Beauties Of Holiness By Sadhu Sandar Selvaraj

Beauties Of Holiness

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Beauties of Holiness

Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptural quotations are taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers. The Amplified Bible, New Testament. Copyright @ 1954, 1958 by the Lockmann Foundation. Used by Permission. First Edition: 2005 This Reprint: 2009

BEAUTIES OF HOLINESS ISBN: 981-04-0530-8 Published by: Jesus Ministries Pte Ltd 10 Ubi Crescent #02-90 Singapore 408564

Copyright © 2005 by Jesus Ministries Pte Ltd. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. No part of this book in whole or in part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or material, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Jesus Ministries Pte Ltd, except in the case of brief quotations in reviews for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or broadcast.

Cover Design: DTP/Typesetting:

Johnny Lim, Jesus Ministries Johnny Lim, Jesus Ministries

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DEDICATION This book is worshipfully dedicated To the Heavenly Father for His grace and mercy To the Lord Jesus Christ for revealing these precious truths And the Holy Spirit for His inspiration and teaching And To all precious and beloved brothers and sisters Who greatly desire to learn How to live Holy like the Lord God.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I want to humbly express my deep and profound gratitude and thanks, and acknowledge the sacrifices of labour and love that the following dear brothers and sister have rendered to make this book a reality: Johnny Lim – for his beautiful artcover. Amutha Arnasalam – for her tireless and sacrificial labours of love in typesetting this book. Bernard Lee – a dear brother and friend who has meticulously edited this book.

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CONTENTS Preface    1. The Holy God 9   2. The Beauty of Holiness 21   3. Do We Need Holiness? 39   4. Holiness Unto God 51   5. The Essence of Holiness 73   6. The Fountain of Holiness 83   7. A Holy Living 107 8.

Holiness in Christ Jesus

129

9.

The Pathway of Holiness

141

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PREFACE God has only one intended destiny for mankind -holiness. His only goal is to produce saints. He did not come to save us out of pity - He came to save us because He created us to be holy A.W. Tozer   Once I was praying with some friends in South India in September 1983. The presence of God came very powerfully into our midst. A certain brother, being filled with the Holy Spirit, looked at me and said, “Brother, I see the Lord Jesus giving you a white flag. By this the Holy Spirit is signifying that God would use you to call the Church to God’s standard of holiness.” Over the past 26 years, indeed the Holy Spirit has used this little vessel to blow the trumpet calling the church to holiness.   The Lord has told me to “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isa. 58:1). Such a call is not an easy and pleasant one because most Christians and churches do not like their sins to be exposed. Sometimes comments like these are made: “Brother, you must be 6

sensitive to others’ feelings so that they do not get hurt” or “Brother, if you openly expose the sins of our Church, or if you preach too strongly, people would not come to the church.” But God has only one standard of holiness, which is to be holy like Him.    As the coming of the Lord Jesus is approaching fast the Holy Spirit is hastening to put the final finishing touches of holiness on the Bride of Christ. My dear brothers and sisters, the Bridegroom is coming for a pure and chaste Bride. To be the Bride of Christ, there is only but just one standard. It is written, “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still” (Rev. 22:11). I humbly trust in Christ Jesus that through this book every believer can learn that a lifestyle of holiness is not impossible and that we do not need to engage in an impossible struggle in order to live holy. All struggles will cease when we learn to rest in Christ, holding His hands and walking with Him. Such a walk will be a walk of holiness.    

Sundar Selvaraj May 2005

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Chapter 1

The Holy God

Science tells us that different kinds of atmospheric conditions exist in our solar system because of the thermonuclear energy of the sun. The planets Mercury and Venus, which are closest to the sun, are so hot that life cannot exist. This speaks of the awesomeness of God who is glorious in holiness, unto whose presence nobody could approach or behold His face (Ex. 33:20; 1 Tim. 6:16). The other planets Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto are so far away from the sun that life could not exist. This speaks of a life cut away from the face and grace of God. Without God, life becomes cold and unfruitful. Only our planet Earth is at the right proximity to the sun in all relations. As a consequence, we are blessed with favorable conditions for the sustenance of life. The relationship between the sun and the earth speaks of the relationship between God and the Christian. The standard of holiness is found in the “right proximity” between the individual and his God.   God is holy. He did not command us to be all-knowing, all-powerful, and present everywhere at once like Him in His supernatural attributes. But God has called us to

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partake of His holiness so that we could be like Him in His divine nature (Heb. 12:10). God loves holiness (Mal. 2:11).  We are commanded to be holy and it is possible to live a holy life because God is holy. Though it might be the passionate pursuit of every believer to be holy, yet somehow all our striving seems to be in vain and fruitless.   The secret to living holy, however, lies in recognizing the source and product of holiness itself. From such a recognition would dawn the comprehension of the composition and by products of holiness. This understanding would enable us to live holy like God. Consider a tree. Before he sows the seeds, every wise farmer would carefully and laboriously till the ground first. After which, he plants the seeds in that good ground. The goodness and life-giving qualities in the ground would cause the seeds to germinate and grow into saplings and then into full-grown trees. These trees would remain healthy and productive as long as they simply remain planted in the ground. Herein lies the secret for us to live holy. The Lord Jesus, who is without sin, is that good ground. If we remain in Him, His righteousness, perfection, and holiness would be infused into us so that we would eventually grow up bearing His likeness. There is a spiritual purpose and lesson for us here in Moses’ striking of the rock and letting out the flow of water. The Israelites in the wilderness needed that water to sustain their physical lives. We need to drink continuously from the life-giving, pure river of life that flows from the Lord Jesus to keep ourselves holy and to remain holy (Jer. 2:13; 1 Cor. 10:4; Rev. 7:17).   This crystal-clear pure river of life, flowing all over and within us, would purify and cleanse us of every filthiness 10

The Holy God

of the spirit and flesh, sanctifying, transforming, and perfecting us in the holiness of God.

The Divine Constitution Of Holiness   ISAIAH 43:3a 3a For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel.

  The Hebrew word “Yahweh–M’Kaddesh” means I am who I am your Sanctifier. Holiness is regarded as one of the attributes of God. The attributes of God are the qualities and perfections, which belong to Him and are forms and expressions of His Being as revealed to man. Theologians classify these attributes as incommunicable and communicable. The incommunicable attributes of God reveal Him as the Absolute Being, an infinite and rational Spirit who is self-existent, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient. The communicable attributes of God reveal His personal nature as a conscious, intelligent, free, and moral Being. These attributes as revealed are Holiness, Righteousness, Justice, Goodness, Love, Grace, Mercy, and Truth. The very essence of God’s absolute being is Holiness. This Holiness makes God uniquely as The Lord God.   The Lord God is the God of holiness (Ps. 99:9). The theologian Gustav Aulen has very beautifully written, holiness is the foundation on which the whole conception of God rests (The Faith of the Christian Church). Louis Berkhof, the respected theologian writes, It [holiness] is some thing that is co-extensive with and applicable to, everything that can be predicated of God (Systematic Theology).   11

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The scriptures reveal the holiness of God in two ways. Firstly, it denotes that God in His infinite majesty is distinct from His creation. His holiness is revealed in His goodness, grace, justice, and wrath. It can be termed as the “majestic-holiness” of God. Secondly, it denotes that God, in His holiness, is ethically separated from moral evil or sin.  He cannot have communion nor co-habit with sin (Job. 34:10; Hab. 1:13). This could be regarded as the “majestic-purity” of God.  

The Significance of God’s Holiness

  Let us examine macroscopically the exhibition of God’s holiness.  

i. Majestic-Holiness   God’s holiness is composed of His awesomeness and majesty. It is the awesome and majestic nature of God, which overwhelms man and evokes in him a reverential fear for God. When Jacob in a dream beheld the Lord and the angels of God, he exclaimed, How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven (Gen. 28:17). In 1987, a saintly prophet of God and I were fasting and praying for seven days in Madurai, South India. On the seventh day, we had a visitation from God. We beheld the similitude of the Lord Jesus face to face. The Lord Jesus appeared as a person ablaze with fire. His very being was composed of fire, which seemed devouring (Ezek. 1:27).   We immediately recalled the scriptures, which stated that 12

The Holy God

God is a consuming and devouring fire (Deu. 4:24; Ps. 50:3; Heb. 12:29). The Holy Spirit then signified to us that the holiness of God is manifested as a consuming or devouring fire. Like Joshua, we fell on our faces, awed by the fear of God and began to worship His majesty (Jos. 3:15). It is because of this manifestation of God’s majesticholiness as consuming and devouring fire that God’s presence is always seen enshrouded within a cloud (Ex. 14:24, 19:9, 34:5; Num. 11:25). The Shekinah Cloud is the tangible manifestation of the Holiness of God.   The Being of God is parabolized in workings of the sun. Scientists tell us that the sun generates energy by turning hydrogen to helium through a process called nuclear fusion in its interior core. This gives the sun the appearance of a burning furnace. Likewise, the Holiness of God is manifested as a consuming and devouring fire.   The energy that is radiated from the sun as a result of the burnings within appears to the naked eye as visible infrared light. Due to the spectral intensity radiated by the surface gases of the sun, this light appears yellow in colour. Once in 1991, I was caught up in a vision and I saw the heavens open before me. I saw a door open and, looking within (Rev. 4:1), I saw billows of soft white cloud, which appeared goldish-yellow in colour. The Holy Spirit then signified that this is the manifestation of the Shekinah Glory of God. It seems that the glory light that shines forth from the Holiness of God also appears yellow in colour.   In Isaiah 6:3, we read, And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!’ and Revelation 4:8 says, The four living creatures, 13

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each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come! Why did the seraphim and the four living creatures praise and worship God’s holiness thrice?   The sun’s structure is composed of three regions. Likewise the Holiness of God is composed of three components. These three components are Righteousness, Justice, and Love. How did we arrive at this? God has always revealed Himself, specifically, His attributes and natures in His Name. The Bible says Exodus 34:6,7, And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation (Ex.34:6,7).    In proclaiming His Name, God revealed to Moses the glory of His Holiness (Ex.15:11). The Name of God consists of three parts, which exemplify the three components of holiness.   1. “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious” speaks of Righteousness (Ps. 85:10).   2. “Slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth” speaks of Love (Ps. 30:5; Jer. 31:3).   3. “Keeping mercy and forgiving iniquity” speaks of Justice. A scriptural example for this could be found

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in Genesis 3:14-21. Because God’s justice required judgement on sin He cursed man and did not clear man’s guilt but instead visited his iniquity. In His mercy, however, God forgave their transgression, covering them with coats of skins and promising man a Messiah. It is for this reason that the heavenly hosts praise and worship God’s holiness thrice, declaring God’s absolute holiness in His Righteousness, Justice, and Love.   God’s righteousness is established in total integrity and uprightness (Ps. 25:8). This divine character in God is absolute. It is not in God’s nature to do wrong (Ps. 85:13). Righteousness is an aspect of God’s holiness which makes manifest His moral nature. God’s justice is closely related to God’s righteousness. In His justice God is fair in all His ways and shows no partiality to any of His creation (Rom. 2:11; Col. 3:25). The scriptures in Romans 2:7,8 further elucidate the justice of God: To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honour and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and self-willed and disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness, there will be indignation and wrath (Amp.).   Let me unveil a spiritual mystery of the ark of the covenant. The ark of the covenant is the parabolic representation on earth of the throne of God in heaven (Heb. 8:5, 4:16, 10:19; Rev. 11:19). By the ark is a cherub each on the left side and the right side with their wings stretched out as if to provide a cover over the ark. On the ark is also the mercy seat. The two cherubim speak 15

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of righteousness and justice because the Bible says that Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face (Ps. 89:14, 97:2). Righteousness and justice is Holiness exhibited in divine government.   The mercy seat speaks of love. The mercy seat points to the finished work of Christ’s redemption, which is a demonstration of God’s love (Jn. 3:16). Just as water is used to extinguish fire, likewise, from the mercy seat, love flows out to appease the fiery emanation of righteousness and justice from God’s holiness (Amos 5:24; Rev. 22:1). Righteousness, Justice, and Love are therefore the composition of Holiness upon which God is enthroned and where He inhabits (Ps. 47:8; Isa. 63:15).  

ii. Divine Purity   HABAKKUK 1:13a 13a You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.

  The Bible tells us that God dwells in unapproachable light (Dan. 2:22; 1 Tim. 6:16). This bright and brilliant light is the manifestation of the purity of His holiness. In order to show man that God’s holiness is pure, God specifically commanded Moses to make all the furniture in the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place not just with gold but pure gold. Gold speaks of holiness while pure gold speaks of the purity of holiness.   There is nothing impure nor anything unclean in God. All things in heaven are of greater purity and

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The Holy God

perfection. Holiness permeates all things. So purified and holy is that state that all things are transparently open. Nothing, no spiritual being, has anything to fear or hide from in heaven. Neither is there any hiding place in heaven. Not the slightest trace of evil could abide in that place. Holiness is manifested in every being - whether angel or redeemed saint - from the lowest to the highest order.   It was for this reason too that the conception of the Lord Jesus was supernatural. Let’s study the creation of a new baby more closely. During sexual intercourse, the male sperm has to pass through a tube called urethra in the male sexual organ. Urine from the bladder is also released through the urethra, making this tube unclean. On the other hand, the fertilized ovule of the female is kept on the walls of the womb, clean from defilement. If the Lord Jesus is the biological son of Joseph, He would not be pure and without sin. It was for this reason that the Holy Spirit, who is a quickening Spirit (Rom. 8:11), quickened life in the ovule of Mary, causing it to become fertilized and alive supernaturally. Thus the Lord Jesus, though born of a woman, was pure and clean and without sin (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pe. 1:19; 1 Jn.3:5).   It is written, God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way] (1 Jn. 1:5b, Amp.). This is the radiance of purity in which God dwells. The components of righteousness, justice, and love reveal the glory of God’s holiness. It was this realization that made Moses sing, Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, awesome in splendour, doing wonders? (Ex. 15:11, Amp.)     17

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Holiness Enshrined In the Tabernacle EXODUS 25:8 (Amp.) 8 Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.   EXODUS 40:34 (Amp.) 34 Then the cloud [the Shekinah, God’s visible presence] covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle! Parabolized in the holy furniture of the tabernacle is not just God’s essential holiness but the beautiful truth that the Holy God desires to sanctify His people. Consider the pattern of the tabernacle. The tabernacle consists of three sections, namely, the Most Holy Place, the Holy Place, and the Outer Court.    i. The Outer Court houses two furniture - the Brazen Altar and the Laver of Washing. This speaks of the cleansing work of God (Ezek. 16:4,9, 36:25; Eph. 5:26; Heb. 10:22).   ii. The Holy Place houses three furniture - the Lampstand, the Table of Shewbread and the Altar of Incense. This speaks of the purifying work of God (Ps. 12:6, 119:9; Mal. 3:3).   iii. The Most Holy Place houses only one furniture - the Ark of the Covenant. This speaks of the sanctifying work of God (Ex. 34:29; Rom. 15:16; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Pe. 1:2).  

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The Holy God

Holiness is not only enshrined in the tabernacle—it is the very shrine of God (Ps. 93:10). Holiness adorns the house wherein resides the holy God. The throne upon which God sits upon is also declared as holy (Ps. 47:8). When the high priest entered the Holy Place, he could see only by the light of a golden lampstand (Ex. 25:31-40). When we come before God in prayer the light of God’s holiness will convict us of sin. When we kneel before the Holy God and spread our hands to Him in humble surrender, that same light of God’s holiness will sanctify us. Without holiness, man cannot come before God nor see God (Heb. 12:14). In commanding man to be holy like Him, the Lord God Himself demonstrated through types and foreshadows in the tabernacle that He alone is the Sanctifier of His people. God is holiness. Because He is holy, He requires His chosen and redeemed people to be holy (Lev. 11:44, 19:2, 20:7; 1 Pe. 1:16). Having declared Himself holy, God requires that same holiness from us, so that we could commune and fellowship with the holy God.

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Chapter 2

The Beauty of Holiness

I was once in Darkhan, Mongolia, in 1996. One morning, while ministering unto God, I sang Holy, holy, holy is the Lord. Let my prayer to you be as incense. As I kept on repeating this sentence, the presence of the Holy Spirit came upon me, and He spoke these words to me: Holiness in your heart will enable you to see the holy God. Purity in your heart will enable you to lift up clean hands to worship and pray to God. A walk of righteousness will enable you to walk up to and stand before God in his glory (Ps. 15:1-5, 24:3,4; Isa. 33:14-17).

 

LEVITICUS 19:2 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.’”   1 THESSALONIANS 4:7 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

Having declared Himself holy, God now calls His people to be holy like Him. The word “call” in Greek is kaleo, which means to call anyone, invite, summon. It is used particularly of the divine call to partake of the blessings of 21

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the kingdom. Just as Adam was found with iniquity and became sinful and unclean when he transgressed God’s commandment, thereby disqualifying him from partaking of the blessings of God, likewise if we are in a position of uncleanness we cannot partake of every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3). It must be understood that to live holy is not an option but a command - a summon from the throne of God.

What Is Holiness?

  There are two words used in the Bible on this subject, namely, Holiness and Sanctification. Let us analyze these words in their original languages to get a firm grasp of their root meanings.   

