Untitled Sermon (3)

The Bible has one theme throughout its entirety and that is submitting our will to the will of God and the authority that he places in our lives. God has placed the man of God in our lives to lead, guide and instruct us in the ways of righteousness more perfectly. God has placed you in a flock and under a shepherd to guide your life and the greatest holiness standard that you can follow is submission to the authority in your life. I am confident that your leadership here will never ask you to do things that cannot be backed up by scripture or the importance to the overall good of your church.

So what is holiness?

Holiness means conformity to the character of God. It means to think as he thinks, love what he loves, hate what he hates, and act as Christ would. I Peter 1: 15-16 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

In this verse, the word conversation is not just referring to speech – what we say. But it’s talking about our conduct, behavior, how we live- our lifestyle. Holiness is a lifestyle. In every area of our lives, we are to be holy.

God plans everything in order. If you read Ecclesiastes 3 scripture tells us how God has ordered the seasons of life. He's given everything a time, place and way.

God has set in order: The seasons, the solar system, the weather system and the chain of authority God man and woman. If God took the time to show us through all of his works that things should be done in a specific order then why would holiness not have a proper order as well. Holiness has an order to it. Inward Holiness & Outward Holiness. Outward Holiness without inward holiness is holiness

Attitude

An attitude is “a mental position or feeling with regard to fact or state, the position of something in relation to something else” The attitude involves an understanding that holiness is a part of God and a part of himself that he wants to give us. Only when we have that understanding can we fulfill the second-half of the definition of attitude- relating it to something else. When our minds take on an attitude of holiness, then we can relate that attitude to our daily lives and actually produce a holy lifestyle.

Principles

A principle is “a fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption; a rule or code of conduct and a devotion to that conduct; a primary source; an active source.

A principle involves our knowledge and reason for following a code of conduct. It is the underlying law or doctrine that we understand and then obey according to our understanding. Once we understand the doctrine or law, then we can apply the second part of the definition of principle to our lives. When we have the knowledge, then it becomes the primary source that activates our lifestyle.

Standards

A standard is “something set up as a rule for measuring or as a model to be followed”. A standard involves a person's body acting upon the knowledge of the principle, which is fueled by his or her mind having the right attitude concerning the fact.

ATTITUDE

So we're going to talk about that first step tonight attitude. But before we start talking about attitude, let's understand that attitude is a condition of the heart. But attitude always shows up on the outside. Ever had to discipline your child? Ever had a disagreement with your spouse? Ever forgot an important date or event? You ever said about someone “they are so negative”? Have you ever seen someone talking and even though you couldn't hear what was being said you could tell what kind of attitude they had? Ever had your child stomp around or slam a door? Ever had your husband continually and deeply sigh to let you know they weren't pleased about something? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you understand that attitudes always make themselves known outwardly.

Proverbs 23:7 says “as a man thinketh in his heart so is he” That is strong language when you realize that your attitude controls your actions. Your attitude controls your emotions, and your attitude controls your obedience. Let's look at some examples:

Adam - a man who couldn't live in a perfect place with only one commandment

Moses- A murderer, and a man who didn't have the confidence to speak for himself

Abraham - a guy who didn't want to be patient for the promise of God to come to pass

Jacob - a deceiver and master manipulator

Rehab - a harlot

Eli - a preacher who couldn't control his own home

King David - an adulterer and conspirator to murder

king Solomon - a man who was influenced by the women he allowed into his life

Sampson - a young man who couldn't control his own desires

Peter - an impetuous outspoken quick to anger young man

James and John - sons of Zebedee - very position oriented men

Paul - a strong willed and extremely opinionated man

but don't confuse being flawed with having a bad attitude. Just because we have weaknesses and personal issues does not mean that we cannot have the right attitude. God's choice of people throughout the Bible shows us that he doesn't worry about flaws but he does check out our attitude.

