holy

HOLINESS

Posted on October 6, 2023 by West Oaks Fellowship

You may remember, West Oaks Fellowship used to regularly incorporate the song, “Take My Life” (aka Holiness) as an integral part of our worship ministries. The message of the song, if one listens carefully, is quite challenging, but unmistakably true! At least for me anyway …

“Holiness, holiness

Is what I long for

Holiness is what I need

Holiness, holiness

Is what You want from me.”

If I start from the last line and work up, I must spiritually, and then even practically agree — that Holiness is what You (the Lord) wants / desires for me. Moving on up to the third line from the bottom, I then, too, must spiritually, as well as practically, agree – Holiness is what I need! Then I move up to the top two lines and pause … is Holiness truly something I am constantly longing for, or am I willing to settle for much less?

2 Corinthians 7:1 reminds us concerning the Lord’s positioning us as “the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16b) – “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

The concept of holiness, as conveyed in this text, denotes a separation unto the Lord, much like the concept of sanctification (being set apart), as well as the manifestation or continuous display of this quality in one’s life. In accordance with this verse (2 Corinthians 7:1), believers are instructed, not asked, to be perfecting “Holiness” while living out life in this world. Too often, believers discount this admonition, relegating it to a futuristic concept that will occur in the Lord’s Kingdom or in eternity. However, in reality, Hebrews 12:10-11 cannot be tossed! “For they (human fathers) disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” It’s apparent, according to the truth of the biblical text, that the Lord’s discipline in one’s life works somehow supernaturally, allowing us to ultimately “share His (Christ’s) holiness!”

At that … for believers like myself, that long to live in holiness, but sometimes crumble when over-stressed and driven by feelings / emotions, rather than “taking every thought captive” … it becomes impossible to ignore the instruction and admonition of Ephesians 4:20-24!

But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Without question, unmistakably, our experiencing holiness is God’s purpose and will for all His followers / children, now and forever, just as the Apostle reminds the Thessalonians … “so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:13)

The “Song Of Moses” (Exodus 15:1-15), asks a declarative, rhetorical question (vs11), “Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders?” Just think, as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, you’ve been invited, encouraged, challenged, and actually instructed to share in our Lord’s holiness! While this word, HOLINESS, which has limited use in the scriptures, isn’t often considered as a significant part of a believer’s spiritual development, perhaps we should fully embrace this concept as a significant milestone on one’s path to spiritual maturity. The mindset of faithful believers must be transformed from, what can I get away with and it be considered ok, into the truth of 1 Peter 1:14-16!

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”

Help me, help us, Lord! May holiness be manifested (clearly seen and displayed) in our lives.

Pastor Frank

CONSECRATE

Posted on May 9, 2022May 9, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

In the Old Testament, Moses, under direct orders from the Lord, declares (Leviticus 20:7):

You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the Lord your God.

According to this passage of Scripture,for Israel to be and remain the people of God, they must be “consecrated” and “holy.” This is not merely speaking ritualistically or in a ceremonial sense, but also in a spiritual, moral, ethical, and behavioral sense. The basic or principal command was (Leviticus 19:2),

You shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy.

This leads directly to the commands to honor one’s father and mother, to keep the Sabbaths, to refrain from theft and falsehood, to deal rightly with neighbors and servants, and to be kind to the blind and deaf. It’s interesting to note that each command is followed by the refrain, “I am the Lord,” which strongly upholds and continually emphasizes the original premise . . . the Lord God is holy, as is one’s relationship with Him! Thus Israel’s holiness is not based upon mere ritualistic behaviors and/or actions, but is clearly identified as obedience to God’s divine truth/law (Numbers 15:40):

So that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.

Therefore, this consecration was more than religious and/or ceremonial; it made a “holy” impact in the entire life … a holy dimension that encompassed one’s entire being … spiritually, morally, ethically, and behaviorally!

Several Old Testament Hebrew words are translated “consecrate” in the biblical text, but each refers to the setting apart of a person or object for the service and/or worship of God. God set His people apart from other nations to worship and serve Him as no other.

