Holiness

When I was younger, way back before "worship music", we used to sing a song called "Holiness Unto The Lord".  Here are the lyrics, "

1. "Called unto holiness," Church of our God,

Purchase of Jesus, redeemed by His blood;

Called from the world and its idols to flee,

Called from the bondage of sin to be free.

(Refrain) "Holiness unto the Lord" is our watch-word and song;

"Holiness unto the Lord" as we're marching along.

Sing it, shout it, loud and long:

"Holiness unto the Lord" now and forever.

2. "Called unto holiness," children of light,

Walking with Jesus in garments of white;

Raiment unsullied, nor tarnished with sin;

God's Holy Spirit abiding within.

3. "Called unto holiness," praise His dear name!

This blessed secret to faith now made plain:

Not our own righteousness, but Christ within,

Living and reigning, and saving from sin.

4. "Called unto holiness," bride of the Lamb,

Waiting the Bride-groom's returning again!

Lift up your heads, for the day draweth near

When in His beauty the King shall appear!

 

When I was younger this was one of my favorite songs.  I guess I grew up in Holiness churches.  When people got saved, they really repented.  It was more that just saying a prayer.  I believe that holiness is very important.  I Peter 1:16 states, "for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."   Holiness is being like God.  This should be every Christian's goal.  Galatians 4:19 says, "My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you."  It was such a big deal to Paul the Apostle, that he prayed and travailed in the Holy Spirit until he saw Christ in his fellow Christians.  This is something that needs to return to  the Body of Christ.  If it takes every day of our lives, we need to pray until something happens.

Day 4: Spirituality

Forgetting:  a poverty spirit

Remembering:  my God and Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills.  He uses gold to pave streets.   He creates universes.  His worlds are songs composed of light and music.  Despite all He has he chooses to love the people He created.  He promised that He would meet all my needs according to his riches in glory.

Read:  Psalms   David talks about the majesty of God.  While I don't understand it,  I do know that God cares about my every need.

Update 11/11/17:
While I believe that this idea of a purpose driven life is akin to heresy, I do believe that God has work for me to do.  My "work" is to do the will of the Father.  I am to do good works daily.  Those good works could be many things, such as:  a smile at a disheartened co-worker, crying with someone in pain, listening patiently instead of thinking of all I could be doing, being patient in a line at a store, cooking a meal for my family.  These are the will of the Father, and a whole lot more. 

Day 2: Influence

Forgetting:  I have no influence on anyone.

Remembering:  I am called to be salt and light in this world.  It is not about how it looks but about God.  If I obey God the results are His responsibility.

Light dispels darkness.  Darkness automatically leaves when light enters.  Isaiah 60:1 says to:  Arise SHINE for you light has come.

Salt is a preservative and brings out the flavor.  All Christians have a responsibility to the world around them.  I am no exception.
This is one of the things that should be basic Christianity.  Unfortunately, it seems that even seasoned Christians are not immune to deception.

Update 11/11/17:
I feel like I'm running in place.  Expending energy, but not getting anywhere.  However, I'm more convinced than ever that most American Christians are very deceived.   I had no idea until I stopped listening to the propaganda of the "Christian" community at large.  More on that to come.

The Beginning

I was reading Kris Valloten's book Spirit Wars this morning.  This one sentence jumped out at me:  "What I did not realize until that night was that I had been educated right out of my solution."  That hit me hard.  This thought came to me, "what if I could forget what I thought I knew about God and start fresh and learn again"  It sounds crazy.  That is the purpose of this blog, a reset, a new beginning.  Starting without preconceived ideas about God.  Doing what new Christians do.
My plan:  to write what I am forgetting and what I am learning.

Afterward:  Coincidentally?  Tonight I watched "God's Not Dead".  It is about a student who chooses to accept a challenge to try to prove that God is not dead.

Update:  2/16/15
This has been a much different journey than I had expected.  But just as a plant is pruned to help it grow and produce more, so have I been pruned.  This winter has been long and cold.  In many ways it has been hard but joyful.  It won't be long until I hear the words, "Lo, the winter is past....."

Update 11/11/17
How far this journey has taken me.  I believe that if I had not left the Standard American "Church", I would be a dead and cold Christian.  I am shocked to see where I am now.  But there is the "life" of God stirring in my heart and I believe that I am closer to being like Christ.  Is that not what we are meant to be?  Formed in the image of Christ.  I am planning to update my blogs first and there continue on, by relating how I have gotten from where I was to where God has brought me.  I have a glimpse of my future.  I believe that many Christians all over the world are escaping "church" in order to become the body of Christ, His church, also called the "remnant".