And the perfect example of this is how Jesus dealt with the Pharisees. When they came to him they always had a spirit of rebellion, debate, to create confusion, to try and trip him up and to prove themselves right. They came with a judgmental, self-righteous attitude. Jesus dealt with them by not even entertaining their conversations. He called them out on their motives and their purpose. He consistently pointed out the problems with the words and actions and how the two did not match up. Jesus never reached to use them or called them to follow Him.

But what was different about Nicodemus a pharisee that we find in John chapter 3? The difference was in his attitude. We know this because his attitude showed up in his actions when he approached Jesus. He approached him humble, with an open and willing mind and a heart and the desire to really know truth. Because of that Jesus dealt with him differently than the other Pharisees. He began to explain the plan of salvation in depth. From this conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus, we get some of the most powerful scriptures for salvation. The right attitude makes all of the difference in the world.

THE WRONG ATTITUDE

So in the examples that I just shared with you these were men that were flawed but able to be used by God because of their right inward attitude. But now we have to see the difference of men in the Bible that were rejected by God because of the wrong attitude. You have to understand that these men had the same opportunities as those around them but their attitude determined their action and both were not pleasing to God.

Cain - a man who thought he knew better than God

Esau - a man who didn't treasure the things of God

Achan – a greedy man

king Saul - an impatient prideful man

King Rehoboan – a foolish man who followed bad counsel (yet his was the son of the wisest man alive, Solomon)

Judas - An arrogant deceitful man who tried to force the plan of God

rich young ruler - a church going, scripture believing man who had put other things first before God

when you look at the lives of these men, the difference between this list and the previous one comes down to this one thing-their attitude. One list of men was flawed but had a teachable attitude. The other list was also flawed but was unwilling to learn.

The life of Cain and Abel is the clearest example of this difference. They were brothers and were raised in the same home environment. They heard their parents tell the story of the garden and their sin of disobedience. They heard about how that because of this then they had to leave the garden and work to be able to provide for their family. They heard about how that before God allowed them to leave the garden, he gave an object lesson on what they had to do to create an atmosphere where his presence could come and communicate with them. Genesis 3:21 God shows them by killing an animal shedding its blood and making a coat of skin to cover the outward symbol of the inward sinful change that they were able to create a temporary bridge back into fellowship with him. They obviously understood this lesson and passed it down to their sons Cain and Abel. Because we find in genesis 4 verses 3 and four that they each set up an altar and brought an offering unto God the difference was able followed the instruction manual and offered the right sacrifice the cane followed the sin of his father and mother and thought he could do it his way. God even gave him a chance to change it all before he continued down this path. His attitude was seen outwardly because God asked him why his countenance- facial expression-had fallen. Because Cain did not have a teachable attitude, God could not use him and his life becomes cursed.

These two young men had almost everything in common - same home- same teaching-same environment-same knowledge-and the same work ethic. But those things are not what determined their usefulness to God-it was in one submitted teachable attitude versus the others rebellious unwilling to learn attitude. There is a saying, a bad attitude is like a flat tire until you fix it you are going nowhere.” So remember attitude determines obedience and your usefulness to God. Holiness without a holy attitude makes a person's holiness standards nothing in God's eyes.

GOD’S JUDGMENT OF OUR ATTITUDE

God will judge our attitude whether good or bad, useful or unusable. Jesus showed us throughout the Bible that he rewards good teachable attitudes. And the examples of the man found with a good attitude we see that God used them in spite of their flaws but because he knew they could be taught and learn.

Adam the first Sinner but also the first redeemed by the shedding of blood. Moses the murderer was also the deliverer of the nation of Israel Jacob the deceiver was also the father of Judah the lineage of Christ King David a man who committed a very grievous sin but God chose to anoint the son of that relationship as the Knicks king (Bathsheba was solomon's mother) and he was the only man called a man after God's own heart. Sampson a man who lost it all because he couldn't control his own desires was given another chance his hair grew back his strength returned and he was used by God to destroy more philistines. Peter the one who emphatically denied Christ was the one chosen only 50 days later to preach the first message of salvation on the day of Pentecost. Paul the man who held the coats at Stephen’s stoning became one of the greatest missionaries of the gospel and the writer of most of the New Testament.

