“For the time, will come when people WILL NOT PUT UP with SOUND DOCTRINE. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their ITCHING EARS want to hear.” (2 Tim. 4:3) “ITCHING EARS” is a term used in the Bible to describe individuals who seek out messages and doctrines that condone their own lifestyle, as opposed to obeying the teachings of the apostles which to them is A MYTH. This scripture would be what the devil would use to DISCOURAGE HOLINESS! Sadly, we do not hear as much about holiness as we should. So, what does the scripture say about holiness?
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness (hagiasmos; sanctification, moral purity.), without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
OK, God is holy, but what about us? “…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.” (1 Pet. 1:15-16) (Leviticus 11:44,45; 19:2)
The prayer Jesus prayed recorded in John’s Gospel chapter 17, states: “For them I sanctify myself, that THEY TOO MAY BE TRULY SANCTIFIED (hagiazō; consecrate; cleanse, purify, make holy.) “…I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that ALL OF THEM MAY BE ONE, Father, just as YOU ARE IN ME and I AM IN YOU. May they also BE IN US…” (John 17:19-21)
At my very first visit to an alter (I was saved in a restroom) the Lord SANCTIFIED ME On May 19th, 1972, and spoke to me to go home and dump my alcohol and drugs down the toilet, sad to say, I was addicted to both! When I did, the Lord MANIFESTED HIS PRESENCE IN ME, showing that my relationship with Him (living in holiness) would be the most AWESOME EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE! And for the past 52 years it certainly has been! How do we get sanctified? We simply pray, “Lord Jesus, wash me in your blood, MAKE ME HOLY!”
“We know that our old self was crucified with Him…so that we would NO LONGER BE ENSLAVED TO SIN. For one who has died (to sin) has been SET FREE from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that WE WILL ALSO LIVE WITH HIM.” (Rom. 6:6-8)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham