J.I. Packer wrote an excellent book entitled Rediscovering Holiness: Know The Fullness of Life with God. In the book, Packer says this: From watching today's Christian world (and in particular the great evangelical constituency of North America), you might easily conclude that holiness does not matter... Who do we Christians mainly preach and teach and produce TV programs and DVD's about these days? The answer seems to be not holiness, but success and positive feelings - getting health, wealth, freedom from care, good sex and happy families... What do we Christians chiefly value in our leaders - our preachers, teachers, pastors, writers, televangelists, top people in parachurch ministries, money-men who bankroll churches and other Christian enterprises, and other folk with key roles in our setup? The answer seems to be not their holiness, but their gifts and skills and resources... How do we Christians share the gospel to others? Do you emphasize repentance, and the holiness by which repentance is expressed, as a spiritual necessity? Shall I guess? But if we play down or ignore the importance of holiness, we are utterly and absolutely wrong. Friends, holiness is not a side order in the Christian life. It is the Christian life. May we not strive for anything in this world as much as we strive "for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).
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About MeI am a Husband to Clarissa, Pastor at Liberty Baptist Church, reader of many books, and tweeter at @brad_merchant. Archives
July 2016
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