A good teachable attitude will allow God to use your life.

We find in the parable of the talents the Matthew 25 God's judgment regarding attitude they each receive something from the master. But when he returned, only two had been useful to him he shows that he rewards the good and faithful servants but he condemns the lazy servant and calls him unprofitable or unusable. Remember that your attitude will determine your judgment, so we need to work to learn and obey.

Not only does he judge the usefulness of those with a good attitude, he also recognizes and rewards those with the wrong attitude. We've seen in our example of the wrong attitude that the punishment was usually a complete separation from God's plan and presence in their lives. Kane was driven out from his family and his home. Esau lived in bitterness and anger for many years and was never given the opportunity to get his birthright back. Achan destroyed not only his own life but caused the death of his entire family. King Saul had the Kingdom taken away from his lineage and wound up at the end consulting with witches to try and find the plan of God for his life. King rehoboam Advice of the wrong counselors and wound up losing all but a small portion of the Kingdom of Israel. Judas wound up committing suicide because he was unable to come to terms with the choices he had made. The rich young ruler was never heard from again in scriptures. It's sad to see the lives of these men fall so far but they had the same opportunity to learn and grow from their flaws and mistakes. The problem is that they cannot be taught and because of this attitude they were unable to be used by God.

The issue with us today is all in our attitude about holiness. If we never stop learning from his word, being kind to one another, and working to be obedient in our own lives, then he will consider our attitude acceptable. For some the greatest issue is whether to receive the word and be obedient to holiness. For others it is to judge those that do not adhere to all the teachings that they feel are important. The key is that we approach all scripture with an open heart and a willing mind and an obedient spirit. If we are working to develop ourselves with this concept then we can in turn help others when they have questions.

The apostle Paul wrote the following rebuke to the Christian Church and Romans 14:10-13.

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Two things we need to understand 1 you will give an account for yourself and your actions one day and two you need to work as hard at not judging or creating obstacles for your brother or sister as you do about working on your own issues.

We are our brothers keepers and we will give an account for our treatment of them one day God showed us this when he demanded of Cain to account for his brother Abel. Kane tried to pass it off that he was not responsible to keep up with what happened to Abel but God showed him differently in genesis chapter 4. God required cane to pay for the death of his brother Abel. No matter what you think, if you are responsible because of your attitude and/or actions and causing someone to quit following Christ, you will have to give an account for them one day. Just remember that you are responsible for yourself and for your actions toward others

we will be judged by Christ. John 12:48 says he that rejected me and receiveth not my words hath one that judges him, the word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in that last day.

This is the important thing to remember about our attitude the first person that I have to give an account for unto God is myself. I have to explain my attitude and I have to defend my actions when I stand before God. Revelations 20:11-15 tells us that we will all stand before God and have to show that we did obey the word of God not only in our word but in our actions as well. So the greatest concern in my life is not what others are doing but rather what am I doing?

The word of God must be our personal standard of judgment. We don't have time to go around and judge others when there is so much to learn from God's word. Instead we should strive to constantly align ourselves through obedience to the word of God

everyone will give an account of his or her own life. God will require an explanation for every word or deed that was an error. I don't want to have to stand before God and explain why I had a bad attitude toward a brother or a sister instead of her growing relationship with him or her. He will probably respond to many people's poured excuses with “what business was there life to yours?”

In fact Jesus asked Peter the same question in John 21. He and Peter had this conversation about love and feeding his sheep and then in verse 18 Jesus begins to share the end of peter's life with him. He was telling Peter how his death was going to glorify God. And Peter, not really liking how this conversation was going turns to Jesus and asked him about John the beloved. Basically Peter said to Jesus, what about John? How will he die? And Jesus gives us again the concept of being accountable for ourselves and not worrying about others by telling Peter, what is it to you if I let him live until I come back again? We must understand that our responsibility is to live our lives compared to the word of God and under submission to the godly authority in our lives we have to be careful that we don't allow this judgmental society that we live in to creep into our walk as Christians. We must make sure that we are taking care of our lives and let God and the pastor worry about everyone else.

