In Pursuit of Holiness

Today I’d like to talk about the one singular thing that all revivals have in common, and that is holiness. Without holiness there is no revival or renewal for our lives and for the church.

Holiness is to be a key component, not only in the House of God, as the Psalmist says, “Holiness adorns Your house, O Lord, forever,” (Psalm 93:5), but should be at the heart of God’s people. Paul said that God has not called us to uncleanness, but holiness. (1 Thessalonians 4:7)

The writer of Hebrews gives us this insight, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

Over this past generation the church has undergone many changes in its attempt to be relevant. As I have listened to what is being taught, read what is being written, and witnessed how Christians are living, what has become evident is that the church has gotten itself off track.

How can we be the salt and light Jesus calls for us to be? (Matthew 5:13) The story in the life of Isaac may help shed some light.

Isaac was very prosperous to the point that Abimelech, king of Philistine, asked him to move. So Isaac moved his family back into the land where his father, Abraham, dwelt.

Water is vital to life, especially in those days and to those who had flocks and herds. But instead of digging new wells, he reopened the wells dug by his grandfather, Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up. (Genesis 26)

Here is our answer. Isaac didn’t dig new wells, but reopened those the enemy had closed down; because it’s in these wells that water can be found.

Today’s church is so busy trying to dig new wells, trying to make itself relevant, they are leaving unopened wells of truth, wells of living water that the forefathers of our faith dug long ago, of which holiness is one of them, and one which Satan wants to remain close.