1. Sanctify, Sanctification   a) In Hebrew, qadash mean to sanctify, be holy. This verb also appears in the Phoenician, biblical Aramaic, and Ethiopic languages. In the old Babylonian language, qadasu means shine. Qadesh appears about 170 times in biblical Hebrew. Qadesh signifies a state wherein people or things are set aside, consecrated, and declared holy for use in the worship of God.   b) In Hebrew, qodesh means holy thing. This noun occurs about 470 times in biblical Hebrew and also in Ugaritic. It is used of things or people belonging to God (Ex. 30:31). It is also used of what God makes a person, place, or thing to be (Ex. 3:5). It is also used to describe God’s majestic holiness (Ex.15:11).   22

The Beauty of Holiness

c) In Hebrew, qadosh means holy. This adjective emphasizes ritualistic, ceremonial holiness (Num. 5:17). This word is also used of what God claims for Himself (Ex. 29:31). When applied to people, it means ritualistically separated to Him (Ex. 19:6) and thoroughly purified and perfected by Him from all moral evil (Isa. 4:3).   d) In Greek, hagiasmos means sanctification. It signifies a separation to God from evil things and ways (1 Cor. 1:30, 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Pe. 1:2). This noun occurs 10 times in the New Testament. e) In Greek, hagiazo means to sanctify. This verb is used of (a) the gold adorning the Temple (Mt. 23:17,19); (b) food (1 Tim. 4:5); (c) the unbelieving spouse of a believer (1 Cor. 7:14); (d) ceremonial cleansing of the Israelites (Heb. 9:13); (e) the setting apart of the believer for God (Acts 20:32); (f) separation of the believer from the world in his behaviour.   Some theologians are of the opinion that the word qadash is/may be related to chadesh, which means to shine.  This meaning is in line with the biblical concept of purity. There are other theologians who have come to the conclusion that the word qadesh may have derived from the root qad, meaning to cut. Cutting would imply separation. In order to emphasize this spiritual requirement, God instituted circumcision. Circumcision involves the cutting off of the foreskin of the male sexual organ as a sign of separation (Gen. 17:10,11). In the Old Testament, Israel was called holy because they were separated from all other nations, set apart for God alone (Deu. 7:6). Likewise in the New 23

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Testament the redeemed people are also distinctively called holy by virtue of their belonging uniquely to God (1 Pe. 2:9).   Sanctification could therefore be defined as a condition or state of being separated from all moral and evil ways, set apart and declared holy by God.

2. Holy, Holiness   a) In Hebrew, qadosh means holy. The Semitic languages have two separate original forms of this root word. The Akkadian word qadistu means pure and devoted. In Arabic, it is al-qaddus, meaning the most holy or most pure. This word has about 116 occurrences in the Old Testament. This word specifically describes an object or place or a person as devoted to being holy. b) In Hebrew, qadesh or qadash means to be holy, to sanctify. This verb occurs about 175 times and can mean to be holy (Ex. 29:37; Lev. 6:18) or to sanctify (2 Chr. 29:5). c) In Hebrew, qodesh means holiness; holy thing, sanctuary. This noun is mentioned about 469 times in the concepts of holiness (Ex. 15:11); holy thing (Num. 4:15); and sanctuary (Ex. 36:4). d) In Greek, hagiasmos means holiness. This noun appears 10 times in the New Testament. This word signifies (a) separation to God (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Thes. 2:13); (b) the resultant state, the conduct befitting those so separated (1 Thes. 4:3,4,7).   24

The Beauty of Holiness

e) In Greek hagiosune denotes the manifestation of the quality of holiness in relation to (a) the absolute holiness of Christ Jesus; (b) the believer’s holiness in perfection (2 Cor. 7:1); (c) unblamable in holiness (2 Thes. 3:13). This word is more particularly used to mean a growing toward perfection in Christ Jesus.   f) In Greek hagios means separated. It signifies a state of moral and spiritual significance, separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God. This word characteristically depicts god-likeness and is employed in an ethical sense to describe the quality that is necessary to stand in relation to God and to serve Him acceptably (Eph. 1:4; Col. 1:22). g) In Greek, hagiazo means separation. This verb is used in regard to (a) persons or things (Mt. 6:9; 1 Pe. 3:15); (b) the setting apart for sacred purposes (Mt. 23:17,19; 2 Tim. 2:21); (c) the operation of God’s work in man (Jn. 17:17; 1 Cor. 1:2).   h) In Greek, hosios means a person or thing free from defilement or wickedness (1 Tim. 2:8; Ti. 1:8). i) In Greek, hagnos means free from impurity and defilement in an ethical sense (1 Tim. 5:22; Jas. 3:17). Holiness can therefore be defined as a state of being separated from sin, consecrated in purity, and devoted to the service of God. It can further be stipulated that Sanctification denotes a state into which God in grace separates sinful men unto Himself and declares them holy.  Sanctification is that state 25

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of position with God into which man has positionally entered by faith in Christ. Holiness is the gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit, by which He separates the justified sinner from the defilements of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God, thus enabling him with Christlike attributes. Holiness is that state of relationship with God into which men progressively matures into by faith in Christ.    

Three States Of Holiness

  The Bible teaches about three states of holiness by which every believer comes to be known of and by God.   

1. Positional Holiness   HEBREWS 10:10 (Amp.) 10 And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One). By virtue of God’s grace and election, Israel of the Old Testament was separated and made a holy people unto God (Ex. 19:6), whereas the believers of the New Testament were made holy by virtue of the redemptive work of Christ Jesus (Heb. 10:10,14), which separates and purifies us from sin (Ti. 2:14). The Lord Jesus Christ is the author of this work of sanctification by virtue of His sacrificial death on the cross and the shedding of His blood (Heb. 10:29). I once read in

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the book Angels on Assignment of a beautiful revelation that a certain pastor in the United States received from the angel Gabriel. In it, the angel explains from a spiritual perspective how we have been made holy by the Lord Jesus. The angel Gabriel told the pastor that the prophet Zechariah had already written of this truth thousands of years ago.

 

 ZECHARIAH 3: 1-7 1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by. 6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying, 7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, And likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk Among these who stand here.’”

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This pastor saw in a vision the Lord Jesus (the word “Jesus” is a transliteration of the Hebrew word Joshua, meaning Jehovah is salvation, i.e., “Jehovah is the Saviour”) entering heaven bearing the sins of the whole world (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:28). The Lord Jesus stood bowed down, his priestly garments torn and splattered with mud, filthy with the rot and the stench of the world (Isa. 53:3-5; Heb. 5:5,6). He came with His shoulders bowed into the presence of God (Isa. 53:10,11). Then as the Lord Jesus stood there, bowed, with God’s back turned towards Him (Isa. 59:2), Gabriel the angel of the Lord spoke in a loud voice and said, Take those filthy garments from Him, remove them to a place where they will never be found (Isa. 38:17; Mic. 7:19; Heb. 10:17) and put on Him now the new kingly robes, the royal priestly robes (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 2:8-12; 7:25,26).   The angels who were standing before the Lord Jesus then placed the priestly robes over Him. A crown was also put on the Lord’s head. There was a message written across the crown: Holiness to the Lord! Count all of those people who follow Me as holy. Accept them because of what I have done (Ex. 39:30; Heb. 2:9-11). Thus, through the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus by dying for our sins, we have been washed, sanctified, justified, and purified (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Heb. 9:13,14). All believers are thus sanctified in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 1:2; Heb. 2:11; Jude 1). Being sanctified, they are now called saints (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Phil 1:1; Col. 1:2). The word “called saints” in Greek is kletois hagios, which literally means called saints. A saint is any Christian who is in Christ Jesus, sanctified by His blood. 28

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Therefore, when we were born-again, the Lord Jesus washed us clean (made purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), sanctified us (set apart, hallowed), and justified us [pronounced righteous] in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 6:11, Amp.).

2. Relational Holiness   1 THESSALONIAN 5:23,24 (Amp.) 23 And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 24 Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you]. After having been sanctified in our spirit at the new birth, we need to be continually sanctified in our everyday life. In the Old Testament, though Israel was called and set apart as holy, yet in order for them to have a continual holy relationship with the holy God, they were commanded to live a life of holiness through ceremonial sanctifying by the offering of sacrifices (Lev. 11:44, 19:2). The New Testament believers, too, were commanded to live a life of holiness. It is written in 1 Peter 1:15,16, Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behaviour, because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY’ (NASB). The word “behaviour” in Greek is anastrophe meaning way of life, conduct, behaviour. In the

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Amplified Bible this scripture reads, be holy in all your conduct and manner of living, clarifying further for us that a life of holiness is a continual and progressive process. The reason why we are being commanded to live holy, though being already sanctified in Christ Jesus, is because although sin has ceased to reign in our spirit, it still dwells in our flesh (Rom. 6:6, 12-14, 19,22). An analytical examination of two particular scriptures would enable us to understand the necessity of continual sanctification.   The Bible says, My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 Jn. 2:1). The phrase, “you may not sin” in Greek is hamartete, which means commit sin. And 1 John 3:9 says, Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. The phrase, “does not sin” in Greek is hamartian ou poiei, which is in the present tense meaning does not practice sin. And the phrase, “cannot sin” in Greek is ou dynatai hamartanein, which means, cannot go on sinning.   A believer may fall into sin but should not dwell nor continue in sin nor practice sin. The Amplified translation has beautifully translated 1 John 3:9 as No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten of God). Therefore, sanctification is a lengthy and continual process, which progressively continues throughout a

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believer’s life. We are, then, to strive and pursue after holiness (Heb. 12:14).

3. Ultimate Holiness   EPHESIANS 5:27 (Amp.) 27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].   1 JOHN 3:2 (Amp.) 2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is. Finally, the ultimate or complete sanctification of a believer will be fulfilled at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The New Testament teaches very clearly and simply about the completion of sanctification in a believer’s life from the moment of the new birth, up to the coming of the Lord Jesus (Phil. 1:6,9-11; Jas. 1:4; 2 Pe. 3:12-14).   As much as the Lord Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2), so is He the author and finisher of our sanctification. At the new birth, He sanctified us and at the consummation of the end times at His coming, He would forever sanctify us like Him (Col. 1:22; 1 Thes. 3:12,13; 1 Jn. 3:2,3).   I was once in Southern California in 1997 conducting meetings for several Chinese churches. One morning, while

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waiting on God, I fell into a trance and saw a vision. I saw myself, in an instant, totally covered with purity and holiness. My whole body was covered in the purest white, like a blanket of fresh snow on a street pavement, and I was translated into heaven. Likewise, at the coming of the Lord Jesus, when the trumpet of God is blasted, the ultimate sanctification of all believers will be completed. How will this take place? A certain man of God in India was graced by the mercies of God to see this event in a vision. He saw the glorious Lord Jesus standing in the mid-heavens and beholding all the resurrected and raptured saints who were gathered unto Him (1 Thes. 4:14-17). The Lord Jesus graciously gazed at everyone and smiled. At that moment a beam of pure light came forth from the eyes of the Lord Jesus and shone upon those saints. All the resurrected and living saints were instantaneously transformed into the glorious image of the Living Christ. The perishable and mortal nature of ours will one day be transformed, just as the Bible says. We will put on an imperishable, immortal, and glorified body, which is like the Lord Jesus’ in all His perfection, completeness and sanctification (1 Cor. 15:51,54; 2 Cor.3:18). The mystery of this truth is enshrined in a passage in the Bible: And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy at the brightness of His coming (2 Thes. 2:8). The brightness of the glory of God will destroy the wicked on the one hand, but will purify and completely sanctify the believer on the other.

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The Composition Of Holiness   The inner core components of holiness, as we have stated earlier, consist of righteousness, justice, and love.  The outer core components of holiness consist of purity and cleanliness.

1. Pure   MATTHEW 5:8 8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Holiness is not just a cutting-off from other people and being set apart unto God, but it also means a separation from all things that are impure and evil.  As God Himself is “of purer eyes then to behold evil” (Hab. 1:13), He calls His people to be pure. The word pure has the following meanings in the Hebrew and Greek languages.   i. Hebrew drowr means spontaneity of outflow; pure.   ii. Hebrew bar means pure, clean.   iii. Hebrew barar means cleanse (be clean); purity.   iv. Hebrew zak means clear-clean, pure.   v. Greek hagnos means pure from defilement, not contaminated (from the same root as “hagio”, “holy”). It appears as “pure” in Phil. 4:8, 1 Tim. 5:22; Jas. 3:17; 1 Jn. 3:3).

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vi Greek katharos means pure (as been cleansed).  This adjective appears in Mt. 5:8; Titus 1:15; Heb. 10:22; 1 Pe. 1:22.   vii Greek eilikrines means unalloyed, pure. This adjective is used of moral and ethical purity (Phil. 1:10; 2 Pe. 3:1).   Therefore, to be pure means to be cleansed from contamination and defilement of the spirit (the inner man).

2. Cleanliness   LEVITICUS 16:30b 30b that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. Since the fall of Adam, man is not clean in the eyes of the holy God (Job 4:17; Pro. 20:9). Not only man, even the stars in heaven are not pure and clean in God’s eyes (Job 25:5).  However, by virtue of the grace of God, He has cleansed us from every impurity and has had made us clean before Him (Jer. 33:8; Ezek. 37:23).  Let us examine this concept in its original languages.   The word “clean” has the following meanings:   i. Hebrew taher means to be clean; pure. The root of this word appears over 200 times in various forms.   ii. Hebrew tahor means clean; pure. This adjective denotes the absence of impurity, filthiness, defilement, or imperfection.   34

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iii. Hebrew zakah means to be translucent; be (make) clean; cleanse; count pure.   iv. Hebrew naqiy means blameless; clean.   v. Hebrew tamam means to complete; be clean. vi. Greek katharos means free from impure admixture; without blemish; spotless. vii Greek katharizo means to make clean; to cleanse. This verb signifies, a cleansing from defilement of sin (Acts 15:9; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 9:14; Jas. 4:8).   Therefore, to be clean means to be free from the filthiness and impurity of the flesh and to be without blemish.   Cleansing might be achieved by the physical removal of the object of defilement (2 Chr. 29:16). The holy God demands that His consecrated people be spiritually and morally pure.   Purity is the inward holiness of the heart, while cleanliness is the outward holiness of the flesh. It was to illustrate this concept that God commanded Moses to make the ark of the covenant with gold laid within and over it (Ex. 25:11, 37:11,26; 2 Chr. 3:4). Consider the Bride of Christ. The scriptures say that she has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white - for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God’s holy people) (Rev. 19:8, Amp.). White

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speaks of purity while clean speaks of cleanliness, a holiness of inward and outward beauty.   Let us meditate on a spiritual mystery. I know of a saintly man of God in South India. Once, when he was caught up in the Spirit to heaven, the Lord Jesus took him to a secluded place in heaven, which was perfect in stillness and peace. There seemed to be a snow-covered mountain and it was covered with a marvelous bright light (Ps. 48:1; Dan. 2:22). The Lord Jesus then told him that what he saw was the abode of the Father God (Dan. 7:9). The snow-covered mountains that are found in the Himalayas and elsewhere are just but a parabolic representation of the mountain of holiness in heaven. The snowy whiteness speaks of purity of holiness. In June 1986, I was led by the Holy Spirit to go t o evangelise the Tibetans. To reach this place, I had to walk for four days in the wilderness, surrounded by the Himalayan snowy mountains. I walked on these mountains at an altitude of 15000 feet. While walking, I mused upon the majesty of the snowy mountains. A sense of awe came over me as the realization swept over me concerning the awesomeness of the Almighty God. At midday, when the sun was high, I suddenly found that my skin had turned black in colour. I was shocked. But after coming down to the valley, the colour slowly turned back to its normal colour.   As I was pondering over this phenomena, I perceived in my spirit that when we come before the pure and holy God, the blackness and deceitfulness of our heart is exposed (Jer. 17:9). As we wait on God and abide in His presence, His purity would create in us a clean heart (Ps. 51:10).   36

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I was in Batang, Tibet in August 1995. As I was waiting on God that night, by the immeasurable grace of God, I beheld the similitude of the Lord Jesus in the Spirit (Num. 12:8). During that visitation, the Lord Jesus revealed the following to me: When we keep our heart clean and pure from the lusts of the flesh, we could see the Lord God (Pro. 22:11; Mt. 5:8; Heb. 12:14). As God dwells on a holy mountain, so must the heart be holy. In the Old Testament, when God’s glory presence came down upon Mount Sinai, animals were not permitted to come near or touch the mountain (Ex. 19:12,13; Heb. 12:20). Likewise, when God the Father and the Lord Jesus come and make their abode in our hearts (Jn. 14:23) it is like the glory presence coming down upon Mount Sinai. Just as animals were commanded to be kept away from that holy mountain, so must the heart be cleansed from every contamination, defilement, and uncleanness (2 Cor. 7:1). We could then see the King in His beauty (Isa. 6:5, 33:17).

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Chapter 3

Do We Need Holiness?