We must avoid becoming a stumbling block in another person's life. If we look like the holiest Pentecostal and yet our attitude stinks offending our brothers and sisters in the Lord, then we are in direct disobedience to Romans 14:13. God will hold us accountable for our attitude. The blood of any soul lost as a result of our attitude will be upon our hands I don't want to stand before God with blood on my hands and try to explain it away.

Our proper place is to be behind our brothers and sisters encouraging them supporting them. And when we are in our proper place if that person ever decides to turn around and move in the opposite direction; now I become a stumbling block to them backsliding or turning from God we must make sure that if we are going to be a stumbling block to someone that we are what they have to get over to backslide and not to continue in their journey towards God.

CONSEQUENCES OF A WRONG ATTITUDE

In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus says 7 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

When we disobey the first half of Matthew 7:1, then we will reap the second-half of Matthew 7:1. When we judge others we can expect to be judged not only by people on this earth but also by God in heaven. If we constantly judge others then we can't get upset when we become the topic of discussion somewhere else. Don't load the gun and then get mad because you get shot with it.

Not constantly try to get our brother or sister to line up with the holiness standard when we are suffering from the bigger problem of a holiness attitude problem.

We have to understand that many people have a strict holiness standard outwardly but inside their attitude stinks. God wants us to know that he looks at every part of us and needs to make sure that we are complete in all holiness standards. Your outward holiness will be acceptable to him if your inward attitude is correct. Offer him your attitude first and then get the rest in order.

YOUR PERSPECTIVE AFFECTS YOUR ATTITUDE

The way a person feels about holiness will be related to how that person views holiness. Our attitude is always affected by our perspective. (Remember the glass half empty versus glass half full concept?) The most important thing a person should remember is that God is our loving heavenly father and only desires the best for his children. The Bible reveals how much more God loves his children than even an earthly father would love his children. Even more than an earthly father Jesus wants the best for his children and he wants them to be protected from harm.

Many people don't need to change their whole into standard they just need to change their own perspective regarding their obedience to holiness.

Often the problem is not the standard but how we view our obedience to the standard. Change your perspective regarding holiness and you will find that you have a liberty you've never felt before.

PRISON OR PROTECTION

Many people view holiness as a prison. A prison is a facility built to keep people locked or bound inside it is not a place that is viewed positively but rather it is viewed as a place to avoid. The walls are built to keep people in prison or locked up so that they cannot escape and be free. If the prison doors were opened there would not be one prisoner who would remain because it's not a place where people want to be.

If you view holiness as a prison, you will not see God as a loving father, but rather as a stern warden or taskmaster the person sees God as unjustly handing down sentences or standards that persons will spend all his time dreaming of escaping prison. He will dread every moment he lives. Then he'll invent ways in which he can be released.

But there are some barriers that are built for our protection. Barriers such as fences dams and walls are built to protect us against predators floods animals rain and other elements that might harm us. These things are put in our lives not to keep us in, but to keep danger out.

The writer of this study shared that when they bought their first home their backyard was bordered by a wooded area. Their four year old daughter would not go out into the backyard to play unless her mother and her father were there. She kept telling them that she was afraid of what was in the woods so they invested in a wooden fence and once they did that they could not keep her in the house. The instant that she felt protected she began to feel a freedom and liberty she hadn't felt before.

Holiness should be viewed as God's protection for us. God has not placed us in a prison, But he has placed a protection around us to guard us against things that would harm us if we allow the world in, it will destroy us; God has given us standards of holiness as a protective barrier to keep the world out.

We must learn that God has given us holiness not to imprison us, but to liberate us. When we see holiness as a protective boundary that God established to keep us from harm, we experience liberty and freedom.

