Who is Quirky PreacherRichD-Holiness

Holiness

I am absolutely convinced that we as Christ Followers are called to walk in holiness. Actually, more than that, we are commanded to walk in holiness. It is not an option if we make the decision to take on the name of Christ by calling ourselves Christians. I go as far as to say if that is not our goal we are walking in disobedience.

By His Grace

The only way anyone can come close to walking in holiness is by God’s grace alone. Without the power of the Holy Spirit living and reigning within us, trying to live a life of holiness is absolute vanity and will lead to nothing but frustration.

Praise God that He calls us to holiness and then equips us to be able to walk in holiness.

Legalism

When I speak of holiness I am not talking about the works of man by his own effort and the bondage of legalism. Legalism is focused on outward appearance, what others see, True holiness is a work that is first done in the heart and then manifests itself in outward appearance. As the mind is renewed, as the heart is transformed, the process of sanctification is taking place and the outward appearance is holiness.

Mercy

Praise God for mercy when we fall short from the will of God regarding his call to holiness. Mercy is not man reducing the call to holiness so that it is reachable. Mercy is the gift given by the Father to those who desire to walk in holiness and fall short.

The Love of Christ Fuels the Desire to Walk in Holiness

I am absolutely convinced the more we experience the love of Christ, the more we appreciate it, the more we will have a desire to die to self The end result will be us reflecting more and more the character of Christ-thus walking out holiness.

2 Corinthians 5:
¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us [drives us, impels us], because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵ and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Carnal Christianity

Is there even such a thing as worldly or carnal Christianity? If a person is truly born again they have the HOLY Spirit living within them. If a person who claims to be born again has no conviction when they are living a carnal or worldly life on an ongoing basis with no desire to change, I question if they are truly born again.

Disdain

I have a disdain for pastors and other Christian leaders that never address sin (other than pointing out the sins of sinners); never speak on any of the Bible passages regarding walking in holiness; give greasy grace, sloppy agape messages every week; refuse to implement church discipline when there is blatant, ongoing, unrepentant sin in the camp. Condoning or winking at blatant sin harms the person walking in unrepentant sin and harms the body of Christ. It harms the witness of the Church. (“Christians live no different than I do as a sinner.”)

Disdain the common statements of “we all fall short”, “we all sin”, “no one is perfect”, “we are not judge” to justify totally ungodly behavior that is never repented of.

Judgment

I am convinced that God does not wink at ongoing blatant sin by Christ Followers and brings judgment. The Sovereign Lord judged the nation of Israel for its chasing after false gods, and I believe He will judge the body of Christ for chasing after worldliness and materialism.

My Problem

I believe God has set the standard and I refuse to lower the standard in my life. Either His grace is sufficient to cover my sins, but also to empower me to not willfully sin on an ongoing basis, or His grace is insufficient. But sadly, I can be a hypocrite just like anyone else. In my own mind I will justify or rationalize the sin that so easily entangles me.

I can accept that ALL of us fall short, all of us miss the mark, salvation is by faith alone, not works. That our Heavenly Father gives abundant mercy. Praise God! But I acknowledge I get extremely frustrated when sin issues are not dealt with, when Christians act like the lost, when there are lost people that manifest more godliness than some Christians. It especially bothers me when Christians leaders will blatantly walk down a path of ongoing, unrepentant sin, get exposed, never truly repent, and Christians, including Christian leaders, will want to give them free passes. Some going as far as making the victims as the guilty party. That truly angers me.

I am frustrated that Christian Leaders overall refuse to confront sin in the camp. I refuse to be silent.

Solution

As long as the Church overall remains silent regarding the call to holiness I will shout from the mountain tops that God calls us to walk in holiness by His grace. He calls us to repent when we fall short, not to excuse, justify.

Be Aware

Be aware if you purposely lessen the message of holiness, justify blatant sin by Christian leaders, you will most likely here me speakup.

My next topic will be HOLINESS.

Bible Verses
2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Peter 1:15-16
but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Hebrews 12:14
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

2 Timothy 1:9
who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

Ephesians 5:3
But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; ⁴ and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

My next article is on Unholy Alliances.

Who is Quirky PreacherRichD Series
Introduction
Honesty & Integrity
The Word of God
The Truth
Holiness