However, there remained human responsibility in the framework of His consecration, thus we see the practical implications of consecration fully developed by God’s Old Testament prophets. According to their declarations, true and believing faith leads to consecration – which is an internal/inward dedication that results in the spiritual modification of one’s character and the on-going development of one’s spirituality. For His prophets, the immediacy of one’s relationship to God’s holiness was indicated by a willingness to faithfully participate in acts of spiritual consecration and dedication which demanded absolute obedience, as well as certain observances that necessarily resulted in a spiritual transformation of that individual.

As an example, the “unclean lips” of the prophet Isaiah are purified by a coal from the heavenly altar, and his “guilt is taken away” and his “sin forgiven!” (See Isaiah 6:5-7) Here, a willing and obedient heart is combined with the actions of almighty God. Amos argues that divine holiness demands the ethical reconstruction and consecration of an entire society. The celebrations, feasts, and assemblies (Amos 4:4; 5:21-24) were declared spiritually worthless and meaningless apart from the spiritual, moral, ethical, and behavioral qualities of justice and righteousness. God promises in His holiness, even to avenge the poor, the afflicted, and the oppressed in Amos 2:6; 4:1; 5:10-15.

This only happens when people of true faith turn from human thinking to embrace the wisdom of a living God who knows all and sees all. Otherwise, human benevolence becomes extremely selective, biased, bigoted, highly discriminatory and judgmental. For Habakkuk, the corollary of divine holiness was displayed in righteous anger against evil, faithlessness, and wrongdoing! This prophet even speaks of some spiritual vindication for the righteous — men and women who actively and effectively uphold the standards/concepts of God’s holiness and live wholeheartedly by faith in Him. (See Habakkuk 1:12; 2:4)

As one moves to the New Testament, the word consecrated is only used nominally in reference to objects of Hebrew worship. However, the concept is fully ratified throughout the Biblical text in the term/word “sanctification.” Here we find a distinct, as well as unique “setting apart” of individuals (not objects) for the service and worship of the Lord. Just as in the Old Testament, one finds an act of God combining with the will and subsequent actions of humanity, to bring about sanctification. Biblical, New Testament sanctification always results in a spiritual modification that works to bring about a total adjustment in one’s ethics, morals, thoughts, desires, passions, and behavior.

While it is certainly God that sanctifies, there remains human responsibility in the sanctification process. Just as grapes do not become fine wine automatically, neither does a believer become a true disciple of Jesus Christ without owning and nurturing their relationship with Him. Romans 6:19-23 serves to remind us of this simple fact!

For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Scriptures reveal that one’s thoughts, choices, and actions matter in the sanctification and/or consecration process!

However, we must never forget that this process is impossible without the work of the Lord, and can in no way be achieved or obtained by human effort alone. I Corinthians 1:26-31 states this clearly:

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, ‘LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.’

What shall we do? Partner with the Lord … be consecrated, be sanctified … or not?

Choose today whom you’ll serve. — Pastor Frank

HOLIDAYS

Posted on May 5, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Believe it or not, God’s Word, and the lives of those living in the various cultures described in our biblical text are filled with holidays and public celebrations like our Thanksgiving and Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, etc. A cursory glance at the word “holiday” gives one a clear hint of its etymology … a compound word created from the words for holy (halig) and day (daeg) from the 14th century. The English pronunciation converges from the 16th century with original uses related directly to religious feasts, festivals, and fasts. However, eventually by the mid 18th century, the meaning evolved to include days of recreation and general celebrations like our 4th of July.

The Hebrews of the Old Testament had an abundance of holidays. Some were based upon their traditions, others were focused on agriculture, and some depicted natural changes of times and seasons. However, historical events connected with the national/religious life of the Jewish people are positioned above others as significant memorials, demanding individual as well as group participation. Therefore these holidays, consisting of fasts, feasts, and festivals were often accompanied by cleansing rituals, offerings (some general – others very specific – as an example see Numbers 10:10), and sacrifices (usually specific – see examples in Numbers 28-29).

