Photograph by Derek Jensen. This image is in the public domain.
No Half measures
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously (Colossians 1:9-11 – NASB)
The most amazing words are used in this passage; words that boggle the mind, and run contrary to the general climate prevailing in most modern churches. The general feeling is that we can be holy, but not too holy; we can please God, but not too much. To admit otherwise would be like saying we can be perfect in this life. And everybody knows none of us is perfect.
On such half-truths we conduct our Christian lives, and wonder why we have so little power.
There are three reasons why many Christians feel it is not possible to live more than a mediocre level of Christian holiness. The first is their misunderstanding of the meaning of the word “holiness.” They think it means absolute perfection, and glibly repeat the mantra, “Nobody’s perfect.”
The second reason is that they assume holiness is achievable by self-effort; we are to be partaker of His (God’s) holiness. The third reason has to do with not taking Scripture promises seriously, as in the Scripture for today:
First, we can be fully INFORMED
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…
We can be filled with the knowledge of His will.
Second, we can be fully APPROVED
…so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…
We can please God in all respects
Thirdly, we can be fully EMPOWERED
…strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
We can be strengthened with all power for the attaining of all steadfastness.
Don’t settle for a pale imitation of what God has promised your Christian experience can be.
A Pale Imitation
(© Saturday 3rd January 2015 – by Christopher Shennan)
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness. (Hebrews 12:9-10 – AKJV)
A pale imitation of truth
Is mostly what Christians believe;
At least in these times of great ease –
The enemy strives to deceive.
Nobody believes anymore,
That the God of Mercy and Grace,
Is willing and able to grant
All riches, when we seek His face.
It’s a pale imitation when
We can’t quite believe God can
Do a full work within our hearts;
Make us clean in the inner man.
Sure, there’ll be struggles and battles;
Chastising is how He will bless,
But His goal is to make us partake
Of His Love and His holiness.
So don’t stagger in unbelief;
Don’t settle for less than the best.
Lay hold of God’s mighty promise:
I declare, you’ll surely be blessed.
Please check out my books at My website: http://www.christophershennan.ca
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Gems of Discovery - Nuggets of Truth 