"Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee." -Deuteronomy 32:18-
THE CHARACTER OF GOD
Part II: --THE HOLINESS OF GOD" AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU
In their book entitled A Handbook of Christian Truth, Harold Lindsell and Charles Wood-bridge point out that because God is Holy, there is a chasm between God and men --(Isaiah 59:1,2). SIN IS THE GREAT DIVIDER. It separates men from each other dividing families, the
best of friends, and even churches. But worse yet, Sin separates men from God! And if men are to come to God at all, they must come through the worthiness of another. There must be a Mediator between God and man; and there is -- it is the "Man Christ Jesus"--(I Timothy 2:5).
Therefore, to approach God with Godly fear is the very beginning of wisdom and understanding.
My friend, have you come to Him for the forgiveness of your sins? No? Then do you have a desire to come? If so, you can receive the forgiveness of God.
The Christian’s holiness is imperfect. As Thomas Watson puts it, the Christian’s humility is stained with pride. His faith cries out, "Lord, help my unbelief." His fervency may grow cold and hear the indictment; "Thou hast left thy first love." His dedication may ebb and flow, but God’s holiness is perfect. HE CANNOT HAVE MORE HOLINESS, BECAUSE HE IS PERFECTLY HOLY. HE CANNOT HAVE LESS HOLINESS BECAUSE HE IS UNCHANGEABLY HOLY. Even the city where God dwells is called, "The habitation of His Holiness," "the Holy City"; "and there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life."-- (Isaiah 63:15, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:27)
"But," you ask, "What can I do for I am not holy?"
You can come to Christ. "The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin."--(I John l: 7b)
You can pray as David did for a holy heart: "Create in me a clean heart, o God, and renew a right spirit within me."--(Psalm 5l:lO)
You can walk with them who want to be Holy. You can select your friends from them who are the friends of God.
Turn to Him, right now, and though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow."--(Isaiah 1:18)
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DECEMBER
10, 1520--Martin Luther burns the Pope’s Bull of Excommunication.
10, 1755--Tuesday, two years and 7 months after hearing a sermon by George Whitefield on Matthew 5:7--"0 generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Robert Robinson, now 20 years old, finds "full and free forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus Christ." Three years from now, in 1758, while pastoring the Calvinist Methodist Chapel in Norfolk, England, he will pen the hymn, "Come Thou Fount of every blessing" for the celebration of Pentecost (Whitsunday). It is his spiritual autobiography.
14, 1837--Frances Havergal is born. As a Godly woman, she will write much for the advancement of the Kingdom of Heaven. Early, she will commit to memory the New Testament and the book of Psalms in six languages! She will leave behind her such hymns as "I Gave My Life for Thee", "Lord, Speak to Me that I May Speak", "Who Is On the Lord’s Side", and "Take my life and Let it Be."
*15,....: This is the 1st day of the month Tevet which is the 10th month. Noah and his family see the tops of the mountains from the ark. --(Genesis 8:5)
15, 1790--Mary Catlett, wife of John Newton, dies.
16, 1714--George Whitefield is born is Gloucester, England.
16, 1758--John Newton is appointed minister of the Church of England. He is well known for his having penned the words, "Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me."
16, 1770--In Bonn, Germany, Ludwig Beethoven, who will be known as the "Shakespeare of Music" is born. His oratorio "The Mount of Olives" will make him known to Christians.
17, 1673--Matthew Henry is gripped by a sermon preached by his father. It dealt with the signs of true salvation. He comes to Christ with a repentant heart.
18, 1707--Charles Wesley, who will be known as the "Sweet Singer of Methodism" is born to Samuel and Susannah Wesley. He will write over 6,000 hymns. He is a younger brother to John.
21, 1807--John Newton dies at the age of 82 years. His epitaph which he penned himself reads, "John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy, near 16 years at Olney ...and 28 years in this church."
22, 1899--Dwight Lyman Moody will die exclaiming, "This is my triumph!
This is my coronation day! I have been looking forward to it for years!"
*24,----: This day, the 10th day of the 10th month called Tevet, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, lays siege to Jerusalem. This is the 9th year of his reign. --(II Kings 25:1; Jeremiah 52:4)
24, 1818--In the city of Oberndorf in the Austrian Alps, Joseph Mohr pens the song, "Silent Night." His organist will inform him the organ is irreparable and will compose the tune on a guitar. It will be sung for the first time at midnight. On this day, 1832, it will be introduced into the Royal Saxon Court Chapel in Pleissenburg Castle for the king and queen of Saxony.
27, 1868--Phillips Brooks has composed a hymn, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" for the children of his church. Today it will be sung for the first time by these children. Phillips Brooks is the Episcopal Bishop of Holy Trinity Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.