The reading of Numbers chapters 28-29 seemingly reveals a complex, as well as somewhat complicated need for specific adherence to each specific instruction or demand. Wow! Before long all this could get really burdensome, old, boring, dreary, mind-deadening, and eventually completely uninspiring. Perhaps many of our holidays are similarly bogged down with expectations, traditions, rituals and routines, ultimately losing the meaning and value for which they were originally established. Where’s the memorial in Memorial Day, the mass (gathering of God’s people for worship) of Christmas, or the giving of thanks at Thanksgiving? Unabashedly, the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk reminded everyone, “the righteous (just) live by/in/through their faith” (2:4), and individuals like Isaiah and Amos, along with many others, moved beyond the rituals of their holidays (fasts, feast, and festivals), leaping right into the heart of the matter.

Isaiah 1:13-14 — Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies — I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

Amos 5:21-23 — I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.

Hosea 2:11 — I will also put an end to all her gaiety, her feasts, her new moons, her Sabbaths and all her festal assemblies.

Certainly these statements were specifically directed toward the spiritual condition of those religiously being religious … practicing their holidays (fasts, feasts, and festivals) — perhaps even flawlessly — to the letter of the law, yet heartlessly without consideration of their true meaning, worth or purpose. So much attention to detail, yet so little contemplation. Have you ever asked the Lord what He is asking of, or what He desires for you and yours this holiday season? Does one just continue walking in what’s always been, just because its always been, or does one earnestly seek to know Him more fully through the feasting and festivities that so anxiously lurk on the horizon?

It’s unmistakably and observably evident that spiritually-minded individuals like Samuel, King David, and Hosea comprehended and appreciated the distinguishing matters of the heart over the process of ritualistic religious activities — holidays (fasts, feasts, and festivals).

I Samuel 15:22 — Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.

Psalms 51:16-17 — David declares, “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; you are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

Hosea 6:6-7 — For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant; there they have dealt treacherously against Me.

For this year’s Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I’m sincerely, almost in desperation, beseeching the Lord on behalf of our church and every family touched by this ministry … May the Lord delight in our obedience and loyalty to Him, as well as our ever-increasing knowledge of Him, His ways, and His character, which can only come through the humility of a broken human spirit when accompanied by a broken (of natural pride and self-sufficiency — having been completely humbled) and contrite (genuinely repentant) heart.

Can we do it? Let’s make our Holidays … Holy Days!

— Pastor Frank

TOLERANCE

Posted on April 25, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Tolerance, in our current culture, both politically and socially, is often defined as open-mindedness, broadmindedness, leniency, acceptance, and forbearance. Consequently, as Bible believing, evangelical Christians, we are often accused by unbelievers, as well as some religionists, of being totally intolerant. Isn’t it interesting that those that strive to accuse faithful believers of intolerance have no room in their philosophy for our views or beliefs, which in essence clearly displays their own shrewd, hardheaded, hypocritical intolerance? Perhaps, with that in view, we should consider the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ in Luke 6:22, recognizing that we are blessed when others reject us due to our faith in Him!

Paul Thomas Mann (1875-1955 — a German novelist, short story writer, social critic, philanthropist, essayist, 1929 Nobel Prize in Literature) once stated, “Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to evil.” That quote should boldly and unreservedly challenge every Christian to consider one’s own view/perspective of “tolerance.” While it may be very difficult to distinguish between a political/social view and that of a purely biblical perspective, the Truth of God’s Word should serve as the unshakable foundation for every believer’s political/social view of tolerance! Committed, Bible believing Christians are actually some of the most “tolerant” people on the face of the earth. We don’t kill those that disagree with us, nor do we condemn individuals whose values and behavior doesn’t align with ours. In I Corinthians 6:9-11 we are reminded of the absolute, inalterable Truth: …

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (by perversion), nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (Also see Galatians 4:8)

While our Lord may appear to be tolerant of sin, in reality He is completely intolerant of sin (See Ezekiel 18:20 & Romans 5:12). However, He graciously and mercifully provides all humanity with a way out of their sin, as well as an escape from one’s past and the dominating control of human nature!