LEVITICUS 11:44 44 For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

  Some years ago, workmen were building a bridge across a portion of the New York harbor. While seeking a base for one of the supporting towers, they hit a submerged barge full of stone that had sunk deep into the mud at the bottom of the bay. Divers attached chains to the barge, but no crane was powerful enough to lift it.   When it became what seemed like an impossible task, a special engineer was called in to solve the problem. He ordered two barges to be brought to the spot. Cables were then fastened to them and tightly secured to the sunken barge when the waters were at low tide. As the water rose higher and higher, the two floating barges began to rise with it. Eventually, the submerged boat shook, breaking free of the mud on the harbor floor. It had been released by the power of the Atlantic Ocean!   39

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Likewise, like the special engineer, the Lord Jesus came to rescue us who were submerged in the horrible pit of sin (Ps. 40:2). Like the Atlantic Ocean, God’s matchless love has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and dominion of darkness, and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son (Col. 1:13, Amp.). Having delivered us from and washed us of sin, the Lord Jesus, who is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible] (Col. 1:15a, Amp.), is stretching out His Hand to hold ours and saying, Now, let us walk together in purity and holiness, so that you may walk with me in white and be like Me (2 Cor. 3:18; Rev. 3:4).   Let us examine the scriptures for some of the reasons why we need to live in holiness.   

1. We Are Called And Chosen To Holiness 1 THESSALONIANS 4:7 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

  This is the first reason why we need holiness. It is because we have been called into it. Not only were we called, but also chosen, dedicated, consecrated, and set apart to be a holy people to God (Ex. 19:6; Lev. 20:26; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pe. 2:9).  

2. We Are His Temple   1 CORINTHIANS 3:16,17 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 40

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The word “temple” in the Greek is naos, which means a shrine or sanctuary. The reason why God commanded Moses to build a tabernacle was for Him to dwell among His people (Ex. 25:8). It was a foreshadow of the tabernacle taught in the New Testament, where we learn that our body is the temple of God. It is written very beautifully in 2 Corinthians 6:16, What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people (Amp.). The Bible says that when King Solomon was building the temple, no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built (1 Kg. 6:7). This was because King Solomon had considered the temple to be holy. As God’s presence would be dwelling inside it, he did not allow any dirt to fall to the ground to defile the temple. How much more then should we keep our body, which is the temple of the Living God, pure and clean from every filthiness and defilement?   Some years ago, I was fasting and praying for three days in the Himalayas. On the third day of my fast, while in deep prayer, I fell into a trance (Num. 24:4; Acts 10:10, 22:17). My spiritual eyes were opened and I looked on the inside of my body. It was just like looking down into a microscope at the specimen under examination. What I saw on the inside of my body greatly shocked me and would even baffle anatomical biology. I could not see any of my organs - no heart, no lungs, and no stomach ... nothing. My inside appeared empty and hollow.

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God, as it is written, inhabits eternity (Isa. 57:15). The emptiness inside my body is a type of eternity. I saw the Glory of God shining very brilliantly inside the hollow of my body and even from within the skin. The Shekinah Glory Cloud was enveloping all within me.  This is the spiritual mystery foreshadowed in Genesis 1:2, when the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Does not science tell us that our body consists of 75% of water? As I was pondering over this vision, the Holy Spirit spoke in a still small voice, saying, This is that which is written in the Word that you are the temple of God in whom the Glory of God resides (1 Cor. 6:19; Eph. 2:22). As it is written that holiness adorns the house of God, we need to be holy because we are that house in which God dwells (Ps. 93:5).

3. We Are His Children   JOHN 1:12 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. MATTHEW 5:48 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

  The Bible says that as a child of God, we are seated together with the Lord Jesus Christ in the heavenly places, which is also at the right hand of God (Mk. 16:19; Eph. 2:6; 1 Pe. 3:22). To sit beside the holy and awesome God, we too need to be holy. Furthermore, the scriptures tell us that we have been predestinated and adopted by God to be His children (Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:5). If an evil father would want his children to be good and be better than him, how much 42

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more would a holy God desire His children to be holy like Him.  

4. We Are Members Of His Body   1 CORINTHIANS 12:27 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.   EPHESIANS 5.30 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

  The Bible says that Christ Jesus is the head and we are His body (Eph. 1:22, 4:15; Col. 1:18). How could then the Head, which is holy, have a body that is unholy? It cannot be. It is beautifully written in Romans 11:16, For if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.There was no sin in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Jn. 3:5). As such, we should present our members as slaves of righteousness for holiness (Rom. 6:13,19,22).  

5. We Could See Him   HEBREWS 12:14 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

  In His Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus said that the pure in heart could see God (Mt. 5:8). Every ordinary believer who is washed by the blood of the Lord Jesus and has kept his heart clean and pure can see God.   43

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In 1993, I was invited to minister in the Czech Republic. A certain sister came up to me during the meetings to ask some questions. She said, Brother, I heard from my friend that you have seen Jesus. How many times have you seen Him? To which I replied, Many times, my dear sister. I noticed a certain sadness come on her face and tears welling up in her eyes. I then asked her, Do you like to see Jesus? Her eyes brightened up and she said, Yes! The very next second she again became saddened said, I am not as holy as you are and I don’t think I can see Jesus. I asked her to open her Bible and showed her Matthew 5:8 and Hebrews 12:14. After reading those scriptures, a new hope came upon her and she was brightened. I then told her, You don’t have to be like me. All that is needed is for your heart to be pure and holy. The Lord Jesus would then manifest Himself before you.   The Word of the Lord once came unto me, saying, The desire to manifest Himself to His people is more than the people’s desire to see Him (cp. Jn. 14:21). When we love purity and walk in holiness, the Lord Jesus would become our friend and we could then see Him face to face (Deu. 34:10; Pro. 22:11).  

6. We Are A Royal Priest   1 PETER  2:9 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.

  Every priest who was called to minister unto the Lord should be clean. In the Old Testament, God gave Moses 44

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specific instructions for the cleansing and sanctification of priests (Ex. 40:12-15). Likewise, the New Testament believer-priest should also be clean, pure, and holy, worshiping God in the beauty of holiness by the offering of spiritual sacrifices (Ps. 96:9; Heb. 13:15; 1 Pe. 2:5).

7. Fearsome Second Coming 2 PETER 3:10-12 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? At the second coming, the Lord Jesus’ holiness will burn up all things. If our works and lives are as insubstantial as wood, hay, or straw, they will be burned to ashes. We are therefore exhorted to live a holy life so that instead of being consumed we would be purified further at the brightness of Christ’s coming.

8. We Are The Bride Of Christ REVELATION 19:7-8 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. 45

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8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. The Lord Jesus washed us clean so that He could receive us as His perfect Bride, a glorious and splendorous church without stain or blemish. Since He so desires us, if we love Him, we should strive to be holy and faultless before God (Eph. 5:25-27).

9. We Are Surrounded By A Cloud Of Witnesses HEBREWS 12:1 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin, which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. The Living Bible has aptly translated the clause “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witness” as “we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands.” The word “cloud” in Greek is nephos, which denotes a cloudy, shapeless mass covering the heavens. Metaphorically, it suggests a multitude or a throng. Since the redeemed saints and angels in heaven are all dressed in white (Rev. 6:11, 7:9, 15:6, 19:7,8), a multitude of saints on a grandstand might look like a cloud, wouldn’t it? Heavenly beings are holy. When the prophet Moses approached near the burning bush to see the glory of God, he was commanded to remove his sandals (Ex. 3:5). Likewise, Joshua too was commanded to remove his sandals when he stood before a holy angel (Jos. 5:13). Several years ago, I was ministering one Sunday at a church 46

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in Regina, Saskatchewan, in Canada. After the message, as I was praying for the congregation, an angel with a fiery appearance appeared at the doorway of the church. Looking at me with piercing eyes, he said, Ask everyone to remove their shoes. They are standing on holy ground. After the entire congregation had removed their shoes, the angel came to the front of the church and stood beside me. He then proceeded to give a word for the pastor of the church. When the Lord Jesus Christ was praying on the Mount of Transfiguration, He was visited by two Old Testament saints, namely Moses and Elijah. The Bible says that they appeared in glorious splendor (Lk. 9:31). The Lord Jesus cloaked Himself with dazzling glory light so as to confer with those two holy, glorious saints (Lk. 9:29). Since a multitude of glorious saints and angelic beings are constantly watching us, it is of paramount importance that we live a holy life.

10. We Can Be Partakers Of His Nature   HEBREWS 12:10 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

  Finally, we need to be holy because we are partakers of God’s nature in us. The Bible says Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God (1 Jn. 3:9). The seed mentioned here is the Word of God (1 Pe. 1:23). God’s word is pure and clean (Ps. 19:8, 12:6, 119:140). Furthermore, the scriptures say that every believer who hopes for the coming of the Lord Jesus purifies 47

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himself, even as Christ Jesus is pure (1 Jn. 3:3). Therefore, the “seed” signifies the impartation of the spiritual life of Christ, thereby enabling a believer to partake of His Nature, as a child would drink milk from its mother’s breast.   The Bible says, But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor. 3:18). There are two key words in this scripture. Let us examine them a little deeper, to grasp the spiritual meaning. a) beholding:  The word behold in the Greek is kataptrizo, deriving from kataptron, meaning a mirror (kata “down”, ops “an eye or sight”), which signifies to make to reflect, to mirror -to reflect as a mirror.   b) same image: Is the very image or likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ.   Some years ago, as I was meditating the Word of God and praying, I was allowed to look into heaven in the Spirit (Rev. 4:1). I saw the Lord Jesus standing in front of a full-length mirror. On seeing me, the Lord Jesus invited me to come and stand beside Him. As I did so, I saw the image of the Lord Jesus reflected in the mirror but could not find mine. When we sit on a barber’s chair, we would see our image reflected infinitely from the mirrors facing each other. Likewise I saw my image being one with the Lord Jesus reflected into infinite images. I then understood the meaning of this scripture-that we are being made to conform and be transformed into the image of Christ Jesus from glory to glory (Rom. 8:29).

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11. We Might Save Others JOHN 17:19 19 “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. The Roman governor Pilate testified thus of the Lord Jesus: I find no fault in Him (Jn. 19:4,6). The Lord Jesus lived a pure and holy life when He was in this world (1 Pe. 2:22). He even boldly challenged - “Which of you convicts Me of sin?” (Jn. 8:46). Since the Lord Jesus is the holy God in the flesh, why does He need to sanctify Himself? The primary purpose of the Lord Jesus coming to this world was to offer Himself as the ultimate and supreme sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:5-7). Nevertheless, He was tormented with the fear of death and suffering. He had to endure much abuse and pain on the cross (Mt. 26:38; Mk. 14:33; Heb. 5:7). But the moment He overcame His flesh and surrendered His will to the will of Father, He gained sanctification through the sufferings. By offering Himself without spot to God after willingly enduring great suffering, the Lord Jesus became the perfect sacrifice that sanctified us all (Heb. 10:10). Likewise, the apostle Paul said, I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the Church (Col. 1:24). Why suffering is necessary for the salvation of others is a divine mystery. But suffering makes us holy. Surprised? The Bible says, Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

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that he no longer should live for the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God (1 Pe. 4.1,2). When we have suffered and been tested, we shall come forth as pure gold, so (Job 23:10). According to Scriptures also, countless souls can be turned from the evil clutches of sin through the power of a holy and sanctified life (Job 22:30; Dan. 12:3; Rom. 11:16). These are the reasons why we need to be holy. As the Lord our God is holy, we should be holy and walk in the light as He is in the light and be perfect and worthy of the Lord (Gen. 17:1; Isa. 2:5; 1 Thes. 2:12; 1 Jn. 1:7).

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Chapter 4

Holiness Unto God

1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 (Amp.) 23 And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).   2 CORINTHIANS 7:1 1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

  According to Jewish customs, after a woman had been betrothed to a man, she was then considered totally sanctified and separated unto her bridegroom. The virginity of the bride was her greatest possession. She would spend almost a year in preparation for her wedding, which would include cleansing and purification rituals.   Let us consider a similar pattern in the life of Esther. It is written, Now when the turn of each maiden came to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the regulations for the women had been 51

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carried out for twelve months-since this was the regular period for their beauty treatments, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with sweet spices and perfumes and the things for the purifying of the women (Est. 2:12).   It can be observed from this scripture that the cleansing and purification rituals consisted of two things: i. six months with oil of myrrh for purification   ii. six months with sweet spices and perfumes for cleansing   These natural principles are but a foreshadow of spiritual principles. When the apostle Paul wrote his epistle to the Thessalonian believers, he wrote, may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless (holy). Later, when writing to the Corinthian believers, he further categorized the trichotomy of man into two parts and said, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.   Just as Esther purified and cleansed herself to appear before King Ahasuerus, let us now examine these two kinds of filthiness from which we need to cleanse and purify ourselves to be holy unto the King of Kings.  

1. Filthiness of the Flesh   JUDE 1:7,8 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 52

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8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 2 PETER 2:10 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries.

  Let us examine the words “filthiness” and “flesh” in the Greek language to get a broader understanding. a. Filthiness/Filthy   i. Greek, aischrotes means baseness (from “aischos,” meaning shame, disgrace), is used in Ephesians 5:4, of obscenity, all that is contrary to purity. Aischrotes signifies whatever is disgraceful.   ii. Greek, rhuparia means dirt, filth. This word is used metaphorically of moral defilement as in James 1:21. Rhuparia signifies moral impurity.   iii. Greek, molusmos means a soiling, defilement. This word is used in 2 Corinthians 7:1. Molusmos signifies that which is defiling by soiling the clean.   iv. Greek, aselgeia means wantonness, licentiousness, lasciviousness. Aselgeia signifies that which is an insolent disregard to decency.  

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b. Flesh   The Greek word sarx for the word flesh has the following meanings:   i. the substance of the body (1 Cor. 15:39) ii. the weaker element in human nature (Mt. 26:41; Rom. 6:19). iii. the unregenerate state of men (Rom. 7:5, 8:8) iv. the seat of sin in man (2 Pe. 2:18; 1 Jn. 2:16) v. the lower and temporary element in the Christian (Gal. 3:3, 6:8)   Therefore, the term filthiness of the flesh can be defined as the defilement of the baser passions in the Christian, resulting in moral impurity.   Once, a certain believer came to me for prayer. He requested prayer for a certain matter. As I began praying for this brother, in the Spirit, I saw him wearing a garment, which was filthy and moth-eaten (Jas. 5:2; Jude 23). The Holy Spirit then revealed to me that the root cause of his problem is the filthiness of the flesh, which had defiled him. What causes the filthiness of the flesh? It is the WORKS OF THE FLESH.   GALATIANS 5:19-21 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,

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20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In these three scriptures, the apostle Paul listed seventeen kinds of the works of the flesh. He concluded by warning that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Why is it so? It is written in Revelation 19:8, And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. The Bride of Christ is one who is dressed in a clean and white dress. We could not sit beside the Bridegroom at the marriage supper of the Lamb in a defiled and soiled garment. It is our solemn responsibility to guard the garments of salvation and robe of righteousness, which we received when we were born-again from every defilement, indecency, and filthiness (Isa. 61:10; Jude 23; Rev. 16:15). The commercial world has produced all kinds of powerful detergents to keep our bodies and clothes clean. We purchase them and give great attention to the cleansing of our bodies and clothes. How is it then that we have failed or overlooked to cleanse ourselves from the filthiness of the flesh?   In the many visitations which I had of looking into heaven or being in heaven by the multitude of God’s matchless mercy, I noticed that the saints in heaven were generally dressed in white (Rev. 3:5, 4:4, 6:11). Once I saw in a vision the prophet Enoch. Not only was his garment 55

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glistering in brilliant white, but his face too was shining gloriously bright. I came to understand that it was because of his close walk with God that he appeared so glorious. As we develop and cultivate an intimate loving relationship with the Lord Jesus, His holiness which was imparted into us by His blood of redemption would sanctify and cause us to walk with Him in white (Rev. 3:4, 7:14).

Manifestations of the Works of the Flesh   It is expedient for us to know in practical reality how the works of the flesh manifest so that we could imperatively cleanse ourselves from its contamination and defilement.  

1. Hands   PSALMS 24:3,4 3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His Holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.

  In these scriptures, hands speak of works. Why must the works of our hands be clean from filthiness? Because the works of the hands of God are true and pure (Ps. 111:7), when we lift up our hands to pray and bless God, they too should be pure and clean (Ps. 141:2; 1 Tim. 2:8). When we lift up our hands to God, how does He see our hands? I was once invited to preach in a Charismatic Church in Singapore. During the time of ministry, the Holy Spirit told me to call out a couple. Fastening my spiritual eyes on the 56

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brother, the Holy Spirit enabled me to see in the Spirit his hands fully covered with blood (Isa. 1:15). The Holy Spirit then revealed to me that his hands appear covered with blood because of the filthy works of the flesh. Consider an incident in the life of King David. King David had a desire to build a house for God but God told him, You have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house to My Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight (1 Chr. 22:8, Amp.). Though David was a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22), he could not build nor stand in the holy place of God because his hands had shed much blood and thus had become unclean.   Consider the life of the Lord Jesus. He used His hands to heal the sick (Lk. 4:40), bless children (Mk. 10:13,16), and went about doing good (Acts 10:38). Let us therefore cleanse our hands of every unrighteous works, that God may recompense not according to the uncleanliness of our hands in His holy sight (Ps. 18:24; Jas. 4:8).  

2. Speech  

 

2 TIMOTHY 2:16 (Amp.) 16 But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.   1 TIMOTHY 4:7 (Amp.) 7 But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers’ tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them.  Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit]. 57

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Let us examine a few key words in these two scriptures in their original language. In the King James Version, the words “profane,” “vain babblings,” “old wives’ fables,” and “ungodliness” are used in contrast to the scriptures quoted above in the New King James Version.   i. “Profane” in Greek is bebelos, meaning permitted to be trodden, accessible : unhallowed. “Bebelos” is that which lacks all relationship or affinity to God.   ii. “Vain babblings” in Greek is kenophonia (from “kenos,” meaning “empty” and “phone,” meaning a sound, signifying “empty discussion, discussion on useless subjects.”   iii. “Fables” in Greek is muthos, signifying speech, conversation. It is used of a story or an account in which there is a falsification of facts.   iv. “Ungodliness” in Greek is asebeia, meaning impiety (irreverence), ungodliness.   When God created man in His own image and likeness (Gen. 1:27), one of the abilities which God blessed man with was speech. Adam certainly would never have been able to exercise “complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth” (Gen. 1:26, Amp.) without the ability to speak forth. This commanding authority was very evident in the ministry of the Lord Jesus (Mk. 4:39; Jn. 6:19).   It is written that, He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin (Pro. 13:3, 58

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Amp.). Indulging in the conversation of worldly affairs, engaging in vain, useless, and idle talks, is not only a great hindrance to our spiritual life but it also defiles us (Pro. 10:19). There are two kinds of spiritual effects by the words we speak: holy and unholy, which promote life or death (Pro. 18:21). There is a certain group of cranes living in the Taurus mountains of southern Turkey. These cranes cackle a lot while flying. All that noise attracts the attention of the hungry eagles, who only too gladly would swoop down to seize them for their meal. Likewise are we defiled with filthiness by the spirits in this world when we indulge in worldly jesting, grandmothers’ tales, and useless conversations.   Have you ever heard of the phrase “spirit-filled murmurings and anointed back-biting?” I am sure you have not heard of them. Gossips are not openly exposed as such but are piously and reverently camouflaged as SHARING.  When worldly people talk about one another, Christians classify that as gossiping. When worldly people talk ill of and criticize others behind their backs, Christians classify that as murmuring and back-biting. When Christians gossip, murmur, and back-bite against one another, pastors, ministers and believers classify that as sharing (Jn. 6:43; Gal. 5:15; 1 Cor. 10:10; 2 Cor. 12:20; Jas. 5:9).   Let us therefore be watchful and careful of what we speak because, on the judgement day, we would have to give an account for every idle word, which we speak (Mt. 12:36,37).   59

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3. Body   1 CORINTHIANS 6:13-18 (Amp.) 13 Food [is intended] for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end [the functions of] both and bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but [is intended] for the Lord, and the Lord [is intended] for the body [to save, sanctify, and raise it again]. 14 And God both raised the Lord to life and will also raise us up by His power. 15 Do you not see and know that your bodies are members (bodily parts) of Christ (the Messiah)? Am I therefore to take the parts of Christ and make [them] parts of a prostitute? Never! Never! 16 Or do you not know and realize that when a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? The two, it is written, shall become one flesh. [Gen. 2:24] 17 But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. 18 Shun immorality and all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed].  Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Four of the seventeen works of the flesh are filthy sins against our bodies.  They are:   1. adultery, sexual relations between married people but not with their own spouses.   2. fornication, sexual relations between unmarried people.   60

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3. uncleanness, sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality (sexual relations between man and animals).   4. lasciviousness, that which incites or evokes lustfulness.   God had explicitly commanded in Leviticus 20:10-21 that His people should abstain from these kinds of uncleanness because we have been betrothed to the Lord Jesus during our born-again experience (Hos. 2:19,20; 2 Cor. 11:2).  The apostle Paul had written very clearly the will of God on this matter: This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honour (1 Thes. 4:3,4). The phrase “possess his own vessel” in Greek is to heautou skeuos ktasthai, which signifies control his own body. This concept suggests that we have to guard our body as a young woman would guard her virginity or as a married woman would guard her chastity and honour.   In the forests of Northern Europe and Asia lives a small animal called the ermine, known for its snow white fur in winter. The ermine protects its precious white coat against anything that would spoil it. Fur hunters take advantage of this unusual trait or rather weakness of the ermine. They would find the ermine’s home, which is usually a cleft in a rock or a hollow in an old tree. They would smear the entrance and interior with grime. Then the hunters set their dogs loose to find and chase the ermine. The frightened animal flees toward home but does not enter because of the filth. Rather than soil its fur, it is trapped and captured while preserving its purity. For the ermine, purity is more precious than life. 61

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What a profound lesson from nature! This is what is required of all believers – to keep themselves separated from the filth of this world at all cost! Consider an act of the Lord Jesus. It is written, Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, ‘Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!’ “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of thieves.’ (Mt. 21:13; Jn. 2:13-16). Why did the Lord Jesus behave like that?   There are several records in the Old Testament describing how when the temple was sanctified and dedicated to God, the Shekinah Glory Cloud of God came to fill the temple (Ex. 40:1-38; 1 Kg. 8:1-66). These are the types and shadows of how our bodies are being filled with the presence of God in the New Covenant (Eph. 2:21,22). It was for this reason that the Lord Jesus cast out those who defiled the temple, illustrating to us spiritually that we should not allow defilement and filthiness to reside within our body.   The Bible very clearly and simply teaches that our body is the temple of God in which the Lord Jesus resides (1 Cor. 3:16, Col. 1:27) and, as such, one should know how to possess (control, manage) his own body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honour because God has not called us to impurity but to consecration 62

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[to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity] (1 Thes. 4:4,7 Amp.).

2. Filthiness of the Spirit   Since we have analyzed the word “filthiness” in our previous study, let us examine the word “spirit” in its original language and proper context.   The word “spirit” in Greek is, pneuma, which primarily denotes the wind. It is also used for (i) human spirit (the immaterial, invisible part of man); (ii) soul (the sentient element in man, that by which he perceives reflects, feels, desires). How could, the human spirit which was made new, purified, sanctified, and justified still sin and be defiled? To answer this puzzling question, let us consider these scriptures.   EPHESIANS 4:22-24 (Amp.) 22 Strip yourself of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; 23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], 24 And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, (Godlike) in true righteousness and holiness.   We could observe from these three scriptures that verse 22 deals with the body, verse 23 deals with the mind (soul), and verse 24 deals with the spirit. Putting on the new nature which was created in true righteousness and holiness is the resultant effect of the renewal of the 63

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mind. The mind imagines sin, the heart conceives it (causing filthiness of the spirit), and the body carries it out (causing the filthiness of the flesh).   The spirit and the mind are very closely related to one another. Furthermore, the mind is the doorway to the spirit. Let us consider one of the Lord Jesus’ teachings: But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Mt. 5:28). The word “look” in Greek is “blepo,” meaning to have sight, observe, discern: implying special contemplation and the word “heart” in Greek is kardia, meaning thoughts of feelings (mind-soul).  It was not just a mere look that the Lord Jesus said was wrong but more than that –a contemplated, meditated look that causes the mind to imagine all manner of lustful feelings in the soul. This then causes the spirit to be filthy. There was once a young boy whose favorite pastime was hunting frogs along the banks of a pond near his house. He was unaware though of frogs’ unique visual powers that enabled them to elude their captors so easily. Later he learned that the frog’s optical field is like a blackboard wiped clean, and that the only images it receives are objects that directly concern it. These little amphibians are never distracted by unimportant things, but are aware only of essentials and whatever may be dangerous to them. Many saints mentioned in the Bible realizing the danger that can result from what they looked at, have constantly sought to keep their eyes focused on that which is noble only (Job 31:1; Ps. 119:37).

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Let us consider another example from the teachings of the Lord Jesus.   MARK 7:20-23 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 “thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 “All these evil things come from within and defile man.”  This is how the spirit is defiled and becomes filthy. To be more specific, it is in the soulish part of the person that the spirit is defiled. As much as the body is defiled in the fleshy arena, so is the spirit defiled in the soulish arena. This interlink is a spiritual mystery. Some years ago, I was very puzzled by the concept of the spirit and soul. I could understand easily that the spirit of man is the real person in our body, but I could not comprehend fully about the soul; whether it has an individual form as the spirit.   So I sought the Lord for an answer. As I was waiting on God after spending a few hours in prayer concerning this matter, I felt my spirit come out of my body (Ezek. 8:3; Col. 2:5; Rev. 4:2). Being in the Spirit, I turned back to see my body, still bowed and knelt in prayer. Our spirit looks exactly like our body in all its features (1 Cor. 15:44). At that moment, I perceived very clearly what the Lord was teaching me. Just as the brain, an independent organ, resides within the body, likewise the soul, an independent entity, resides within the spirit as the seat of feelings, emotions, desires, and passions.   65  

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Two Areas Of Soulish Defilement There are two areas in the soul through which the spirit is defiled.  

1. Mind   JEREMIAH 4:14 14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you? One of the main reasons why God sent a flood to destroy the world during Noah’s time was because of the wicked imaginations of man’s mind (Gen. 6:5). The mind is like a field where good or evil seeds could be planted. Before we are born again, our mind had been trained, fashioned and fed with the seeds of this world of sin. At the New Birth experience, it is our spirit that becomes recreated anew and not the soul-mind. Thus, we have a solemn responsibility to renew our mind so that it can be sanctified from the corruption and deceitful lusts of the world (Eph. 4:22,23). This truth is very beautifully written in Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Just as a caterpillar undergoes a change into a pupa before transforming into a beautiful butterfly, likewise our mind needs to be constantly renewed and transformed until the mind of Christ reigns in it (Phil. 2:5). Then only would our thoughts be in line with the thoughts of God (Isa. 55:7-9).   66

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2. Feelings   Feelings in the soul would encompass emotions, desires, passions, affections, etc.   GALATIANS 5:24 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.   COLOSSIANS 3:5 5 Therefore put to death your members, which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry.   Feelings are the other part of the soul that need constant sanctification. The apostle Paul writes that there is an ongoing struggle between the desires of the flesh and the Spirit (Gal. 5:17). Feelings are not sinful. God too has feelings. But just as much as God is not controlled or ruled by feelings, emotions or passion, we need to learn to bring our feelings under subjection to the control of the Holy Spirit, so that we could walk in newness of life in the Spirit (Rom. 6:4; Gal. 5:24).   There are different kinds of rivers in this world. About 10 years ago, I went to Mustang in Nepal to evangelize the Tibetans living there. In some places, the rivers looked very calm and peaceful and could be easily traversed. In other places, the raging rivers were so fierce, they looked as if they would tear apart anyone who came into their paths. It was totally impossible to traverse such rivers so we had to walk along the trails on the river banks.

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Likewise are our emotions and feelings. Feelings that are unsanctified consist of jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, envy, pride, lust and covetousness (Mk. 7:22; Gal. 5:20,21; Col. 3:8). These are as destructive as the raging rivers. But look at the sanctified emotions-tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness and love (Col. 3:12,13). These are like the peaceful river, flowing out of our heart in all purity, peaceableness and gentleness (Jas. 3:17).  

Union of Flesh and Spirit

  Having examined the distinctiveness between the filthiness of the flesh and spirit, let us now consider their workings in union and partnership. Let us consider the following. 1. Adultery and fornication are physical sexual acts outside the boundaries of the sanctity of the marriage union. Beyond the physical act, it is the expression or actualization of mental fantasies.   2. Uncleanness, the physical acts of homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality and the likes are physical acts; again they are the resultant works of unclean thoughts.   3. Consider an incident in the life of King David as recorded in 2 Samuel 11:1-4. Verse 2 says, Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold! The word, “saw” in Hebrew in raah, meaning to see, enjoy, gaze. The word implies to enjoy the gaze. The word “behold” in the KJV is look 68

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and in Hebrew is mareh, meaning a view. This word implies a view of physical appearance. King David, to be sure, did not just look casually or accidentally at Bathsheba. Instead he enjoyed the view of gazing at her physical appearance. Verse 4 says that King David committed adultery with her. King David had already committed adultery with her in his mind and heart when he meditated and contemplated of her naked beauty. The physical act was the resultant defilement of a filthy spirit. Once, a certain servant of God in India was sitting and meditating on a rock. He noticed a small little bird hopping forward in a certain direction. Curiosity led him to bow down to observe the bird. At a distance was a beautiful snake lying motionless. This little bird, not realizing what it was but enchanted by the snake’s physical beauty, kept on hopping nearer towards the snake. When the snake knew that the bird had reached within striking range and it could not escape, it struck out and swallowed the little bird. Likewise is the sin of filthiness and defilement. Filthiness seeks to entice our flesh and spirit through the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16). We must learn to guard our hearts with all diligence and vigilance (Pro. 4:23).   The Jews practise a tradition of casting out the leaven during the Passover. This ceremony involves the symbolic removal of the leaven from the house. The husband would take a candle, a linen cloth, a white feather, a wooden spoon and enter his home to seek out and remove ten pieces of leaven of corruption placed by his wife. Firstly, the leaven was brushed into the wooden spoon with 69

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the feather. Secondly, the leaven was placed on the linen cloth and wrapped. Finally, it was brought to the Temple and burned in a special ceremonial fire.   The leaven of the Passover typifies sins of filthiness, defilement and corruption. Not only must we cleanse our flesh and spirit of these uncleanness but also thoroughly purge them through the purifying fires of the Holy Spirit (Mal. 3:3). In July 1994, I went to Tsaparang in Western Tibet to evangelize the Tibetans living there. One afternoon, I was invited to have tea with some Tibetans. As I entered their tent, they courteously beckoned me to sit down and placed a cup on a small stool in front of me. Noticing that the cup was dirty, I asked my host to clean it. They looked around searching for something, then found a dirty and filthy kitchen rag and used it to wipe clean the cup. Into it they then poured hot Tibetan butter tea, offering it to me with great love. Though I received the cup with a smile of thanks on my face, in my heart, I was thinking of how I was going to drink the dirt-mixed tea. Remembering what the Lord Jesus said that what goes in from outside does not defile the body, I offered a word of thanksgiving to God. Nonetheless, I pondered deeply over why the Lord Jesus had said, whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him. What comes out of a man, that defiles a man (Mk. 7:18-20).   The Holy Spirit then brought illumination to my understanding, revealing that from the throne of God flows a river of life for the healing of the nations (Rev. 22:1,2). This river is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. The 70

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apostle John sees the river as coming forth from the midst of the throne of God and the Lamb. When we accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior, God’s presence comes into our heart, transforming it into a throne for Christ Jesus to reign. From that throne in the heart, the Holy Spirit flows out like rivers of living waters (Jn. 7:38,39).   The river that flows from the throne of God appears sparkling clear like crystal. Likewise, the river that flows out of our heart should not be soiled or muddied through the uncleanness and filthiness of the spirit and the flesh. When the heart is clean and pure, the rivers of living waters that flow out of our heart would be crystal clear. Since they flow from the throne where the Lamb of God reigns, they would carry the image of God and Christ Jesus (Jn. 10:30, 14:9). The believer who is pure would then be able to see God (Mt. 5:8). This is the reason why we need to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts (1 Pe. 3:15).   Therefore, the flesh and spirit could be cleansed from filthiness by the separation of the spirit from everything impure and corrupt and by the renunciation of sins towards which the flesh craves.

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Chapter 5

The Essence of Holiness

1 TIMOTHY 6:11 (Amp.) 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart.   COLOSSIANS 3:12 (Amp.) 12 Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].   Having fled from all those things that could defile our spirit and flesh, we are now admonished to pursue after godliness, which is the essence of holiness.   The word “godliness” in Greek is eusebeia, derived from eu, meaning well and sebomai, meaning to be devout, which denotes that piety which is characterized by a Godward attitude, 73

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does that which is well-pleasing to God. Eusebeia simply means a devout and godly attitude in all reverence. There are two virtues that characterize a godly and Christlike attitude which gives essence to holiness.  

1. Meekness   MATTHEW 5:5 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

  The word “meek” in Greek is praos. meaning gentle, mild, meek. It is an inwrought grace of the soul before the holiness of God. Meekness is closely linked with humility and self-control. Meekness does not assert itself nor seeks its own interest nor is elated or cast down, because self has no place in it.   Consider the life of the prophet Moses. The Bible says that, Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all men who were on the face of the earth (Num. 12:3). As we purpose in our heart to live holy, the Holy Spirit would then begin transforming us into the image of Christ and the resultant virtue of that work of glory is meekness. The inner glory, characterized by an attitude and walk of meekness, is outwardly manifested as glory-light. The Bible says that the face of Moses shone as he spoke with God (Ex. 34:29,30,35).   When we bring a candle very near to a fire, little by little the wax in the candle begins to melt. Likewise, the closer we live with God and pursue after holiness, the fires of God would begin to consume our flesh. When wax is melted, it becomes crystal clear liquid, thereby reflecting 74

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the brightness of the fire; likewise, the resultant residue of the burning of our flesh is meekness. This virtue would cause God’s face to shine upon us (Num. 6:25).  

