HOLINESS (Positional holiness is not a substitute for practical holiness)

[LightShinesInTheDarkness]

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!" (Matthew 18:6,7)

This Scripture brought to my mind women who wear provocative and immodest clothing to church, and otherwise make themselves look "seductive" (I won't use the vulgar common term for it), for the purpose of drawing attention to themselves. Remember that a married man who looks at a woman with lustful intent is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart, according to Jesus; so how do you think He feels about women who dress to entice them to lust? It is not at all "cute", but evil and careless, pure and simple, and the Lord does not take it lightly. 

 

[Heleadethme]

1 hour ago, Yowm said:

God uses means and yes, warnings, instructions etc., are some of those means. You wouldn't have had to ask me this if you took notice of the first word of my reply 'sure', a word of approval of all that was said before.

Okay brother.......I didn't understand your point and that's why I asked.  I guess we are agreed that righteousness/holiness does need to be preached then.

Think it's also worth keeping in mind that it is very limited with internet fellowship......there are other ministrations that are very much needed.  Sometimes I wonder if it can almost be a tease, raising a standard that not everyone is able to reach without first being healed or delivered etc.  The Lord needs to work many things together to bring His people along....which I agree that chastisements are one as well.

[frienduff thaylorde]

4 hours ago, LightShinesInTheDarkness said:

You, Christian, ARE Christianity. You, and me and everyone in whom the Spirit of Jesus lives. Now look at the state of it, and ask yourself whether you're a part of the problem, or a part of the solution, or simply indifferent to the problem.

How does the Lord feel about the state of Christianity right now, and how do you feel about it? If He is grieved and indignant, should you be happy or indifferent?

If you really love your brothers and sisters in Christ, and not yourself, hide not your face from disgrace and spitting and tell them what their pastors and other Christians aren't telling them, for their potential good, instead of keeping silent in order to have their approval and protect yourself from discomfort or rejection: 

Point them back to the teachings of the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints---ALL of the teachings--- and don't just smile and nod as they defy them.

Jesus certainly isn't smiling and nodding about it. Is there anything commendable about 2 Timothy 3:1-5? Do you see abundant holiness when you look at Christianity? Do you see New Testament Christianity around you? Does it look like what you read when you study the instructions and examples of the word, or are they like two strangers with the same name? 

(And before you tell yourself that things aren't really that bad, and that it's not such a big deal, remember the Lord's message to the church in Ephesus. Is your standard of what is acceptable God's standard? It benefits you to find out and to make sure that His standard is yours. Read that NT again.)

Be holy yourself, and exhort and warn your brothers and sisters to do likewise, for their good, just as the Bible itself does and tells us to do, and pray for them.

 

OH my soul was stirred .    What wonderful reminders .    

[LightShinesInTheDarkness]

I appeal to you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (or 'reasonable service'). Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1,2)

 

Know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19,20)

 

[frienduff thaylorde]

And on that note .   PRAISE THE LORD PEOPLES ,   PRAISE THE LORD .