John chapter 8 verse 32 says it best, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free’

PRINCIPLES

Principles are unchangeable laws that exist in the natural and the spiritual worlds. Gravity is a natural law or principle that determines the direction of moving objects within the Earth's atmosphere. For example, apples fall to the ground; parachuters jump from airplanes and immediately began to fall. The principle of gravity cannot be changed but we have found ways to overcome the principle with great effort. The plan of salvation is a basic principle or law that every person must obey to get into heaven. When a person is born again of the water and the spirit then that person has obeyed a spiritual principle. That person will receive the reward of heaven. The plan of salvation is a principle that is written in the word of God and cannot be changed.

Even before a person knows about the existence of a principle he or she is subject to the power of that principle. Think about gravity- even before Isaac Newton, sitting under the apple tree, realized the principle of gravity when the apple fell on his head -his body was subject to that principle. Isaac Newton had never floated off the ground and if he had ever jumped off anything, his body had obeyed the law of gravity.

Even if a person doesn't know about the plan of salvation he or she will still be subject to the principal at death. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that “it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment.” The verse doesn't point out any difference between those who obeyed the principle and those who did not. It says unto men- meaning all people. So even if a person does not fully understand the principle he or she will still be held accountable for the principle. Every person will still be under subjection to the principle’s rules and rewards.

Mankind’s Sinful Nature

To understand the importance of living by principle a person must understand some basic facts concerning mankind we are all born sinners (Psalms 51:5, Romans 3:23) Even with the power of the Holy Ghost it is difficult to overcome our sinful nature (Romans 7:15-25 TPT).

First Step in Obtaining Holiness

We must first obtain salvation before we ever may obtain holiness. Every person must be born again. John 3:3-5, Acts 2:38. A born again Christian will receive a new nature through the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:3, 4 With the Holy Ghost a person has the ability to overcome sin. Romans 6: 6-7, 11-14, 17-18, 22

Process of Holiness

Holiness means conformity to the character of God. It means to think as he thinks, love what he loves, hate what he hates, and act as Christ would. I Peter 1: 15-16 Holiness is a process. Hebrew 12: 14 Moses and the children of Israel at Mount Sinai were not all at the same level of holiness. God forbade the children of Israel to touch the mountain where the presence of God met with Moses. The Lord allowed Moses, Aaron, and the 70 elders to come a little further up the mountain. Then Aaron and the elders had to stay at that point and God took Moses to the top of the mountain with him.

As Christians we must have a certain tolerance for people who are in the process of holiness. We all are at different levels in our knowledge and understanding of God. We must trust that God and our pastor will determine those who stubbornly refuse to obey God's word.

Holiness is a continual process of sanctification or cleansing. If a person does not continue in the process, that person will forfeit his or her born again status. psalms 51: 1-10 holiness is a two-part process: separation from this world or worldliness and dedication to God 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Separation from Worldliness

The Bible offers examples of God's call for separation of his people from the world. In Genesis chapter 12 Abram and his family had to separate from Ur of the Chaldees. Genesis 13 -Abraham and Lot had to separate from each other and in Leviticus chapter 20 the children of Israel had to leave Egypt .

God has always required that his people be something separate and set apart from everyone and everything else. John 15: 19 says “but because you are not of the world but I've chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you” In Romans 12: 1 he tells us that to we are not to conform to this world but to actually be transformed (completely different) than the world around us.

True holiness will show its separation from the world. This does not mean that we look at what the world is doing and then do everything different just to be separate from them. What it means is that we live our lives according to the principles of the word of God and we don't allow the culture, the motives, and the trends of the world to guide our lives. We don't change our beliefs because the world seems to be moving in a different direction. We have to learn how to balance our lives by living in this world but not just blindly adapting our beliefs to this ever-changing culture This is why you must build your holiness on the principles of the word of God.