2. Humility   TITUS 3:2 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing humility to all men.

  The word, “humble” in Greek is tapeinoo, meaning to make low and “humility” is tapeinophrosune, meaning lowliness of mind. In the Hebrew language, “humble” is kana, meaning to be humble, to humble, subdue. The other Hebrew word for “humble” is sapel, meaning to be low, become low, be abased. Humility is the opposite virtue of pride.   The Bible very clearly teaches us that, because of his pride, Lucifer, the anointed cherub, fell from his exalted place of glory, having lost the grace of God (Isa. 14:12-14). How do we know that? Let us examine Lucifer’s declaration of pride.   1. I will ascend to heaven.   2. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.   3. I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north.   4. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.   5. I will make myself as the Most High.   75

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Five times Lucifer declared “I will.” Five speaks of grace in the Bible. Lucifer reached the end of the fullness of grace before he was cast out of heaven. In expounding one of the mysteries of nature God questioned Job as: From where comes the ice? And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth (Job 38:29). Ice and frost are one of the beauty queens of nature. When the sun rises upon them their stunning beauty is indescribable, and their destructive power undeniable. Ice glistens like crystal against a brilliant blue sky. But the ice that made the branches of a tree sparkle in the sunlight also weighs them down to break under the burden. This applies to those who are adorned with pride. They call attention to themselves with stunning beauty, talent or intelligence. But eventually the weight of pride will cause them to crack and break. Such was the plight of Lucifer. It will be the fate of all who will choose the path of pride. When the Lord Jesus came into this world as the second Adam to restore what the first Adam had lost (1 Cor. 15:45-47), the Lord Jesus, in order to regain the fullness of grace of exaltation for man and to demonstrate the virtue of godliness, lowed Himself sevenfold. Let us examine this virtue in Philippians 2:6-8:   1. Being God Himself, He did not consider this equality with God was a thing to be retained.   2. Stripped Himself of rightful dignity and reputation.   3. Assumed the guise of a servant (slave).   76

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4. He became like man (Ps. 8:5).   5. Appeared in human form and lived like man.   6. He abased and humbled Himself.   7. Became obedient to the point of death.   Seven speaks of perfection in the Bible. Thus the Lord Jesus humbled Himself to perfection, receiving for us the fullness of God’s grace. Humility and meekness are the twin virtues personified in the life of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus said, Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle (meek) and lowly (humble) in heart (Matt. 11:29).   The word “yoke” in Greek is zugos, meaning a yoke: serving to couple two things together. In putting a yoke on two cows to plough fields, farmers would always yoke an inexperienced cow to an experienced cow which had mastered the art of ploughing. While on a forty-day fast in 1986, I saw the heavens opened (Ezek. 1:1). I beheld the Lord Jesus in resplendent glory. The Lord Jesus said, Humility should be the foundation in a Christian’s life. I said in My Word to take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. What is that yoke? It is humility. When a person takes the yoke upon himself, he puts on humility and becomes like Me.   I know of a very saintly prophet of God in South India who walks closely with God. He once shared a parable on humility, which the Lord taught him. In a vision, he saw a beautiful big tree in a big land. The Lord Jesus then told him, In order for a tree to be planted or seeds to be sown, there must be a land. A tree or seeds are useless without the land. The land signifies humility, the tree signifies Me, while the branches 77

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signify the believers. Only by being attached to the tree would the branches be able to bring forth fruit.   The branch that is joined to the tree is like the inexperienced cow being yoked with the experienced cow. As the inexperienced cow would learn and inherit skills from the experienced cow it was yoked with, by abiding in Christ Jesus and putting on humility, we could bring forth much fruit of godliness that characterized the life of the Lord Jesus (Jn. 15:5). Once, a Sunday school teacher read Matthew 11:30 to the children in her class. She then asked: Jesus said, ‘My yoke is easy.’ Now who can tell me what a yoke is? A boy raised his hand and replied, A yoke is something they put on the necks of animals so they can help each other. Then the teacher asked, What is the yoke Jesus puts on us? A little girl quietly answered, It is God putting His arm around us. The Lord Jesus puts His arm around the person who walks meekly before Him and invites such a person into the holies of heaven. Several years ago while waiting on God one day, I was caught up in the Spirit and saw myself in heaven. I felt abashed at my unworthiness. Here I was, on holy ground, surrounded by the splendors of heaven. As I mulled over my unworthiness, I felt a hand come around my shoulders. I turned. It was the Lord Jesus. Tenderly, He assured, My grace has made you worthy. Let us go boldly to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). There is another beautiful illustration on meekness and humility in the Gospel of Matthew.  

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MATTHEW 21:2-9 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 “And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ 6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:   “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest”

The Lord Jesus rode on a donkey with its colt into Jerusalem. The donkey and colt spiritually speak of humility and meekness. As the Lord Jesus sat on the donkey, so will the Lord be enthroned on the person who has put on humility and meekness. Just as the Lord Jesus sat on the donkey to enter into Jerusalem, so will the person who has put on humility and meekness - the qualities found in children - enter into the heavenly Jerusalem - kingdom of heaven (Mt. 18:3; Lk.18:17).   79

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Attar of Rose, a fragrant oil, is one of the most valuable products of Bulgaria and is heavily taxed for export. Once, a tourist unwilling to pay the duty sought to evade customs by concealing two vials of the precious ointment in his suitcase. Unfortunately a little of the aromatic oil leaked. By the time he reached the train station, the aroma was emanating from the luggage, announcing the presence of the hidden treasure. The authorities promptly confiscated the costly souvenir. The scent of holiness in the life of a believer who walks in meekness and humility before God cannot be hidden. A sacred aroma will pierce into heaven, drawing the visitation of angels and heavenly beings. All angelic beings in heaven are adorned in meekness and humility, the very hallmark of Christlikeness. Humility and meekness are the foundation pillars and cornerstones in heaven. That is why everyone who walks in heaven is characterized by it. The two armrests on the throne of Christ Jesus are symbols of meekness and humility. The Lord Jesus also said this of Himself, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29). A believer who aspires to abide in heaven must walk in meekness and humility before God and man. A scent of holiness will arise from his life, causing his face to shine like a sun before the God of glory. Once in a vision, I saw the Lord Jesus standing in a beautiful garden. He then said, For a tree to be planted in a garden or for seeds to be sown in a field, there must be land. A tree or seeds are useless without land. Land is the basic foundation in which a tree is rooted and from which it grows upwards.   80

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The ground symbolises humility. The tree has a twofold representation: the Lord Jesus and the believer. The basic foundation in the life of the Lord Jesus was humility  (Mt. 11:29; Phil. 2:6-8). Because He was rooted firmly in humility, He was able to grow tall and full of grace, and was eventually lifted up and above all (Phil. 2:9-11). Likewise, when we humble ourselves and walk in humility and meekness, God would cause us to be great in the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 18:4). The word of the Lord came unto me saying, Humility should be the foundation in a Christian’s life. I said in My Word to take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. What is yoke? It is humility. When a person takes the yoke upon himself, he puts on humility and becomes like Me.

Doorway To Holiness I was in deep meditation waiting on the Lord one morning. Instantly, I was in the Spirit and found myself standing with the Lord Jesus before a huge golden door. The door was very artistically and majestically carved. Looking at me with an inviting look, the Lord Jesus gently pushed open the door. The door opened to the wonders, splendour, majesty and glories of heaven. The Shekinah glory cloud was all over the place. As I stood before the opened door mesmerized by the awesome beauty, the Lord Jesus spoke not by words but by imparting His thoughts upon my understanding: Humility is the door through which you must enter to be adorned in holiness. You can only find Me in all holiness if you choose to walk in 81

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humility. For I am meek and lowly in heart. Only the poor in Spirit will inherit the kingdom of heaven. The whole of that day I pondered much upon that vision. HUMILITY PRECEDES HOLINESS. Not A grand display of austerity or spirituality boasting a life of holiness. But a meekful and lowly heart-spirit, attitude. An attitude that seeks to continually crucify pride in all its forms: - self, recognition, good name, boastings, puff-upness, high mindedness etc. Humility is the supreme characteristic of the Christian life. It is the epitome of our walk with God. The Lord Jesus personified humility in His life from the manger to the cross (Phil. 2:6-8). Sadly, almost all Christians are devoid of humility in their lives. Strangely but definitely, they are either ignorant or defiant, but choose to walk in pride and arrogance. How could we then inherit the kingdom of heaven? We should learn to transform our hearts into a house of prayer. In prayer we bow and kneel down – meekness and lowliness. When the sacrifices of a broken spirit and contrite heart are offered to God, the Lord God will come to abide in your heart – the throne of His holiness (Ps. 51:17; Isa. 57:15). Let us seek to enter heaven through the door of humility that we may be adorned in holiness.

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GALATIANS 5:22,23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.

  A water fountain is a dispenser that provides a constant public supply of drinking water. The Lord Jesus said that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, out of our innermost shall flow rivers of living waters. These waters would quench us of every kind of spiritual thirst (Jn. 7:37-38). Let us meditate a little deeper. It is written that from the midst of the throne of God and the Lamb, a pure river of life flows out (Rev. 22:1). When the Lord Jesus was hanging on the cross of crucifixion, a Roman soldier pierced Him with a sword. Immediately blood and water came flowing out (Jn. 19:34).   Just as a river flows out from the midst of the throne of God, likewise, from the bosom of the Lord Jesus water flowed out. This is what happens in the life of a believer. When the Lord Jesus comes and sits on the throne of one’s heart, from the midst of that throne will flow out rivers of living waters. 83

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Just as water flows out from a water fountain, water flows out of the Lord Jesus, the fountain of living waters (Ps. 36:9; Jer. 2:13, 17:13). These living waters carry the life of Christ in them. The word “life” in Greek is zoe, which signifies of life as God has it, that which the Father has in Himself, and which He gave to the Incarnate Son to have in Himself. This life of Christ is His holiness. As a fountain of Christ Jesus’ living waters, holiness will flow out of our hearts, manifesting tangibly as the fruit of the Spirit.   What is a fruit? A fruit, according to science, is the ripened ovary of a flowering plant. The word “fruit” in Greek is karpos, meaning fruit produced by the inherent energy of a living organism. It suggests the visible expression of power working inwardly and invisibly, the character of the ‘fruit’ being evidenced of the character of the power producing it.   The fruit of the Spirit can therefore be defined as the outward manifestation of holiness in conduct and character, which evidenced the living waters of the indwelling Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is the outworking of the character and conduct of Christ being formed in the life of a believer.   Science tells us that there are two categories of fruits: true fruits and false fruits. Some fruits are partly derived from the flower components other than the ovary and are therefore called false fruits, such as bananas, apples and pears. There are the edible portions in the fleshy exterior and there is the true fruit that forms the core.  The true fruit is found in the core, which enables the full development of the fruit.   Likewise, there are two kinds of fruit-bearing Christians. The false fruit Christians have produced fruits that are of 84

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good Christian works, but who have not allowed the Christ life to flow in their lives to produce godliness. Truefruit Christians produce fruits, which have sprung forth from the innermost core, which have allowed the rivers of living waters to erode off the old life so that the image of Christlikeness could be manifested.   In a vision, I saw a tree surrounded with twigs and weeds growing in a wild garden. The ground and soil were filthy and the tree was left uncared for. A Hand came from above and plucked up the tree from the ground. Its roots were then cleansed of every filth and dirt. After this, the tree was planted in a good ground by a river flowing full with water. Nourished by the water, the tree began to bring forth good fruits. Likewise, the Lord had taken us from the world, cleansed us of every defilement of sin, and translated us into His kingdom (Col. 1:13). Only by remaining in Christ Jesus and allowing His life to flow in us could we bear good fruit.    

Fruit Of The Spirit If we were to examine an orange fruit, we would note that it is round or ovular and is covered by a thick leathery peel. When an orange is peeled, we will find inside it 9 to 16 segments of juicy segments. Likewise is the fruit of the Spirit. It is not many fruits but a singular fruit with its many segments, which are offshoots of the seed of Christ in us. As we continue to allow the Holy Spirit to peel off the works of the flesh from our lives, then, one by one, the nine “segments” of the fruit of the Spirit would be manifesting in our lives.   85

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1. Love   1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not Parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails.  But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

  The word “love” in Greek is agape, meaning love in the sense of affection or benevolence. It suggests a love not just in words or emotion but a practical demonstration of that affection. This kind of love can be known only from the actions it prompts. The greatest demonstration of love was seen in God sending His Son, the Lord Jesus, into this world (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:9,10).   The fruit of love that is demonstrated towards others would not be motivated by feelings. Neither would it spend itself upon those whom it favors.  Most Christians do not demonstrate love but like. “Liking” is based on emotions and feelings. When we like someone, we do all kinds of good things and shower favors on them. But when we dislike a person, we make a 180 degree turn in our affections for them and cease from doing any kind of good favor to them. Love, on the other hand, is not motivated by feelings or emotions.   86

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I know of a servant of God who was very affectionately loved by a certain group of believers in a foreign land. When these believers liked this man of God, they showered upon him great degrees of affection, even to the extent of treating him as a member of their family. A short time later, a small misunderstanding came between them because of a miscommunication. Immediately, all expressions of affection ceased and an icy cold attitude was thrown at that servant of God. One night, as this man of God was in prayer, an angel of God appeared to him and said, God wants you to walk in love and demonstrate what the fruit of the Spirit is. Be not like them, but be an example of Christ’s love in you.   When light - a unified, colorless substance - passes through a prism, it is broken up into seven colors. Likewise, love-a fruit of the Spirit-manifests itself in seven ways when it is exercised.   1 Love endures long and is patient and kind. 2 Love is never envious nor boils over with jealousy. 3 Love is not boastful or vainglorious and neither does it display itself haughtily. 4 Love is not conceited, arrogant nor inflated with pride. It is not unmannerly rude nor insists its rights. It is not touchy or resentful and neither does it take into account the evil done to it. 5 Love does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 6 Love bears and endures everything.  It always believes the best of every person and is hopeful. 7 Love never fails not fade out nor come to an end.  

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Love is the fountain out of which flows the other virtues of the fruit of the Spirit.   1 Joy is love, exultant above circumstances. 2 Peace is love, reposing. 3 Long-suffering is love, untiring. 4 Gentleness is love, enduring. 5 Goodness is love, in holy action. 6 Faith is love, faithfully serving. 7 Meekness is love, under chastisement. 8 Self-control is love, under self-discipline.   There was once a 15 year old teenager who gave away his heart. His girlfriend had become critically ill and needed a heart transplant. One day he told his mother, quite unexplainably, I’m going to die, and I’m going to give my heart to my girlfriend. He died suddenly three weeks later when a blood vessel ruptured in his brain. Doctors then took his heart and gave it to his girlfriend, saving her life.   This is the demonstration of love in action. Let us learn and endeavor to walk in love, allowing the God love in us to flow out like a fountain (Eph. 5:2; 1 Jn. 4:12,13,16,17).   2. Joy   1 PETER 1:8 8 Whom having not seen you love.  Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.   88

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The word “joy” in Greek is chara, meaning, cheerfulness, i.e., calm delight; gladness. This joy is not the type of the agalliasis joy, which is exuberant joy; neither is it the kauchaomai joy, which is to boast, glory, exult. Rather, it is a rejoicing that springs forth from the innermost of the heart. It is attended by gladness, evidenced by a calm delight and cheerfulness.   This joy is the result of a walk with God, which can be likened to a child trusting his father. When we allow the thought that God is in total control of our life, we would cease to worry anymore. A few years ago, a financial crisis in our ministry forced us to ask our staff to go without salary until sufficient offerings came in. One morning, I brought this financial situation before God and said, Father, we don’t have enough money to give salaries to our staff. They are not working for Jesus Ministries, but they too are your servants, upholding me in this ministry. Father, I need Rs1000 (Indian rupees) [about US$25]. I know you will give me that because you are my Father. A joy then began bubbling in my heart giving me an assurance that since the problem is now God’s, He will take care of it.   A week later, I was invited to speak in a meeting in the Kingdom of Bhutan. After ministering there, the pastor gave me an envelope and said, Sadhuji, this is a small offering for your ministry. When I opened the envelope, I was pleasantly surprised to find Rs1000 in it. God is a good God! According to the scriptures, the fruit of joy is associated with the following:  

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1. Experiences of sorrow prepare for and enlarge the capacity for joy.   1 PETER 4:12,13 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of  Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

  The precious Administrator of Jesus Ministries, Amutha lost her dearly beloved husband barely just two months after their wedding in 1994. Yet with all her hopes, dreams and aspirations crushed, in the midst of all her sorrows in that great trial, there was always a calm cheerfulness on her face. She always said with a smile, God is my father. I have committed my entire life into His Hands. I am sure, He will not let anything to happen to me which is not beyond His control. This composure in Amutha is the result of a relationship of trust and commitment between a child and his/her father.  

2. Persecution for Christ’s sake enhances joy.  

 

ACTS 5:40,41 40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. (See also Matthew 5:11,12; Luke 6:22,23.)

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There lived a saintly man of God in India called Sadhu Sundar Singh also known as the Apostle with the Bleeding Feet. Once while preaching in Nepal he was arrested and thrown into prison. The authority stripped him of his clothes, fastened his hands and feet to a block of wood, threw excrement at him and set leeches on him. Though he was suffering excruciating pain, he lifted up his eyes and began looking to the Lord Jesus. The presence of the Lord Jesus came and turned his prison into paradise, filling him with an indescribable joy that bubbled up in his heart.  That joy, like springs of water, refreshed his soul and bestowed him with the strength of God (Neh. 8:10).   Where does this joy come from? It is written, You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11). This scripture signifies that the kingdom of God is full of joy (Mt. 15:21; Lk. 15:7,10; Rom. 14:17). When the kingdom of God is residing within us (Lk. 17:21), the joy of the Lord will flow into us through His Spirit.  

