Holiness
by
Commissioner Brian Morgan
(Notes from lesson delivered to Officers)
It is not my intention today to discuss or
debate with you the doctrine of holiness or to trace it’s
development within The Salvation Army from the Wesleyan
perspective through to the Pentecostal-type emphasis.
You will be aware of many of the explanations of the doctrine
of holiness that has exercised the heart and mind of believers
for centuries and that cover a broad range of convictions.
For example –
• No one is Christian without the activity of the Holy Spirit
in the life. (St. John 16:7-10. Romans 8:16. Galatians 4:6)
• The Holy Spirit brings life and power to the believer that
makes holiness possible and actual. (Galatians 5:22-26)
• Holiness is both a crisis and a process. Initial surrender
to the Lordship of Christ. Ongoing openness to the work of the
Spirit. (Colossians 2:6-7)
• Full salvation. Fully given to God. Fully receptive to His
Spirit. (2nd.Corinthians 3:18)
• The second blessing. 1st.Thessalonians 5:23-24)
Theological reflection and personal experience, an ongoing
awareness of God in the life leads us to the conviction of our
need to be holy and to be constantly open to the all-pervasive
work of the Holy Spirit.
As a young Salvationist, sometimes confused by the terminology
applied to the blessing of holiness, God broke through my
confusion and spoke to me clearly from Jeremiah 29:13 “You
will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your
heart”.
“When you come looking for Me, you’ll find Me. Yes, when you
get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything
else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed” (The Message).
I had sought the Lord. I knew forgiveness of sin but had to
“get serious about finding Him and want Him above anything
else” I want you to know that, true to His Word, God has never
disappointed me!
For me the real test of the holy life is the witness of
consistent Christlike action and reaction. It is the fruit of
the Spirit seen in everyday action that witnesses to the
reality of faith in community.
“Love , joy , peace , longsuffering , gentleness , goodness ,
faith , meekness , temperance” . (Galatians 5: 22-23)
Capture and write down a sentence, phrase or statement that
speaks to you of holiness.
SHARE.
When I entered the Training College as a Cadet then we were
required to have all the items mentioned on the “official
outfit list”. Not only books, study material, uniforms but all
manner of other clothing items and toiletries etc. necessary
to see one through the period of training.
As I reflected on that and my life of ministry since then I
wish that the “outfit list” of holiness summarised in
Colossians 3: 12-17 had been emphasised.
Let us look at this life of holiness list together. We will
read from NIV and The Message
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the
wardrobe (the life of holiness), God has designed for you.
1 .Compassion. The quality of holy living that goes
beyond cold sympathy to the action of love. Our Lord Christ
sets the example here. (St. Mark 1: 29 – 34)
The compassion of Jesus was not only for the sick of body but
also for the spiritually unresponsive. (St. Luke 13: 34. St.
Matthew 9: 36 – 38)
Sometimes the constancy, the demands of ministry and service
can ‘dry up’ Holy Spirit compassion and in this we need the
ministry of the Spirit personally.
A few years ago we sang a chorus that seems to sum up this
thought –
True happiness is love expressed in service;
True holiness compassion deep and strong.
In giving up my best I find contentment
And so forget how hard the way and long.
2. Kindness or the disposition to share God’s goodness with
others. Kindness is grace in action. Kindness gives hands
and feet to grace .It does not begrudge acts of mercy but
lives out the challenge of Micah 6: 6-8.
If kindness is ever administered out of duty alone then it
fails to honour God or reflect holiness in action.
3. Humility. Here is an attitude of heart to be
cultivated by God the Holy Spirit. A quality only possible
when the Lordship of Christ is central in the life. Humility
enables self to be put aside for the glory of God in daily
life. (Philippians 2: 3 – 5)
Humility will not seek the recognition of place, power or
position but will rather see in them then challenge of
servanthood.
4. Gentleness. Someone has described gentleness as
“strength under control” or “quiet strength” as The Message
translates.
