Therefore gird up the
loins of your mind, be sober,
and rest your hope
fully upon the grace
that is to be brought
to you at the
revelation of Jesus
Christ:
as obedient children,
not conforming
yourselves to the
former lusts, as in your
ignorance; but as he
who called you is holy,
you also be holy in
all your conduct, because
it is written, “Be
holy, for I am holy.”
1Peter 1:13-16 (cf.
Leviticus 11:44-45).
I have attempted in these blogs to stir up within a
person the desire to examine themselves in order to make any necessary changes,
those changes that can only come from the inside, and to be demonstrated on the
outside, to conform to the image of Jesus Christ, to become Authentic Biblical
Christians. At the root of being an Authentic Biblical Christian and our union
with Jesus Christ is holiness. This doctrine of holiness, that which is the
very foundation of Authentic Biblical Faith far too often does not receive the
attention that it deserves. The standard for holiness for many years has been
lowered and even with those who attend to promote holiness do so with a
zealousness that does more harm than good, therefore it is not just cultural
Christians that have deprecated this knowledge and practicality of holiness,
there is a lack of knowledge according to the Scriptures, a promoting of a
theology that does not conform to God’s word leaving behind a trail of
disillusionment and false teaching.
All a person has to do is to turn
on the TV on Sunday morning, and at other times as well, to see that it takes
little effort to bring together great crowds of people bringing them together
calling them to “higher life,” and “consecrated meetings.” There is a huge
phenomenon that the curious attend, that being “religious affections.” People
are seeking sensationalism, exciting addresses, even by strange preachers or
women, loud singing, hot rooms, crowded buildings with those attending showing
sight of strong semi-religious feelings. All this seems good, but is it real?
Is it deeply rooted, solid, and lasting? Watching the shows where performers
perform with loud shrills, reaching high almost shrill notes and holding those
notes for long periods brings the crowd to their feet with clapping and
shouting, but when a good singer does not perform in such manner the response
of the crowd is not the same, it is more silent. People want sensation, maybe
due to a life that is mundane, boring, etc. Movies are more violent, more
things are blown up, and the digital films are feeding the sensations and
emotions of the movie goers: I have painted this with a broad stroke for there
are those exceptions that are good, but this is not generally the case and
anyone can check this out for themselves.
The question(s) that must be asked
are: Do those who attend such sensational, and emotional, with well-spoken
speakers, pastors, etc., become more holy, meek, unselfish, kind,
good-tempered, self-denying, and Christ-like at home? Do they become more
content with life, with their positions in life, or are they craving more
sensationalism, looking for something different, more appealing? Are they
better fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, children, and do they treat others
with the love of God? Can these people enjoy a quiet day on Sunday, a day
without all that noise, and excitement, and just live by means of God’s grace?
Lastly, do they grow in grace, charity, charity towards those who do not
necessarily agree with them in every jot and tittle of their religion? It may
seem that at times that I am harsh, but do not be dismayed for only those
things that are clearly spoken to God’s children in the Bible that I stand
adamant with, but there are things of indifference that I may disagree with but
will stand adamantly against such things. Therefore, it is what the Scripture
says, and nothing else, for it is by God’s word that we learn to live and grow
in sanctification as we apply His commandments to our lives.
These are serious questions and
need to have an answer, to be considered so that there is a promotion of real
practical holiness bringing people to conform to Authentic Biblical Faith. Yet,
I am afraid that these “mass-meetings” and the false teachings do not promote
Authentic Biblical Faith, for they do not promote private home religion,
private Bible reading (Do you read your Bible daily?), private prayer (Has
prayer been delegated to dinner time?), and a private walking daily with God.
The data retrieved by those who are examining the Church paint a dower picture
of the Church, with high divorce rates, and young people leaving the Church or
are seeking those sensational and emotional services. Some would disagree with
me and say; “This is occurring: people are more pious, more religious, and
lives are being changed, but I cannot find proofs that this is happening in any
large scale in the Church. You see it is easier to be a Christian with
sensationalism, and emotionalism, accompanied with loud and simple songs that
tickle the ears, even sympathizing with the affirmed, and needy, than to be
consistent Christians in a quiet setting, in some out of the way, in some
inconspicuous place, even in conspicuous places where one shows that they are
Christian, every one can see, it is all to show their piousness. These cultural Christians know much about
consecration, but are ignorant of the very first principle found in God’s word,
that is conversion.
The call that is going out is for
men and women to return to the foundation of the Christian faith, and that
foundation is holiness: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies
of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to
God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).
And he showed me a pure river of water of life,
clear as
crystal, proceeding from the
throne of God and of the Lamb…. And there
shall be no
more curse, but the throne
of God and of the Lame shall be in it, and His
servants
shall serve Him. They shall see
His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
There shall
be no light of the sun, for the
Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign
forever and
ever.
Revelation
22:1,3-5
Sanctification is by holy living
Richard L. Crumb
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