If you read the entire book of Judges, it is the story of a people struggling to maintain their separation from the worldly cultures around them. When the children of Israel lived their lives and guided their actions according to the commandments of God given to Moses, then they were blessed and they prospered. But then they would get their eyes off the scriptures and look at the societies around them, they would begin to act, think, look and live like them. Each time God removed his blessings from them and they began to decline. The children of Israel would wind up in bondage and they would cry out to God and begin to repent and cleanse themselves. Then God would send them a deliverer or someone to help them defeat their enemies. Unfortunately, the cycle would begin all over again.

We must learn the lesson of the book of Judges. God separated his people for his glory. If we are truly going to be his people and his witnesses, then we're going to be different from the world around us.

Dedication to God

Separation from the world is essential for obtaining holiness but it is not enough. God expects us to dedicate all of ourselves unto him. Romans 12: 1-2 tells us to present our bodies as a “living sacrifice” Remember that a living sacrifice can get off the altar and that is why holiness is a continual dedication to God every day.

Ephesians 4: 22-24 encourages us to put off the things of the old man and being renewed, take on the new man created in righteousness. God desires us to dedicate our lives continually unto him. it is not enough that we just separate from the world, that is only 1/2 of the equation. The problem with a lot of people in regarding holiness is that they work own only separation part of the equation. They strive to be as different from the world as possible but they do this more as an obligation unto God.

His desire is that we not only be willing and have understanding regarding our need to be separate from the world but that we also strive to dedicate our lives to him. Dedication to God is learning to love him with all your heart. It is studying to show yourself approved by learning and understanding the principle and the purpose behind holiness standards. Holiness was not designed to be lived only from a separation standpoint. God wants us to desire to do holiness because we have an understanding of the principle from the word of God and a love in our hearts to be more like him. This is what dedication unto God means.

The lesson of the children of Israel

To understand this concept of separation from the world and dedication to God, we have to look no further than the children of Israel. God had sent them a deliverer to lead them out (separation) from Egypt. Even though there was a temporary struggle for them to accomplish this -they did succeed. They came out of Egypt and even saw several victories along the way.

However, they found the dedication to God process so much more difficult. As they pursued separation, there came a point where God desired more than just that- he desired them to dedicate (trust, follow) He wanted them to complete the mission he started in their lives. They were never intended to just run away from the world. And so they found themselves standing on the door of Canaan. This was a place where they could rest and develop a permanent close relationship with God. But whereas coming out of Egypt was only slightly difficult they found the dedication part of this process insurmountable. In fact, the first time they found themselves here they didn't succeed in completing the dedication part of this process. It would take 40 more years of running and separating from the world before they were ready to attempt dedication again.

We have to understand how important BOTH parts of this process are to God. Because without the separation from the world and the dedication to God we have not completed true holiness.

Holiness means having no love in your heart for this world. God says that we are committing adultery against Him when we love the world more than Him (James 4:4)

Holiness involves two parts of us: Inward Holiness-Spirit & Soul and Outward Holiness-Body (I Corinthians 6:19-20, I Thessalonians 5:23, II Corinthians 7:1)

The Issue or the Principle

The reason that many Christians have trouble obeying the holiness standards long term is because they are focused on the issue and not the principle. They are consumed by how the issue is affecting them, versus being able to understand the need to obey the principle behind the issue.

Each time that God demanded a holiness separation from His people, there was a spiritual principle behind it. We have to be careful that we aren’t obeying the issue without grasping the principle. The principle is the foundation that will ground you when people question your actions, or when you have doubts, fears and frustrations.

The issue is the action or the outward standard that we obey. But the issue is not the principle. The scripture is clear on the subject of men and women's hair. Cutting or not cutting the hair is the issue but it is not the principle. The principle is submission to authority and what we do with our hair is just the evidence that we are in direct obedience or disobedience to the principle. We will learn more about this later in the series.

The issue is speaking with other tongues but that is not the principle. The principle is salvation and tongues is simply the outward evidence (standard) that we have obeyed the biblical principle.

