Scripture
“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.”
~2 Corinthians 6:17, NASB
Quote
Holiness is not the way to Jesus. Jesus is the way to holiness.
~Ya’akov
A lot of people misunderstand holiness and separation. It does not mean that we take a bible and a candle and go live in a cave or a monastery. The idea goes back to Numbers 16 and the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Korah was a Levite but not a priest. Abiram and Dathan were from the tribe of Rueben. They conspired together against Moses. They were protesting the fact that they had to go through a priest to get to God. They had the worldly point of view that no confession of sin, no repentance, no sacrifice or priest was needed. They were insisting on being their own priest. Moses knew that this rebellion was leading to their destruction so he warned all the Israelites…“Quick! Get away from the tents of these wicked men, and don’t touch anything that belongs to them. If you do, you will be destroyed for their sins.” {Numbers 16:26} Those who separated themselves from these rebels were spared: those who didn’t were destroyed instantly by an earth quake; the ground cracked open and swallowed them alive.
When Paul wrote his letter to the Corinthians, everything had changed: the Aaronic priesthood was history. Christ death opened the way for you and I to approach God individually without the need of an earthly priest. Jesus is our high priest but we get to enjoy the privileges of the priesthood by praying and interceding for others. Paul’s point is this: as priest we must separate ourselves from something and to something. We separate ourselves from the world and to Christ. Do you want to intercede for others: then separate yourself from the attitude and rebellion of the world and get alone with Christ. This is why God had Moses lead the Israelites into the wilderness. The only way they could survive in the wilderness was to trust God. God separated them from Egypt {world} so He could teach them to worship, obey and love Him. Wearing a collar or a suit and tie does not make you holy. Living in a Convent or Monastery doesn’t make you holy. Spending time with Jesus makes you holy. The goal of religion is to make ones self holy but in true Christianity, it is Jesus and His amazing grace that makes us holy. Any attempt on mans part to make himself holy will lead to pride and self-righteousness.
EXTRA
Where else other than this part of the South can you have 72 degrees one day and snow the next? The amazing thing is that no weather forecaster predicted the snow. Oh yeah, that did at the last minute but no one was talking about snow last week. It’s the only profession where people get paid for being wrong. It has already melted on the ground but it’s still on the tree, shrubs and roofs. It is a beautiful sight and we need the nitrogen; especially the wheat fields. Normally, I go out and walk in it but last night I was content to view it from the front porch.
Well 2022 is hear and we got off to a rocky start: I preached the longest sermon I’ve ever delivered at GP. I was almost embarrassed when I looked at my phone. When people laugh with me or at me, it stirs my creative juices and I really get going. Peggy Murphy is my Mavis Fitzgerald at GP and I thank God for her. Mavis Fitzgerald and Joe Eaton helped me through some hard times. There was always laughter if one of those two was present. To ice the cake, Doug hit a grand slam just before I got up to preach. It is humbling to know that whatever you do, it will be anti-climatic.
Have a great week and remember Gregg in your prayers.