3. Peace   PSALMS 122:8 8 For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.”

  The word “peace” in Hebrew is shalom, meaning peace; completeness.  It signifies a harmonious state of the soul and mind. The state of being at ease is experienced both externally and internally. In Greek it is eirene, meaning peace: one, quietness, rest. It signifies a sense of rest and contentment.   91

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Let us examine an incident in the life of our Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry, which would very beautifully illustrate this fruit of peace.

 

MARK 4:35-39 35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

It was amazing that the Lord Jesus was able to sleep through a storm peacefully. All around the boat there was tension, uneasiness, anxiety and strife. But inside of the boat, the Lord Jesus was sleeping peacefully. He was able to be at peace not because He was the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6), but because of His loving trust in a caring Father (1 Pe. 5:7). One morning in 1994, I was flying from Brisbane to Sydney, Australia, to participate in some meetings. Due to severe air turbulence, the plane was literally rocking and rolling. Every now and then, it would go up more a few feet and drop down more a few feet. Each time that happened, all the passengers in the aircraft would

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experience the sudden drop and lift, resulting in lots of screams and panic. Towards my left, near the window, I noticed a young little girl sitting very calmly on her mother’s lap. I was surprised that the girl did not become hysterical. I soon found the answer why. Her mother had embraced her with her caring hands close to her bosom. That gave the little girl a deep assurance of peace that nothing harmful would happen to her. Likewise, the Lord Jesus, who always lived a life of pleasing God, knew that no harm would come to Him without the Father’s knowledge. Such a peace, which brings about quietness, oneness and calmness is the result of a simple childlike trust and walk with God. Even the tension and strife within us between the spirit and soul would be at peace. It is this fruit of peace that is written in Philippians 4:7, And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Amp.).   The Lord Jesus sent me to Tibet for the first time in September 1986. After a fruitful week of ministry, I took a three-day bus journey back to Nepal. As Tibet is a mountainous plateau, the bus had to climb up mountain slopes averaging 13,000 feet. At one point, just as the bus had negotiated a hair-raising bend and was climbing a slope, the brakes suddenly failed. Panic stricken, the driver raised an alarm to warn all the passengers that the brakes had failed. What made things worse was that instead of moving forward the bus was sliding backwards.   93

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All the passengers, both Tibetans and foreigners, began jumping out of the bus through windows. Strangely, however, there was a great sense of calm and peace deep in my heart. Instead of jumping off the bus like the others, I just prayed, Father, You are the one who sent me to Tibet and I know that even now, my life and this situation are in Your hands. Just as the bus slid close to the perilous bend, the brakes miraculously started working again. The driver got back complete control of the bus and eventually everyone reached the Tibet/Nepal border safely. The maturity of the fruit of peace is the result of fellowshipping and walking with the Prince of Peace.  

4. Longsuffering   COLOSSIANS 1:10,11 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being Fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.

  The word “longsuffering” in Greek is makrothumia, meaning forbearance, patience, longsuffering (macros- “long,” thumos-“temper,” meaning with long [enduring] temper).   The fruit of longsuffering does not hastily retaliate or promptly punishes in circumstances of provocation but rather is always merciful. The by-product of longsufferingpatience-does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial and is always hopeful (1 Thes. 1:3).   I know of a saintly pastor in India who, like the prophet Hosea, had a wife who was having an affair 94

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with her employer. Though he had discovered his wife’s infidelity, because of his love for her, he was unwilling to divorce her. When I was conducting a meeting in his church, the Spirit of God revealed to me all about her adulterous lifestyle and the circumstances under which she fell. Privately, I told the woman what the Spirit of God revealed to me and asked her to repent. That night, she repented, renounced her adulterous affairs, and got reconciled with her husband. This pastor, with tears running down his face said, Sadhuji, for eleven years, I patiently suffered in silence, hoping and praying that my wife would one day change and repent.   This fruit of longsuffering is the result of abiding in the Lord God, who Himself is the personification of long suffering (Ex. 34:6,7; Num. 14:18; Ps. 86;15). When the tree - the Lord Jesus - flows with longsuffering, would not the branches - we His disciples - bear the fruit of longsuffering?

5. Kindness (Gentleness)   COLOSSIANS 3:12 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

  The word “kindness” in the KJV Bible is gentleness, which in Greek is chrestotes, meaning usefulness, i.e., moral excellence (in character or demeanor): gentleness, goodness, kindness. It also signifies the goodness of the heart.   The epitome of kindness in the nature of God is found written so beautifully in Luke 6:35, For He is kind to the unthankful and evil and for He makes His sun rise on the evil 95

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and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Mt. 5:45). Kindness is exercised by love in such a way that it is exhibited in goodwill and benevolence towards others. There was once an American pastor who went to Philippines for missions. One day as he was walking in the streets of the island of Negros, he saw a lady carrying a heavy bag of rice on her shoulders. Noticing her old age and poor physical condition, he took the bag of rice on his own shoulder and walked for two miles to her destination. When he finally lay down the rice bag at her house, with tear in her eyes, the old lady looked at him and asked, Are you Jesus? The pastor asked her, Why do you ask that? She replied, Only Jesus is kind and helpful.   Kindness is the opposite of harshness and bitterness. Even though others may be antagonistic or unresponsive, kindness would always reach out in love. Mercy is the by-product of kindness. Not only is God kind to the ungrateful, selfish and wicked, but He is also very merciful towards them (Lk. 6:36). Kindness extends out its hand of mercy to a person who does not rightfully deserve any good. Though mercy does not overrule or supercede justice, yet like a loving mother who is full of compassion would reach out to the undeserving in love (Isa. 49:15). The fruit of kindness would cause us to be fruitful in the demonstration of loving actions that speak of merciful kindness. Like the Lord Jesus, we too would be led by the Spirit to go about everywhere doing good (Acts 10:38).  

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6. Goodness   ROMANS 15:14 14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

  Let us examine several Greek words for the word “goodness” in order to comprehend its full meaning.   i. agathos means good. It signifies that which is morally honorable, pleasing to God and therefore beneficial.  ii. kalos denotes of that which is ethically good, right, noble and honorable (Gal. 4:18; 1 Tim. 5:10; Titus 2:7). Kalos and agathos occur together in Luke 8:15, an “honest” (kalos) heart, the attitude of which is right towards God; a “good” (agathos) heart one that, instead of working ill to a neighbor, acts beneficially towards them.   iii. agathosune means goodness, i.e. virtue or beneficence. It also denotes the sterner qualities by which doing good to others is not necessarily by gentle means (Mt. 21:12,13, 23:13-29).   After my first trip to Tibet, I had to go from Nepal to India for a further two months of ministry. Though I had insufficient money and had just enough for transportation from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Kalimpong, India, led by the Spirit, I boarded the bus for the onward journey. After traveling for five hours, the bus stopped at a village for dinner. I went to a food stall and enquired the price for a plate of rice. When I realized that I had insufficient money 97

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even for food, I decided just to fill my stomach full of water, like a camel. The bus resumed its trip and I was feeling extremely hungry. After traveling for another two hours, the bus stopped for a short break and a tea-seller got into the bus. I thought in my heart, Lord, how nice it would be if I could have a cup of tea! There was a Tibetan lama (monk) seated beside me from Nepal. He bought two cups of tea and gave one to me. Surprised, I received it with grateful thanks. But the lama’s kind gesture of goodness to a total stranger made an indelible impression on me.   Nine years later, while traveling from Pokhara, Nepal, back to Kalimpong, India, that same Tibetan lama who helped me years ago was again seated beside me. This time, I was able to do some deeds of goodness for the lama. If a non-believer in Christ can be fruitful in deeds of goodness, how much more should we, the children of light, be abundantly fruitful in deeds of goodness.   The fruit of goodness is the demonstration of acts of good deeds to others, irrespective of their goodness or wickedness (Pro. 25:21,22; Lk. 6:45; 2 Cor. 9:8; Titus 2:7).  

7. Faithfulness   HEBREWS 10:23 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope (faith) without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

  The word “faithfulness” in KJV is faith, which in Greek is pistis, meaning firm persuasion. This fruit of faith is essentially an unwavering faith in the faithfulness of God.   98

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The Hall of Fame of Faith in the Book of Hebrews chapter eleven identifies more than twenty Heros who had put their trust, hope and faith in a God who is faithful (Deu. 7:9; 1 Cor. 1:9; 2 Thes. 3:3). Of these saints, it is beautifully written of them that they all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Heb. 11:13).   I personally know of a saintly man of God in South India who walks closely with God. In May 1986, in a tragic car accident, he lost his only beloved daughter. His faith and hope were shattered to pieces. Tears literally became his food and portion for many weeks. One day in prayer, the presence of God came upon the entire family very powerfully. By the fruit of faith, they were able to put their trust in the faithfulness of God, that God who called them is faithful and would perfect that which concerned them (Ps. 138:8; 1 Thes. 5:24; 2 Thes. 3:3). The fruit of faith matures in us as we walk and abide in the God who is faithful.  

8. Gentleness (Meekness)   1 PETER 3:4 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

  The word “gentleness” in KJV is meekness, which in Greek is praiotes, meaning gentleness, implying: humility, meekness. This word’s use in scripture signifies not just a person’s outward behavior but the inward work in the heart. It is

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that temperament of the spirit in which we accept God’s dealings with us as good without disputing or resisting it. Consider the following scriptures.  

 

HEBREWS 12:7-11 (Amp.) 7 You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons.  For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline? 8 Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all]. [Pro. 3:11,12.] 9 Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we yielded [to them] and respected [them for training us]. Shall we not much more cheerfully submit to the Father of spirits and so [truly] live? 10 For [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for only a short period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them; but He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness. 11 For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness - in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God].

When blacksmiths want to bend or shape metals in certain ways, they would subject those metals to very high temperatures of burning fire. In the intense heat, properties within the metals break down, causing them to soften. The 100

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blacksmiths would then beat or lightly twist the metals into the forms they desired. Likewise, in order to produce meekness and gentleness in us, God subjects us to the fires of trials, persecutions and tests. The fruit of meekness or gentleness is, firstly, Godward. For the maturing of the fruit of meekness, God may permit or employ men, even evil men, to inflict insults and injuries for the chastening and purifying of His saints. Consider King David, the man after God’s own heart. The Bible says that he was cursed, had stones thrown at him, and was badly insulted (2 Sam. 16:5-13). Yet King David bore those persecutions patiently and meekfully accepted them as God’s just dealings in his life. The maturity of the fruit of gentleness is the result of allowing the Lord Jesus, who Himself is meek and lowly, to ride on the donkey of our heart (Zech. 9:9; Mt. 11:29).  

9. Self-control (Temperance)   PROVERBS 25:28 28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.    The word “self-control” in KJV is temperance, which in Greek is enkrateia, meaning self-control (especially continence); temperate. Self-control also implies to be strong in a thing (masterful). The various powers bestowed by God upon man are capable of abuse (Gen. 1:26, 3:22); as such, the right use of such powers demands that the controlling power of the will is to be subjected under the operation of the Holy Spirit.   101

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There are several areas in our life that needs self-control.   i. Emotions   JAMES 4:1 1 Where do wars and fights come from among you?  Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? Emotions dwell in the soul of man and they are not sin in themselves. It is God who created us a living soul with emotions (Gen. 2:7). The Lord Jesus too exercised emotions during His earthly life (Mk. 3:5; Lk. 10:21; Jn. 11:35); but He was not ruled by emotions as He had them under the control of the Holy Spirit. Emotions not brought under the control of the Holy Spirit could be destructive. I was once traveling in the western part of Tibet in 1994. One morning while walking in the wilderness, I met an American man flying a huge kite. I stopped to observe his art of flying. The kite was tied to a strong string many feet in length. Holding one end of the string in his hand, and aided by the strong forces of the wind, the man flew his kite. The kite glided higher and higher. When strong winds began to blow, the kite would flap about in different directions. This man then quickly but steadily pulled the kite back on its right course. As I was beholding this, it was impressed upon me that likewise we must control our emotions and mind like the soaring kite. Assailed by the lusts of the flesh, our mind and emotions are capable of flying in wrong directions. The string that held the kite is like a sanctified will and mind. We must will to pull back the mind with its wild 102

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passions from wandering off to taste forbidden pleasurable passions. Through the fruit of temperance in Christ Jesus our emotions could be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit, giving us the victory to live in holiness. ii. Tongue   JAMES 3:2 (Living Bible) 2 If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way.   The tongue is another organ that needs to be brought under control. The person of the Holy Spirit always glorifies God and groans in intercession for God’s children (Jn. 16:14; Rom. 8:26). When the Holy Spirit is residing in us, He causes us to bring forth the fruit of temperance. Our tongue would then be under control and speak words of life, blessings, praises, and intercessions unto God (Ps. 51:14; Pro. 18:21; 1 Cor. 14:2).   There was once a wise philosopher. One morning he called for his cook and told him to cook the best dish he could think of for lunch. The cook put on his thinking cap and pondered the matter over the whole morning. When the philosopher came to the dining table for lunch, the cook brought out a dish whose aroma filled the whole house. The philosopher wanted to know what could give out such an appetizing aroma. The cook proudly announced, “Master this is ox curry. The tongue is the best organ of the body isn’t it? It blesses everyone”. The philosopher was pleased with such a wise answer and doubly enjoyed his delectable meal. 103

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After his meal the philosopher asked for the cook again: “Now, I want you to cook for me the worst dish in the whole world for dinner. The cook went to the kitchen and put on his thinking cap once more. When the philosopher came and sat at the dining table, the cook brought out a dish so smelly it made everyone nauseous. The philosopher could hardly bring himself to eat that dish. Holding his breath, he asked what it was. The cook replied: “Its tongue curry, master. The tongue, though good and sometimes blesses, is at the same time most uncontrollable and often curses”. How true, isn’t it? We use our tongue to praise and bless God. We also use the tongue to curse our fellow brothers and sisters. We use the tongue to edify one another. We also use the tongue to backbite, murmur and slander others (Eph. 4:29). The fruit of temperance would enable us to discipline our body and bring it under subjection to the Holy Spirit, so that we could present it as a living sacrifice, holy and unblamable before God (Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 9:27; Col. 1:22).  

 

Planted in Eden PSALM 1:3 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

  Once in a vision, I saw the Lord Jesus watering some very small flowers in garden. The flowers began to grow 104

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big, bright, and beautiful. The Lord then plucked the fully grown flowers, and put them in a vase. The vase was then kept in a house to beautify it. He then signified to me that, likewise, we too must be beautiful in our spirit by bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Only then could we be perfected in holiness to be vessels in the house of God (2 Tim. 2:20,21). In order for us to bear the fruit of the spirit and not the fruit of the works of the flesh, the garden of our life should be well tended. It is written, And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it (Gen. 2:15, Amp.) As we learn to guard our flesh and our spirit and keep them pure and well-watered, our life would be like a well tended garden. Once in a vision, I saw a beautiful snow-covered hill overlooking a lustrous valley. At the foothill I noticed a small and narrow pathway leading down to the valley. Instead of just being a flat stretch of plain land, the valley was an exquisite garden. Its beauty was beyond description. The garden contained a vast array of flora and fauna. I also noticed a large and broad waterfall flowing into the garden from somewhere above. It seemed like the waters were flowing gently in a crescendo of waves upon the foliage. As I was pondering at the vision, the Holy Spirit then impressed upon me that I was beholding the Garden of Eden (cp. Gen. 2:8-14). And the pathway to enter into this garden, which is paradise in heaven, is obedience and a crucified life. The hill covered with snow signifies holiness (Ps. 48:1). The Lord Jesus Himself had said that great is the gate and way that leads to destruction. But narrow is the way and gate to eternal life (Matt. 7:13,14).   105

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As the garden was in Eden and Eden spiritually speaks of the habitation of God (Gen. 3:8), likewise, when we continually learn to dwell and abide in God, we would always be abounding in the fruit of the spirit (Jn. 15:4-8). The fruit of the Spirit is the fountain of holiness from which the Christ nature, character, and qualities flow out from us.

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Chapter 7

A Holy Living

One night as I was waiting on God, I saw the Lord Jesus robed with a purple vesture standing before me. I noticed that His feet were bare. At other times, I had seen him wearing golden shoes and sandals. The Lord Jesus then said: A person has to keep his feet clean and pure from all the dust and dirt of this world. The feet symbolise our life in this world. Dust symbolises the things of this world and dirt symbolises the lusts of the world (Jas. 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15,16). The feet of the Lord Jesus touched the ground yet He did not allow dirt and dust to soil His feet. We, too, though living in this world, should not be of this world (Jn. 15:19, 17:6,14). But rather should endeavor to live a life of holiness and separation from this world.

