Wednesday, March 9, 2011

What's Holiness in 2011?

The Scripture 1 Peter 1:13-16 reads:
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; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy , for I am holy." NKJV

I was born in 1949, and the above scripture seems to mean something different to me than it does today in 2011.  Recently a friend sent me an article where a young Christian woman stated that she was single, saved, but still had to "get her freak on."  She said she had tried celibacy, but it just didn't work. 

Earlier another friend had sent me an article where a young woman was advising church sisters to go to the clubs and meet men.  She said she had left the church because the preachers were just trying to keep women from meeting/marrying men, so that they could serve the church.

Many Christians commented in agreement with these articles.

I admit that I was surprised.  So, can somebody please help me understand how Christians of today look at the above scripture where it says, "Be holy, for I am holy"?  What does "holiness" mean to Christian men and women today? 

I sincerely need to know this so that I can better minister to God's people.

5 comments:

+Paul said...

Bishop Lattimore there is nothing new under the sun. This is nothing new to the church of Jesus Christ, it’s only been hidden by religious persons holding not to the faith but to the morals and rules of the faith. This issue is truly about relationship. To be in Christ for so long and make a statement like “I’m single, saved, but still need to "get my freak on”, shows shallowness in the gospel. Out of ignorance many early Christians mutilated themselves because they didn’t want their sexual desires to interfere with their relationship with God. The influence of the world has saturated the church with all types of doctrines and practices, instead of doing what Paul told Timothy which was to continue in the Apostles Doctrine. Not a set of rules set by the board of Bishops, but the true teachings of the faith handed down by Christ himself. If you are looking to better minister to the needs of people going through this situation as well as a host of many other issue, I say to you “Continue in the Apostles Doctrine”. Let it speak, we have left the faith for methods and magic, but the true faith doesn’t need any hype it has power all it own. The scripture tells us that the word of God will not return unto Him void. Give Gods words, say what he says, Do what He did and your ministry will make a difference in the life of the people you encounter. Only a spiritual man can understand things of the spirit. No relationship with God then they will not understand the mysteries which have been revealed to them. Be Blessed and Encouraged…… Lord be with You….

+Paul

God's Word is True said...

Pastor Lattimore,

Continue to minister the Unadulterated Gospel. We know that The Way is narrow and there be few that walk therein. We know that Holiness without no man shall see the Lord. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. We have to expect a great falling away because these are the last days. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. His Word is true and change not. Finally, I would hope that single women even men will start yielding themselves to the things of The Spirit of God and not there carnal flesh. (Romans 6th Chapter) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:16-17) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
(Romans 6:1-2)
These are the times we are now living in. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.  5I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.  6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.  7Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 4-7

Ms. Lattimore said...

I don't think the definition of holiness has changed. People still respect holiness. However, in this day and age, I think holiness can be compared to marriage: this sacred idea that people generally admire but do not believe they will ever successfully achieve (which explains the high divorce rate).

With technological advances, temptations are a bit more accessible than they were in 1949. Its just easier to live an unholy lifestyle--and unfortunately more popular.

The key thing I always remember is that holiness means more than just keeping my legs closed, it means "ALL conduct" So, even if I have the celibacy thing down cold, am I still lying or gossiping?

No one has it all right but Jesus... So, please Apostle be patient with us and love us regardless (like i know you do!). God certainly does... and we certainly need it :)...

Unknown said...

Apostle Carmen, I am glad you posted this question about holiness. We Christian need to think about this subject; I feel that most churches do not talk about being and living holy. The word of God says, “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am Holy””, now that's plain and simple. We state that we want to do the will of God, but we don't want to be holy. I am a born again Christian and I have been celibate for 19yrs. and I love men. But I refused to focus on whether God is going to send me a husband or not. My focus is on doing the will of God and living as holy as I possible can. Living holy is a choice for everyone, just like everything else. God will not go against your will, but not living holy will keep you out of heaven. When I listen to single women talk, they all want a husband, but they are not complete with themselves and they feel having a man will complete them. I tell them that relationships are not like math; half of a woman + half of a man, does not = a whole. If single Christian women could stop being lead by what's between their legs and start being lead by the Holy Spirit they would not be so caught up about having sex, because that's really the bottom-line of way they want a husband. Apostle Paul says, to be content in whatever circumstances we are in. Philippians 4:11. So single Christian women start enjoying your singleness, love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, Mark 12:30. If God sends you a husband it should be well with you and if He doesn’t send you a husband it should be well with you.

Unknown said...

My post about celibacy and keeping your legs close has to do with the single Christian who wants to get her freak on and for the other one that is looking for a man (husband) in the club. I know that being celibate is not all it is about being holy. HOLINESS is the state or quality of being holy, when a person lives in a manner consistent with the divine will of God, that person is in a state of being holy: that person is living a life of holiness. God requires His people to live a life of holiness. Hebrews 12:14 says, Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God’s judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word. He who entirely agrees with God; a holy person will strive to be like Jesus Christ. A Christian who want to be holy will not only live the life of faith in Jesus Christ and draw from Him all his daily peace and strength, but he will also labor to have the mind that was in Him and to be conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29). It will be the Christian’s aim to bear with and forgive others, even as Christ forgave us; to be unselfish, even as Christ pleased not Himself; to walk in love, even as Christ loved us; to be lowly–minded and humble, even as Christ made Himself of no reputation and humbled Himself.
So let me state this: A Christian may go great lengths and yet never reach true holiness. It is not knowledge—Balaam had that; nor great profession—Judas Iscariot had that; nor doing many things—Herod had that; nor zeal for certain matters in religion—Jehu had that; nor morality and outward respectability of conduct—the young ruler had that; nor taking pleasure in hearing preachers—the Jews in Ezekiel’s time had that; nor keeping company with godly people—Joab and Gehazi and Demas had that. Yet none of these were holy! These things alone are not holiness. A Christian may have any one of them and yet never see the Lord.