Don't get so consumed with the issues that you miss the principle. The principle is the foundation that we build our lives upon. The issue is simply the outward evidence that we have understood and obeyed the principle from the word of God.

STANDARDS

Christians develop personal standards for living when they dedicate their lives to God. Standards separate Christians from the world. Standards fall under 2 categories: inward holiness and outward holiness.

Inward Holiness

Standards for inward holiness include the way a person thinks and speaks and personal beliefs about where he or she may not go or things in which he or she may not participate such as drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling, etc. It also involves small or inward acts of holiness such as guarding our tongues, keeping a right spirit, renewing our minds and keeping unity among the brethren. Often inward holiness is harder to maintain than outward holiness because these are things ingrained in our actions and character. This is where we must completely be transformed as Paul commanded us in Romans 12:2.

Inward holiness issues are much easier to hide because the evidence of these do not always make themselves apparent in outward signs. If someone has difficulty in keeping a right spirit, you may not know that the first few times you are around them but if you have prolonged exposure to these people you will begin to see the signs of their inward condition. It is like cancer. You may have the disease for a while before you ever see any outward signs of your condition. But just like cancer, if inward holiness issues are not dealt with, then in time you will begin to see the outward destruction of the body.

Outward Holiness

Outward, or physical, standards pertain to a dress code and should reflect an inward holiness standard of modesty.

Because holiness is a process and because Jesus tells us that it begins inwardly, more often than not outward standards can take a while to manifest themselves in new converts. Just remember that this is a process and you have to give time, teaching and the process of illumination for the new convert.

However, outward holiness is also a sign of the condition of someone who has been walking with God for a while. We can use the example of a shepherd - we see that the only way he knows that something is wrong with the sheep in his care is by their outward actions. If there is a sheep that is active, in the front of the fold, playing, eating well, whose coat looks healthy- then the shepherd knows that most likely that sheep is OK. However, if that same sheep all of a sudden is lethargic, not excited, struggling along behind the fold and with outward signs that they are sick -the shepherd becomes concerned that something is wrong inwardly. So God does use our outward holiness standards (giving, dress, hair, worship, ministry, attendance) to let the pastor know when someone is moving in the wrong direction. That's the pastor's job in your life- to be your spiritual thermometer and let you know when you're moving in the wrong direction. Outward holiness is often the first signs that God gives a pastor to know your spiritual condition.

The cause of lucifer's fall began inwardly but then manifested itself outwardly (Ezekiel 28) Cain’s outward countenance reflected his inward thought process. (genesis 4) Inward or outward holiness work together as the evidence of our understanding of the principle behind the issue.

LIVING IN HOLINESS

So now that we've seen that the order of holiness is vitally important to God, let's talk about how we should live. Luke 6: 36-45 Jesus tells us how we should live if we want to produce a holiness that will make us acceptable to him and to his plan for our lives. This is what he says, Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Be Merciful

If we are merciful, then God can also be merciful to us when we fail-not if we fail, but when we fail. We cannot be perfect. We will all be in need of mercy one day, so be sure to show mercy every day! In Matthew 5:7, Jesus tells us that merciful people are blessed because they can obtain mercy.

Don’t Judge Others!

In Luke 6, Jesus tells us not to judge so that we won’t be judged; not to condemn so that we won’t be condemned; and to forgive so that we can be forgiven. We cannot receive blessings and goodness and longsuffering and understanding unless we are willing to give blessings, goodness, longsuffering and understanding. It is the principle of sowing and reaping!

Plant the Right Seeds

Just as we can sow and reap bad things, we can also sew and reap good things. But remember that whatever we sow WE WILL REAP AGAIN. In Luke 6:38-45, Jesus explains that trees produce what is in the seed- if we want God and others to be long-suffering with us then we must return the favor. If we have seeds of judgment and condemnation in our hearts, then those things are definitely being produced by our mouth and our lives. Remember that every time we speak, we are sowing seeds in the lives of the people around us. Whatever spirit or attitude we produce - our children will also produce.