The Reality Of Holiness 1 PETER 1:14-16 (Amp.) 14 [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. 107

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15 But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. 16 For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. There was once a very kind and well-to-do man in a certain village in India. He was always dressed in fine clothes and was greatly respected in the village. Every evening, he used to go for a walk, always looking for opportunities to do some acts of goodness and kindness to others. As he went walking one day, he came across a large filthy, muddy pool in which was a pig lying peacefully.   He felt a great pity for the poor pig. He thought in his heart, This poor pig does not even have a roof over its head, while I live in a luxurious mansion. This poor pig does not even have good food to eat, while I am always feasting on sumptuous food. I must do something for this pig.  He went into the filthy pool, picked up the pig in his arms, cuddled it close to his bosom as a child would cuddle her teddy bear, and brought it to his house.   He took the pig to the bathroom and gave it a good wash. The pig was now sparkling clean and he tied a rosy red ribbon around its neck. He then gave the pig the very same delicious food that he ate. Hungrily, the pig swallowed all the food within a minute. The man then put the pig to sleep on a feather-filled pillow. Soon the pig was peacefully snoring. As it was sleeping, a thought suddenly dawn on its mind, Hey! Where is home sweet home? This place doesn’t smell like home. The next minute, the pig dashed out of the house and dived back into the muddy and filthy pool.   Often, our lives, too, are like that pig’s isn’t it? The Lord Jesus cleansed us from sin and sanctified us. Because of an 108

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unrenewed mind and undisciplined body, time and again, we keep going back to our unclean and filthy ways. Many of us do not want to live unclean lives. We try to be holy and yet fail. The secret to living holily is not in TRYING TO BE HOLY, but in LIVING HOLY. It should not be a struggle at all. We struggle to live holy because we do not know how to practise the art of perfecting holiness. Consider carefully the phrase “we do not know how.” Ignorance keeps us in bondage. Early in his Christian life, the apostle Paul too echoed this kind of ignorance: “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find” (Rom. 7:18). “How to Lord?” is the prayer I often pray when asking God for illumination on godly living. This cry is in response to the multitudes who seek my prayers for overcoming difficulties in their Christian life. The God who called us to live holy lives will not allow us to wallow in ignorance and defeat. It has pleased the holy God to make known to us how every believer can live a holy life.

 

The Art Of Perfecting Holiness 2 CORINTHIANS 7:1 1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

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sanctification is an ongoing work till the end. It is also written, pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord (Heb. 12:14b, Amp.) The word “pursue” in Greek is dioko, meaning follow after, press toward.   We need to perfect and pursue holiness because God dwells in us. And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’ (2 Cor. 6:16-18). Almost all Christians have never really grasped nor understood the fact that when we are born again, God comes to dwell in us through the Spirit (Eph. 2:22). Even if we have allowed our hearts to believe this truth, we have not allowed our minds to be renewed to accept this truth in reality. Let us consider an example. The Word says that when two or three are gathered in the Name of the Lord Jesus, He would be amongst us (Mt. 18:20). If we truly believe that, most Christians’ prayers would not be full of unbelief and doubt concerning whether God heard them or not. We profess and confess that knowledge, but that profession and confession are not reflected in a practical manner in our everyday reality. It is because of the attitude of double-mindedness in us, the Lord Jesus said that God was seeking for true worshippers who would worship Him in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:23,24). When our minds are possessed with the truth of the reality of the presence of God, then we would be living holy at all times.   110

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Not only is God dwelling in us through His Spirit, the Bible also tells us that angels too are constantly with us (Mt. 18:10; Heb. 1:14). These angels are with and among us, not only to protect us (Ps. 91:11,12) and carry our prayers before God (Rev. 8:3,4), but to bear witness regarding our lives (Gen. 19:1-11; Ex. 23:21; Heb. 13:2). Several years ago, I was waiting on God one night praying for the coming Sunday service in a certain church. As I was waiting, an angel appeared before me and said, I am the angel of the church where you are going this Sunday. These are the sins of the Church (Rev. 2:3). This angel then named the various sins in the church which he had witnessed. These revelations were later humbly confirmed by the senior elder of the church.   Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us strip ourselves of every sin which so stubbornly clings to us, by perfecting and pursuing after holiness with all our heart.    

How To Perfect holiness?

  During an interview, the great Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski said, “It is not from choice that my life is music and nothing more, but when one is an artist, what else can he be? When a whole lifetime is too short to attain the heights he wants to reach, how then can he devote any of the little time he has to things outside of his art? To the question whether he had attained the heights, which he was seeking, Paderewski answered, “I am nothing. If you know the dream of what I would like to be, you would realize how little I have accomplished.”   111

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If a person of the world could have such lofty aspirations towards excellence, how much more should the people of the living God who would be living with the almighty God throughout eternity pursue and attain the lofty heights of Christlikeness by perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Holiness is not struggling to live like Christ Jesus or trying to obey God’s commandments or trying our best to live holy.  Holiness is a lifestyle-a way of living.   Consider a son or daughter of a family. No father or mother would need daily to tutor their children concerning their roles as sons and daughters. Every child learns to be a son or daughter not from textbook instructions but by just being in the family.  Likewise, we could learn the art of perfecting holiness in the fear of God by adopting a lifestyle of abiding in Christ Jesus.   We could live holily in Christ Jesus by practicing a lifestyle of:

1. Fear of God   PSALM 19:9 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgements of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

  One morning in November 1997, I was pouring out my heart in praying the prayer in Psalm 27:4: One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may be holy all the days of my life. As I was praying, the phrase “Perfecting holiness in the fear of God” was illuminated in my mind. As I meditated upon it, the Holy Spirit impressed upon me that the key to perfect holiness is the fear of God. 112

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What is the fear of God? The word “fear” in Greek is phobos, meaning “fear, dread, terror”. It also signifies a wholesome dread of displeasing God, which influences the disposition and attitude of one whose circumstances are guided by a trust in God through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The fear of the Lord is a reverential fear of the almighty God. It is not just a mere fear of His judgmental retribution but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him.   When I was growing up as a Hindu, I was taught that if I commit any wrong, the gods would punish me. For example, if I were to steal, the gods would send judgement upon me. When I die, I would end up in hell, where the demons would eternally keep on chopping off my hands. These kinds of retributive judgement caused me to have great fear for the gods and to live right.   In Christianity, God has been presented as a God of love to whom we could keep on coming for forgiveness any number of times even for the same sins over and over again. Because of this teaching, it has caused in us a callous attitude of fearing God. We have this attitude, Never mind if we have sinned. We could always ask God for forgiveness.   What does it really mean to fear God? It is written, And Moses said to the people, Fear not; for God has come to prove you, so that the [reverential] fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin (Ex. 20:20, Amp.). To fear God, then, is not to sin against Him.   The fear of God can also be exemplified as follows:  

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i. To abstain and shun evil (Job. 1:1). The KJV Bible uses the word “eschew”; in Hebrew it is suwr, meaning, to turn off, depart, eschew, leave, withdraw.  ii. To hate evil (Pro. 8:13). The word “hate” in Hebrew is sane, meaning, to hate (personally) as an enemy, foe.   iii. To depart and avoid evil (Pro. 16:6). The word “evil” in Greek is kakos, meaning whatever is evil in character, base, and poneros, meaning whatever that is evil in influence and effect, malignant.   The perfect example to illustrate the fear of God from the above mentioned definitions, is found in the life of Joseph.   GENESIS 39:7-12 7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 “There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” 10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. 11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside,

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12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.   Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph. But Joseph, being a God-fearing man, said to her, How can I do this great evil and sin against God? He then fled away from the scene of temptation. Once in a vision, I saw a deer being pursued by some hunters. Without even turning back to see its pursuers, the deer ran away from its hunters into a safe place. The Lord Jesus then came and clothed the deer with the robe of righteousness and led it away. This is how we, too, must run away from sin. The devil is a hunter who seeks out whom he may devour (1 Pe. 5:8). Just as the deer ran away from its hunters, we too must flee from all appearances of evil (1 Thes. 5:22). Just as the deer was clothed with a robe of righteousness, the Lord would bless and grace us with the beauty of holiness. There was once a young boy who was trying his best to save money to buy his mother a present. It was a terrible struggle because he gave in so easily to the temptation to buy goodies from the ice-cream man whenever the brightly colored van came through the neighborhood. One night after his mother had tucked him to bed, she overhead him pray: “Please, God, help me run away when the ice-cream man comes tomorrow”. Even at his young age he had learned that one of the best ways to overcome temptation is to flee. The Bible too exhorts as: Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22).

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This, then, is the key to live a holy life: fear God and depart from all appearances of evil. Let us learn to reverently fear God (Deu. 31:13).  

2. Fellowshipping with God   1 JOHN 1:3,7 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

  To fellowship with God is to abide with God (Jn. 15:7). Just as the moon that is directly facing the sun would reflect light from the sun, likewise we can live holily by being in full focus with God. Before Adam sinned, he was in constant fellowship with God. Though he was naked, he did not know it because God’s glory was his covering (Gen. 3:7,10; Ps. 8:5). Being in fellowship with God, he was able to absorb and reflect God’s glory as Moses later did (cp. Ex. 34:29,30).   When the devil tempted Eve, he made her shift her focus from God and to herself. A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth comes between the moon and the sun and casts its shadow on the moon. Likewise, the devil came between Eve and God, causing the shadow of darkness of deception to fall upon Eve. When Eve let God out of focus and started fellowshipping with the devil, she fell into his deceptions and lost the holiness of God (Gen. 3:1-6).   116

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On the contrary, consider the Lord Jesus in the wilderness of temptation. Though the devil came between God the Father and Him, tempting Him to focus on self, the Lord Jesus kept His eyes focused on God by abiding in the Word (Mt. 4:3-10). As we draw closer to God in fellowship and communion, the fire of God’s holiness would convict us to put away the shoes of our old self and unclean ways (Ex. 3:4,5). During the days of the tabernacle in the Old Testament, it was the priests’ responsibility to keep the wicks on the lamp stand clean and trimmed. Likewise, as we fellowship with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the refining and purifying fires of the Holy Spirit would consume and devour the filthiness and uncleanness of our spirit and flesh. Out of the burnt wicks would remain the ashes of the beauty of holiness (Pro. 25:4,5; Isa. 61:3; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:3).   Not only were the priests required to trim the lamps, but they were also required to constantly pour oil into the lamps so that they would burn continually (Ex. 27:20; Lev. 24:2). Likewise, as we keep praying in the Holy Spirit, He would continually convict us and bring to our attention the need to put away from the midst of us every kind of presumptuous sins (Ps. 19:13; Jn. 16:8).   The apostle Paul, in writing the epistle to the Hebrews, reveals to us a secret of how the Lord Jesus perfected holiness in the fear of God. It is written, In the days of His flesh [Jesus] offered up definite, special petitions [for that which He not only wanted but needed] and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was [always] able to save Him [out] from death, and He was heard because of His reverence 117

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toward God [His godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father] (Heb. 5:7, Amp.). Unholiness alienates us from the holy presence of God. This happened to Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:23, 24). God is no respecter of persons. It was this reverential fear for God - recognizing the possibility of a broken oneness with God - which stayed the Lord Jesus on the path of holiness. If we allow this fear - separation from God’s brightness and plunging into darkness - to grip out heart, we would be spurred on to perfect holiness with a godly fear.  Once I was graced by the mercies of God with the following revelation: The Holy Spirit asked me a question: “How was Moses’ face able to shine forth with the glory of God?” I have learned through my walk with God that there is more to spiritual revelation than what we may possibly already know. So I meekly answered, “Lord, I do not know of that very well. Please teach me”. “During the exodus of Israel from Egypt and throughout her sojourning in the wilderness,” the Holy Spirit asked, “why did God frequently manifest Himself to Moses and Israel in the form of fire?”. I just stared blankly at the direction where I perceived the presence of the Holy Spirit was with a “Please teach me” look. What a wonderful teacher the Holy Spirit is (Jn.14:26; 1 Jn. 2:27)! In response to my query, He graciously explained that holiness is an intangible spiritual substance. Fire is the tangible physical manifestation of holiness. Whenever the prophet Moses went into the tabernacle to commune with God, the Lord God would often appear to him in the form of a pillar of fire. This I was mercifully allowed to see in a vision. The prophet Moses was in effect entering into the holy of holies in the tabernacle. Inside, a 118

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devouring and consuming column of fire would manifest before him. Moses would stare with wide-open eyes at the pillar of fire. Whenever God spoke, fiery flares would stream forth from the pillar of fire towards Moses. These fiery flares continually purified and refined his spirit, soul and body. At certain moments, the entire body of the prophet Moses would appear to be engulfed in the fire of God. The holiness of God was being imparted on the very skin of the prophet Moses. This was the holiness of God’s glory which the Israelites saw shinning upon their leader’s face (Ex. 34:29, 30).

Abiding in Christ To fellowship with God is also to abide with Christ Jesus. One night as I was waiting on God, I had a visitation from the Lord Jesus and I beheld His similitude (Num. 12:8). The Lord Jesus said, “It is written in My word that My hair and clothes are pure and white” (Matt. 17:2; Rev. 1:14). Similarly is the appearance of God the Father (Dan. 7:9), which symbolizes holiness. How is this holiness identical to Father God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ? It is by abiding in the Father constantly (Pro. 8:30; Jn. 1:18, 10:30, 17:11, 22-24; 1 Jn. 5:7). “Likewise, the Bride who has made herself ready for the Bridegroom is given to wear a garment made of fine linen, clean and white (Rev. 19:7,8),” our Lord continued. “This too speaks of holiness, which is found in Me. Why was she given to wear the fine linen? Because she is the Bride. A bride is someone who is one with the bones and flesh of the bridegroom (Eph. 5:30). Therefore, the only way to be holy is to abide in 119

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Me, just as I abide in My Father (Jn. 15:4, 17:21). Only then could the fiery stream that flows out from My presence able to constantly cleanse and purify a person in holiness” (Dan. 7:10; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:3). There was once a man who sat down at his flower shop to make a garland of jasmine flowers. He first took a long naaru (strips of thread from the banana tree) and wetted it. Tying one end of the naaru to his right toe and holding the other end with his left hand, he carefully picked up a jasmine flower and placed it on top of the naaru. Then he brought the naaru end on his left hand towards the other end and tied a knot over the jasmine flower. The whole process was repeated until the entire garland was completed. The naaru, by nature, does not have any scent. But linked in such a union with the jasmine flower, it gains the aromatic scent of the jasmine. A proverb in one of the Indian languages says, “The thread that holds the jasmine flowers absorbs the fragrance of the flowers.” Likewise, when we abide and dwell in Christ Jesus, we too will emanate the sweet-smelling aroma of Christlikeness. And as we continually abide in Christ Jesus, we will begin bearing the fruit of the Spirit, which is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth (Jn. 15:4; 5:7; Eph. 5:9). A garland of flowers is used for adornment. Likewise, when we begin bearing the fruit of the Spirit by abiding in the Lord Jesus, we will be adorned in the beauty of holiness. As we continually fellowship with God, our spirit, soul, and body would be overflowing with God’s holiness inside and around us.

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3. Meditation of the Word   One night in December 1988 as I was waiting on God, I beheld the similitude of the Lord Jesus in the Spirit. The Lord Jesus wrote on the wall the word BLOOD. He then gave the following explanation: “You have to constantly immerse yourself in My precious blood to live a pure and holy life (1 Jn. 1:7, 9). You have to constantly immerse and rinse yourself in My blood. Even the mind needs to be rinsed constantly in My blood to be free of any worldly or fleshy defilement. My blood is Spirit and Life (Lev. 17:11; 1 Jn. 5:8). My word is Spirit and Life (Jn. 6:63). My son, the written word is the greatest treasure I have given to My children. It has all the power as I AM the Living Word. When used and applied it has creative power.” What a power the word of God possesses! When we meditate the word, powerful spiritual chemicals and enzymes inherent in the word are activated in our spirit, soul, and body. These purifying agents have the power to cleanse us of all spiritual filth.

 

PSALMS 119:9 (Amp.) 9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your Word [conforming his life to it].   JOHN 17:17 (Amp.) 17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by Truth; Your Word is Truth.

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How could the Word sanctify us? Consider these scriptures, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever (1 Pe. 1:23) and We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him (1 Jn. 5:18). How could a person who was born again by the Word of God keep himself from sinning?   The Word has been compared to a seed. The word “seed” in Greek is spora, meaning a sowing, i.e. implying, parentage. A seed is the mature ovule which includes a minute embryo plant, and contains stored food that will supply the seedling when it begins to grow after sprouting and germination. God is holy and His Word is pure (Ps. 12:6, 19:8, 119:140). When we are richly filled with the Word, it is like the planting of good seeds in the ground of our heart.   When a seeds germinates, a seedling sprouts out of it. This eventually grows and matures into a fruit-bearing tree like the tree that produced the original seed. Likewise, the Word of God which is pure, when sown into our heart, would germinate, thereby cleansing and purifying our spirit and soul, producing the kind of holiness which is found in God.   For the Word of God to germinate, we need to meditate the Word of God (Jos. 1:8; Ps. 1:2). To meditate is to ponder deeply and reflectively on the Word of God. Before Clara Schumann, the widow of German composer Robert Schumann, would play any of her husband’s music, she would first privately read over some of the love letters which he wrote her. Reading those letters filled her with 122

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his life and inspired her to better interpret his musical compositions. Likewise, when we meditate the Word of God, God’s holiness would fill our lives.   When we meditate the Word of God, a threefold work of sanctification is affected in us.  

