to match our personal preferences. It is perfect and beautiful just as God intended. It doesn’t need to change to cater to our comfort. It doesn’t need to be diluted by our immature faith. It doesn’t need amplification, addition or subtraction. It’s perfect. The change is our responsibility. As our faith in Him matures, our understanding of His Word grows. Our reception to the Truth moves our beliefs into action and total acceptance and surrender to our Lord’s Will is the consequence.

How Holy Is Your Sanctuary? (Part 1)

By Marshall Mabry

On May 23, 2011

In Praise and Worship

Holiness has many meanings. Sanctity, purity, Godliness, undefiled, separate from sin(ners). To be holy — one must be “set apart.” How can Christ’s church be set apart (Holy) when it insists upon using the world’s way to reach the lost? No Man or Church brings the lost to Christ!

“They will have their own ruler again, and he will come from their own people. I will invite him to approach me,” says the LORD, “for who would dare to come unless invited?” (Jeremiah 30:21 NLT)

The lost can only be drawn to Christ by His Holy Spirit. Jesus said “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:32 NIV) Jesus said, “All men!”

An important scripture to agree with in aspiring holiness is:
“So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship.” Romans 12:1 (New Century Translation)

Is your body a sanctuary for the Holy Spirit? Does Jesus’ word’s, “My Father’s house is a house of prayer, but you have made it a den a thieves (Matt 21:13)” bring conviction to your heart. Tattoos, body piercing and gluttony are not optional! “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:28 NIV) Is not the whole world “dead in its transgressions?” Does not the person desiring a tattoo and/or piercing want to bring outward attention to themselves, thereby partnering with the world, the dead? Where is humility in this deed? How do they believe they are set apart? “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4) These are questions for people claiming to be Christians, but their actions do not agree with scripture. They will use scripture and “grace” in their defense, but I fear these words from Christ, “Away from me… I knew you not!” Jesus is understood to be Savior by many who claim Christianity, but is He Lord of your life? Do not let your deeds or actions become stumbling blocks to your Christian witness. Jesus said, “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:20 NIV)

Remember always, Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. (Ezekiel 16:49 NLT)