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together^]with Christ (by grace you have been saved). — Ephesians 2:4-5

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. — Ephesians 2:9

Then, as believers, we become intolerant of sin in our own lives because one’s nature has changed, and God’s transformation process creates in true believers a desire to be “Holy, as He is Holy” (See I Peter 1:16 & I Peter 2:5) in contrast to remaining a sin-filled individual and living according to values and ideals that stand in contradiction to God’s Word and His Truth.

Needless to say, the concept of tolerance becomes difficult due to the fact that God loves every human being in spite of his or her sin, but at the same time literally hates sin (See Proverbs 6:16). Unquestionably, the original definition of tolerance and the way in which the word is used today are quite different. Tolerance once meant acknowledgement of differing beliefs and accepting that others had the right to believe differently. In this way, we as believers are to be absolutely tolerant.

However, since tolerance has come to mean accepting that other beliefs are valid or true … we must reject those beliefs – and even stand against them when they are sin and promote values contrary to those of our God! Actually, to embrace the world’s type of tolerance makes no logical sense and precludes any personal opinion or belief in full acceptance of whatever other belief may be presented. Therefore, tolerance, as it’s now presented, rejects the possibility that objective truth actually exists, even though Jesus Christ came to give/reveal truth (See John 1:14, John 1:17, John 8:32, & Romans 6:16-23).

Christians can acknowledge the right of others to have different beliefs, however, we cannot allow those beliefs to go unchallenged. Therefore, it’s inevitable that the world will call us intolerant, but we can mitigate the damage by being intolerant in the way God instructs us. First, we must know what we believe (See I Peter 3:15). Second, we must effectively share and teach what we believe and why we believe it (See II Timothy 2:23-26). Certainly we are called to tolerate – and even to love — people, yet without accepting their false beliefs, sin packed values, and humanistic/pagan/hedonistic agendas.

— Pastor Frank

POWER

Posted on April 25, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

This word throughout the biblical text is indicative of might, strength, and force. It is used in the Old Testament to render many Hebrew words like that for valor, rule, and dominion. The principal words for “power” in the New Testament are ‎dunamis‎, from which we get the word dynamite in English, and ‎exousia which refers to jurisdiction over a certain realm, a right, privilege, or ability. In Mark 3:15 and 6:7 Jesus gives His followers authority over demons and/or unclean spirits; and in Ephesians 1:21 Christ Himself is depicted with strength, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and (above and over) every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Romans 9:21 reinforces this understanding of “power” when asking, “does not the potter have a right over the clay?”

This type of “power” is attributed preeminently to God, whose absolute attribute of omnipotence (almighty, all-powerful) is referenced in I Chronicles 29:11-13:

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

In Revelation 7:12 the testimony of God’s power is expressed as those gathered around the throne fall on their faces and declare,

Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.

God’s supreme manifestation of this “power,” as in His wisdom, His mercy, His grace, and His love, is redemption.

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. — I Corinthians 1:18

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. — I Corinthians 1:21-2

In addition, the preaching of Christ’s gospel is often accompanied by a display, manifestation, or demonstration of “power” as affirmed in I Corinthians 2:4. Paul reminds us in I Thessalonians 1:5 that this transforming message of grace, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, and hope, “did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction!” Miracles are also noted by Jesus Christ, when translated literally, as “works of power” in reference to His own supernatural ministry on earth in Matthew 11:21, 23.

As we’ve been studying on Sunday mornings and most recently on Wednesday evenings, we, as faithful followers of JC, recognize and are fully aware of these truths.

1. The power of God raised Christ from the dead.

2. That same power will raise all true believers who are Christ’s as part of the first resurrection.

3. This power, God’s supernatural, incomparable, immeasurable, restorative, rejuvenating omnipotence, resides within us.

Therefore, we shall not be moved, we shall remain steadfast through all things (even physical persecution which may lay at our doorstep) in the hope and confidence of our Lord, Jesus Christ and His provision of great “power” … “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” I John 4:4. In the consideration of “power” I’m challenging all of us to study, meditate upon, and fully embrace II Timothy 1:7:

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power (dunámeoos – dynamite) and love and discipline.

His & Yours, PF