Gentleness is not to be equated with weakness for it sometimes
requires me to be tough as well as tender.
Under the control and indwelling of the Holy Spirit then
gentleness will temper one’s personality that could be abrupt
and hurtful and reflect the spirit of Jesus in relationships.
Humility and gentleness are powerful forces in the witness of
the gospel and speak strongly of the transforming work of the
Spirit.
5. Patience. The quality of heart and life that speaks
of discipline in personal living and behaviour. Patience helps
us to discover the best in others and to be part of their
spiritual walk.
Patience in the life of the Christian leader witnesses to the
release of grace touching the lives of those to whom we
minister and we are called to serve.
6. Tolerance. “Bear with each other”. Don’t be quick to
judge those who are different in approach to life and
spiritual issues than you might be. It could well be that the
Holy Spirit wants to teach you something through them!
The household of faith contains a great diversity of
personality, approach, maturity, gifting and talents but we
are to be tolerant of each other, to “bear with each other in
love”
Not dismissively!
Not patronisingly!
Not with ‘clenched teeth’
Not as a burden – but in love.
7. A forgiving spirit. Forgiveness is one of the
cardinal rules of Christian action and the bench mark is high
– “AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU”. The message challenges “Forgive
as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you”.
What a breathtaking quality of the Holy Spirit!
How God must weep over His people, His Church, when so much
time, energy and effort is put into harbouring an unforgiving
spirit.
How challenging is the Lord’s Prayer when we consider this
Holy Spirit quality of forgiveness. “Forgive us our debts
(trespasses) as we also have forgiven our debtors (those who
trespass against us) (St. Matthew 6: 12).
In the life of the Spirit forgiveness does not wait to
apportion blame or necessarily to expect apology but rather to
reveal the attitude of Jesus in the unconditional action of
forgiveness.
This may involve the Church, the organization, a leader or
leadership plural, an individual or group but forgiveness does
not discriminate!
8. Above all put on love. ‘Regardless of what else you
put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never
be without it”. (The Message)
Love is the combining force of Christian fellowship and
service. It bears witness to the sincerity of Christian living
and takes very seriously the command of Jesus recorded in St.
John 13: 34. “A new command I give you. Love one another. As I
have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men
will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another”.
Love is not a fashion statement. It is the Christians everyday
wear. It’s our all-purpose garment. Preaching, serving,
teaching, helping – whatever!
The fruit of the Spirit is love!
9. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. “Keep
you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of
this going off and doing your own thing” (The Message)
Christ’s peace is a strong, stabilising force in the life of
the believer. His peace is to rule, control, encourage oneness
in the Spirit.
Disharmony, factions, ill-feeling have no part in the life of
the Spirit. Christians have a unity keeping responsibility in
their own relationship with the Lord. In their relationships
with others and in the life of God’s Church.
The power game is to be avoided at all costs in the living of
the holy life for it is contrary to the Spirit of Jesus and
the teaching of God’s word.
10. Be thankful. So often the tendency is to be
ungrateful or to suffer from ‘memory loss’ in our attitude to
God and others but the Holy Spirit helps us to cultivate a
thankful spirit and to make praise a way of life rather than
just a passing emotion .
11. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. “Let
the Word of Christ – the Message – have the run of the house.
Give it plenty of room in your lives” (The Message)
The outcome – effective teaching
constructive encouragement
wise counsel
grateful worship.
12. Whatever for Jesus! “Every detail of your lives –
words – actions – whatever – be done in the Name of the
Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way”.
(The Message)
How we need to get before the Lord and repent of our gripings
and unworthy approaches to life and ministry when such did not
seem to be to our liking or disposition!
When we do ‘whatever’ for Jesus then life becomes a sacrifice
of praise and a worthy offering empowered by the Holy Spirit.
That’s the outfit list I want to possess and exhibit to the
praise and glory of God!
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