Sunday, August 26, 2012

August 27, 2012

"Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob." Psalm 24:3-6

Holiness begins when we become new creations! It is good to acknowledge God as Creator but it is not enough. You must become a new creation through personal faith in Jesus Christ! That involves having a changed heart and a transformed mind. God recreates you from the inside out. Once you wrap your head around His wonder you must wrap your heart around His will. Holiness is when His will becomes your will.
II Corinthians 5:17 – "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! "
 
Paul talks about that in these Scriptures:

“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.” I Thessalonians 4:1-8

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” I Thessalonians 5:23-24

The Psalmist expresses holiness in this way:

“clean hands” – Forgiveness from sins through trusting the provision of Christ on the cross.

“pure heart” – Cleansing of the sinful nature through the blood of Christ.

“no idols” – Your will fully surrendered to God as the first love of your life.

“loves truth” – Obedient to God's will as expressed in His Word.

“seeks God” – Hungry for relationship with God and eager to serve Him.

Only holy people get to know a Holy God. To be holy means being wrapped up in God. Wrap your mind around His wonder and wrap your heart around His will.

What are you wrapped up in?