People who say that everyone is always talking about them or their children should to check their mouths and homes- they are probably reaping what they have sown. Jesus ended with these words: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” Look out mouth you're telling on me!!

INWARD HOLINESS – WHAT EXACTLY IS THAT?

Inward holiness is allowing your inward parts to obey the word of God and produce a change in your heart and mind. Inward holiness involves the spirit and soul. The soul is a person's mind, will and emotions. The soul is driven by the five senses: touch, sight, smell, hearing and seeing. The spirit is the part of a person that communicates with God. From the beginning, we were designed that our soul and spirit would guide our actions. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve's actions were driven by their soul and spirit. Before they ate of the tree, each day their spirit was touched by the spirit of God. Each day, the spirit of God would come down into the garden of Eden and His spirit would communicate and touch the spirit of Adam and Eve. Then in turn their spirit would control their soul or their mind, will and emotion. The soul then in turn controlled the body. This is why after they had eaten of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, their spirits actually died to the control of His spirit. The whole story of the Bible is about God's search for a way to heal that breach so that His spirit could lead and guide our actions.

A good example is- if your hand touches a hot burner on the stove- first your spirit tells your mind, will and emotions that you're touching something hot. Then your emotions kick in because you actually feel the pain. This controls your action, which usually results in your quickly pulling your hand from the burner. All of this can happen in mere seconds but the process always remains the same.

This is why man has never been able to govern himself without laws and punishment. Our spirits are tainted and because of this it taints everything else in the downward line -our souls and our actions. You can see this in the progression of dispensations- when man tried to govern himself, following the cleansing of the earth after Noah, it wasn't too long before they were right back where they had started. We cannot govern ourselves without our spirit being touched by His spirit and then allowing that Spirit to control our soul, our mind, will and emotions.

God’s Desire

In Psalm’s 51:6, David tells us God’s desire for our lives. He says to the Lord, “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts…” why? God wants us to be inwardly holy because He is holy. In I Peter 1:16 God instructs us, “Be ye holy, for I am holy. A holy God cannot coexist with unrighteousness. With His Spirit guiding us we can become holy and live in holiness, being a “living sacrifice” that is “acceptable” unto the Lord.

Inward Holiness before Outward Holiness

Holiness has an order to it, and it is three fold. Outward holiness without inward holiness is holiness that is in vain. Inward holiness must come before outward holiness.

Jesus told the Pharisees that they must clean up their spirits for their outward holiness to count towards righteousness. Jesus says in Matthew 23:26, Thou blind pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Like the religious Pharisees, Christians often get the sequence of holiness backwards. This scripture shows that both inward and outward holiness are important to God. However, getting them in the right order is just as important. 1 Corinthians 6:20 the apostle Paul commands Christians to “glorify God in your body and in your spirit.

We must make sure that our inward actions are giving God true glory.

Many times we glory in our outward holiness standards while inwardly we are ungodly. We must be careful or we can fall into the same trap Lucifer did as described in Ezekiel 28:12-18. In verse 15 Ezekiel writes, “thou was perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee”

Lucifer was created to reflect the glory and holiness of God but when he became consumed by his outward appearance of beauty and neglected his inward spirit, he fell. His sin began in the inward part of him and then contaminated the outward. Verse 17 says “thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness” and 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Paul writes “and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” We have to be careful that we are not trying to uphold an outward holiness standard without striving for true inward change first.The Bible has one theme throughout its entirety and that is submitting our will to the will of God and the authority that he places in our lives. God has placed the man of God in our lives to lead, guide and instruct us in the ways of righteousness more perfectly. God has placed you in a flock and under a shepherd to guide your life and the greatest holiness standard that you can follow is submission to the authority in your life. I am confident that your leadership here will never ask you to do things that cannot be backed up by scripture or the importance to the overall good of your church.