1. Cleanses   EPHESIANS 5:26 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word. The most beautiful illustration to this scripture is found in John 13:3-10. We read that the Lord Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. The act of the Lord Jesus in washing the disciples’ feet speaks of the cleansing work of sanctification by the Word. The word “clean” in Greek is katharizo, meaning to make clean, to cleanse. It signifies cleansing from the defilement of sin.   Soap and detergents are commonly used for cleansing purposes. Soap is a natural cleansing agent produced by the reaction of an alkali with animal fat or vegetable oil, whereas a detergent is a cleansing preparation synthesized from a number of readily available raw materials. Detergents contain surface-active agents (surfactants). Surfactants lower the surface tension of water and are able to dislodge dirt from surfaces, emulsifying it and suspending it in water.   L i k e w i s e , t h e Wo r d o f G o d i s l i k e s o a p a n d detergents. As the surfactants in the detergent lower the surface tension, likewise the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, like the surfactants, bring conviction of sin (Heb. 4:12). This conviction takes effect 123

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in the spirit, bringing knowledge to the mind the need to renounce and put away sin.   As we allow the Word of God to dwell in us richly by meditation, our spirit and flesh would be cleansed from all filthiness (Col. 3:16; Heb. 10:22).  

2. Purify   PSALM 12:6 6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (also Ps. 19:8, 119:140; Pro. 30:5) The second effect of sanctification that results from meditating the Word of God is purification. To purify is to burn or purge by fire. Purification by fire totally purges or purifies an object from any defilement.   There once grew a certain shrub in a college compound in India. Whenever students walk pass this shrub and brush against it, some kind of allergy comes upon them, causing them to itch all over their bodies. The college principal hired some workers to cut off that shrub. After some days, these shrubs grew again, resurrecting the students’ miseries. Finally, the principal hired some workers and told them to totally burn the shrub to the ground. The fires totally consumed that shrub to its roots and it never surfaced again.   Likewise, the Word of God totally purges and purifies the roots of sins in our minds. The Bible tells us that the Word of God is fiery (Deu. 33:2). The Word is Spirit and

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Life (Jn. 6:63; 2 Cor. 3:6), and the Spirit of God is fire (Isa. 4:4). Thus, when we meditate the Word of God, the Holy Spirit purifies us by His fires (Ps. 39:3; Jer. 5:14, 23:29).   As we continually apply our heart to meditate scriptures, His Word would purify us like silver is purified and transform us into the glorious image of the living Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).   I was in Kazakhstan in the winter of 1997. During those days it was continually snowing all day long. One particular night, before I went to bed, the sky was clear and beautiful. The following morning I found the whole street and buildings covered with a beautiful layer of white snow. I examined a snow flake. It was beautifully intricate in design. It was also colorless. I pondered over this one point: If the snow flake is colorless, how is it that snow appears white? The truth is simpler than I thought: one flake on top of another; flake after flake after flake. The build up of the multitude of flakes gives them an appearance as pure as white. Likewise is the work of holiness in our life. Each snowflake is like the pure word of God (Pro. 30:5). The word of God affects a work of purity in our lives (1 Pe. 1:22). As we meditate the word of God day and night, we become purer and purer day by day. Just as after when all the snow flakes had dropped on the ground and the street looked as if a white blanket had been thrown over, likewise every entrance and storage of the pure word of God into our lives will produce holiness in us to stand before God (Heb. 12:14).

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3. Renewal   One morning in March 1999, as I bowed my head with my Bible in my hands to pray and meditate, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Holy, holy, holy. If you meditate on holiness you will live only a holy life. Consider why do the angelic hosts praise God as “holy, holy, holy” (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8)? When you keep on meditating on holiness, this thought occupies your mind, and you will be led to live a life of holiness. When you lie upon your bed, mediate on the seraphim who are worshipping God incessantly with the words “Holy, holy, holy”. When you meditate accordingly, all that is within you will cry, “Holy, holy, holy”. If you meditate on filthiness you will live a filthy life. If you meditate on holiness you will live a holy life.” This revelation from the blessed Holy Spirit underscores the importance of the renewal of the mind. The mind is the crucial factor determining whether one lives a holy life or a filthy life. The renewed mind was the key that enabled the biblical Joseph to live a holy life. His mind was stayed on the fear of God and was not swayed to consider the lustful overtures of his Master’s wife (Gen. 39:9). This is also true of the prophet Daniel. Rather than defile himself with the king’s rich but unclean food, his mind - and those of his young Hebrew companions - was stayed on remaining ritually pure (Dan. 1:8). ROMANS 12:2 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

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EPHESIANS 4:23 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind The renewal of the mind is the resultant effect of cleansing and purifying by the Word of God. The word, “renew” in Greek is anakainosis [used in Rom. 12:2]. It means to make new. It also signifies the adjustment of the moral thinking to the mind of God. The other Greek word ananeoo [used in Eph. 4:23] means to renew, make young. When we allow the spirit of our mind to be renewed through the meditation of the Word of God, all the energies of our soul are brought under the controlling power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is the mind that wills to obey God in holiness or to yield to satan through gratifying the insatiable lusts of the flesh. The unregenerate mind is reprobate (Rom. 1:28-32), and finds it difficult to obey God in righteousness and holiness (Rom. 7:19-23). When the mind is renewed by obeying the Word of God, it is then purified and made new to continually choose the good, perfect, and acceptable will of God (1 Pe. 1:22).   I saw a vision while meditating the word of God one morning in March 2005. I saw what looked like an x-ray picture of a man. As the man meditated the word, the meditated word entered into him like food into his mouth. As the word moved down his throat, the word, which is light, lighted up his entire inner being (Ps.119:105, 130). When the spirit of man is lighted up by the word of God, the cobwebs of black spots and traces of ungodliness clinging to the inner man are exposed. The continual entrance of God’s word through consistent meditation cleanses and purifies the inner man. The inner being of the 127

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spirit man purified by the word begins to glow with everincreasing heavenly glory. The inner being, which is the temple of the holy God, is being prepared for the God of holiness to come and make His abode (Jn.14:21,23).    Therefore, we must learn to practice meditating on the Word of God and on whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them] (Phil. 4:8, Amp.). As our mind is aligned with the mind of Christ, our life will then be clean and pure.

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Elephant seals spend most of their lives sleeping. Science News reports, “Male elephant seals measure 16 feet from trunk-like nose to flipper, and they weigh about 3 tons. Occasionally, a seal will use a front flipper – incredibly tiny for such a massive creature – to scratch itself or flip sunshielding sand on its body. Otherwise these huge animals are basically motionless. This animal does not eat while on land during the breeding season; they sleep most of the time. Besides scratching, dirt-flipping, or rolling over, these ponderous animals seldom move.” This is the sorr y state of most Christians. We faithfully attend church services, do occasional works of ministry, and behave in a religious way. But like the largely motionless elephant seal, many believers do not move beyond “mere Christianity” - and certainly not striving to live a life of holiness as God has desired of us. The scriptures exhort us all to awake to righteousness and refrain from sin, for some do not have the knowledge of God (1 Cor.15:34). The knowledge of God will help us develop a healthy fear of God, which would motivate us to live a life of holiness (Pro. 9:10).

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A certain family had a raccoon. One minute he would snuggle up on your lap like an angel and the next moment he’d be engaged in the most fiendish antics. Unrestrained, he would raid the garbage can and tear up the flowerbed. Although the raccoon was delightful as a family pet, it became painfully evident that his destructive actions were governed by his wild instincts. A raccoon will always be a raccoon, and no amount of domestication would alter its animal nature. Like the raccoon with its inseparable natural instincts, our sinful nature clings to us even after we are washed by the blood of Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul identifies himself with all Christians like this: I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find (Rom.7:18). Although we are new creatures in Christ Jesus, our spirit having been sanctified, we still possess the tendency to sin in the flesh. Roman emperors saw torture as a legitimate way to put muscle and teeth into their laws. They were known to bind the body of a murder victim to the back of his killer. Under penalty of death, no one was allowed to remove the bound corpse from the condemned criminal. Perceiving the spiritual reality behind such a torture the apostle Paul, like us, cried, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom.7:24). Most - if not all - believers long for purity and holiness. But often, we feel helplessly bound to the dead body of our flesh. Nonetheless, we need not be hopelessly bound by the flesh. Once, an old Cherokee (American Indian) chief was sitting before a flickering fire with his grandson. The boy had broken a tribal taboo. The grandfather wanted to help 130

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him understand what made him do it. “It’s like we have two wolves inside us. One is good, the other is bad. Both demand our obedience,” counseled the wise chief. “Which one wins?” the puzzled boy couldn’t contain his inquisitiveness. “The one we feed!” answered the wise old chief emphatically. Every believer can identify with this struggle. We fight an ongoing battle with our self-serving sinful passions and desires. They rise up from within us, unsuspectingly like the legendary Loch Ness monster in Scotland, putting incredible pressures on us to satisfy them. The Bible warns, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? (Rom.6:16) When an evil desire demands to be fed, we must resist it. The scriptures clearly admonish us in Romans 13:14… DO NOT……………… 1. … gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 2. … make provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. 3. … think of ways to indulge your evil desires. 4. …make plans to enjoy evil. 5. …think about the evil cravings of your physical nature to gratify its lustful desires. The Christian gains victory by starving the old nature and feeding the new. By obeying God’s word and yielding our spirit, soul, and body to the Holy Spirit, we can be victorious over the flesh - the beast nature within us. 131

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But there is yet another better and more excellent way. Let’s take a step back into American history. The bitter conflict had finally ended between the North and the South. The soldiers of the US Civil War were now free to return to their families. But a number of them remained hidden in the woods, living on berries. They either didn’t hear or didn’t believe that the war was over, so they continued enduring miserable conditions when they could have been back home. Likewise, we have been set free from the bondage and reign of sin over our life (Rom.6:6). We need to know this beyond a shadow of doubt in our heart. We have been set free - even from struggling against sins (Rom.6:18). When Lot and his family were delivered from the destruction that came upon Sodom and Gomorrah by an angel of God, Lot was told, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountain, lest you be destroyed” (Gen. 19:17). We have been set free from sin. Therefore we should no longer yield to sin, but rather run up to the mountain towards godliness - Christlikeness, that is. To run up the mountain is to pursue after holiness. As long as we keep on running, not stopping even to look back for a second, we shall have fruits unto holiness in our life.

Hidden in Christ COLOSSIANS 3:3,4 (Amp.) 3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.

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4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory. Consider the creation of a precious gem on the floor of the ocean. A pearl is produced as an abnormal growth within the shells of a bi-valve mollusk such as an oyster. Such a mollusk has an inner layer of shell made of a lustrous material called nacre or Mother-of-pearl. It is composed of the mineral aragonite and an organic, cartilaginous substance, conchiolin. When a bit of foreign matter, like a grain of sand, enters the shell, the mollusk isolates it by gradually coating it with layers of nacre. This is the beginning of a most beautiful transformation. It may take three years or more - but the mollusk would eventually produce a pearl.   Likewise, our life is hidden in Christ Jesus as the grain of sand in the oyster. As the oyster coated the grain of sand with layers of nacre to form a pearl, likewise the Lord Jesus washed and sanctified us by His Word and Spirit (1 Cor. 6:11; Ti. 3:5). The grain of sand did not do anything to become a pearl. All it did was to remain in the oyster. Likewise we, who are already being made holy, need only to remain and abide in Christ Jesus to have the beauty of His holiness perfected in us (1 Cor. 1:2; Col. 2:2; Ti. 2:14; Heb. 10:10).   The nature of Christlikeness - godliness and holiness has already been imparted to us at the regeneration of our spirit. Our cry and struggle should not then be, Lord, make me more holy! Rather, we should learn how to cultivate, unlock, and let the Christ nature in the seed planted in us germinate and flow out (1 Jn. 3:9).   133

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Consider the germination of a seed. Germination is the resumption of growth of a “seed plant” after a period of dormancy. The main feature of germination is the increased rate of respiration - i.e., the biologic “burning” of carbohydrate to provide energy for metabolism and growth. Likewise in order to allow the flowering or germination of the seed of Christ’s holiness in us, the condition of spiritual respiratory burning must take place.   Respiration speaks of prayer and meditation, while burning speaks of the Fires of the Holy Spirit. As we dwell in the secret place of the Most High through a life of prayer and abide under the shadow of the Almighty through meditating God’s Word, the fires of the Holy Spirit would then strengthen and confirm and establish [our] hearts faultlessly pure and unblamable in holiness in the sight of our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) with all His saints (the holy and glorified people of God)!  Amen, (so be it)! (1 Thes. 3:13, Amp.)  

Tests of Obedience JUDGES 2:20-23 20 Then the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not heeded My voice, 21 I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, 22 so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not.”

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23 Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out immediately; nor did He deliver them into the hand of Joshua. May I ask you a question? Why did God leave the heathen nations around Israel alone instead of driving them out? It is to test whether Israel would “play the harlot” with them. Likewise, God has allowed weaknesses and thorns in our flesh to test our hearts and minds. Would we, God wants to see, succumb to sin or live a holy life in humble submission and obedience to His commands? The Lord Jesus did not walk in this world as the Lord God Jehovah, as who He was in heaven. He was made like unto man, subject to all kinds of passions and weakness (Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:9; 4:15). Yet he chose not to sin by living an obedient life in holiness and in fear of God (Phil. 2:8; Heb. 5:7). So, you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to its lustful desire. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God (Rom. 6:11-13).

Holiness Is A Result of A Relationship Of Intimacy The lily, a bridal flower, is considered as a flower of purity and chastity, which speaks of the bride. Like the whiteness of the lily, we should be pure and holy before God 135

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(1 Thes. 4:7; 1 Pe. 1:15,16). The lily is soft and tender. Likewise, we should live a life of godliness consisting of meekness and humility of heart (Col. 3:12; 1 Tim. 4:8). The Lily is fragrant. Likewise, when we purify ourselves, God will look down upon us and smell the sweet aroma of the beauty of holiness in our life. How can we be adorned with this bridal holiness?

 

HOSEA 2:19,20 (Amp.) 19 And I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. 20 I will even betroth you to Me in stability and in faithfulness, and you shall know (recognize, be acquainted with, appreciate, give heed to, and cherish) the Lord.

The word “betroth” in Hebrew is aras, which means to engage for matrimony. It means that once a woman and man are betrothed, they belong to each other and the marriage contract is sealed. How is the betrothal between God and His people sealed? Verse 19 tells us that God has betrothed us to Himself in righteousness, justice and love, which in essence is holiness.   Holiness, then, is the natural result of an intimate relationship with Christ Jesus, our Bridegroom and Husband. Those who have committed themselves to the Lord Jesus as His bride would be motivated by an intimate passionate love burning within their bones to please the Bridegroom. As a bride in the natural would seek to develop an intimate relationship with her bridegroom

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by recognizing his headship, thereby acquainting, appreciating, giving heed to, and cherishing his ways, likewise spiritual intimacy with the heavenly bridegroom would result in holiness, something only to be experienced at the feet of Christ Jesus in prayer and worship.   Let us consider an example from the scriptures.   LUKE 7:36-39, 44-50 36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.  And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 “You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My Feet since the time I came in. 46 “You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.

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47 “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

In this incident, an adulterous woman who was considered a sinner by the Jewish society came to the Lord Jesus. She knew that the Lord Jesus was dining in the Pharisee’s house. In coming to meet the Lord Jesus, she did not come empty handed, but brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil. In the Jewish custom, the alabaster flask of fragrant oil is the bride’s gift to her bridegroom. This woman came seeking her bridegroom.   She stood at the feet of the Lord Jesus and began crying. On seeing that her sinful tears had defiled the holy feet of the Lord Jesus, she knelt down beside Him, bowed her head very low to touch His feet, and wiped them with her hair in great reverential love and respect. This act of the woman in kneeling and bowing low to touch the feet of the Lord Jesus speaks of submission and worship (Rev. 4:10, 7:11).   This woman’s contrite act of prayer (by the pouring of her heart through silent tears, worship, and the presenting of the anointing oil (an acknowledgement that the Lord Jesus is her bridegroom) knit a bond of intimate love between her and the Lord Jesus, as that between a bridegroom and his bride. This relationship caused the Lord Jesus to forgive the woman of her sins and make her holy. 138

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Behold I reveal yet another mystery on this relationship of intimacy. When a man and woman engage in sexual union, the woman’s hymen tears and blood oozes out. Likewise, the man’s sexual organ too suffers a tear resulting in the oozing of blood. The male and female’s blood mixes as a result of an intimate union to give birth to a new life. Likewise, when we fellowship with God in an intimate relationship, the Bible says, But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn. 1:7). Do you know that glycerin will remove stains made by a ball-point pen? Boiling water can remove berry stains. Vinegar can get rid of crayon marks. Bleach works well for mildew. Lemon juice performs minor miracles on rust stains. But only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us from all sins and sanctify us. God’s call and command to His people to be holy is not an impossible task. If we would only learn the keys to living holy, then holiness would become an effortless lifestyle resulting from an intimate relationship with the Lover of our souls.

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Chapter 9

The Pathway of Holiness

ISAIAH 35:1,2,8,10 1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, The excellency of our God. 8 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Several years ago I felt led by the Spirit of the living God to fast for 40 days. On the 37th day, as I was waiting on God, I received a vision from the Holy Spirit. I saw myself standing in a beautiful hilly landscape. Towards my left was a small, beautiful hill. Some might think of it as “the” perfect hill for a winter landscape. It was totally covered 141

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with pure white snow. You could not even see a patch of green grass. Where I was standing, a small narrow pathway led into a broad and flat valley. Unexpectedly, instead of flat barren land, an expansive garden greeted me with its exquisite beauty. I’d never seen such a beautiful garden anywhere before. In it was a rich variety with of flora and fauna. The thing I noticed immediately was the richness of the colors of all the flowers and petals. They were sizable. The leaves were so big and broad they seem to stretch out everywhere. And then I noticed an amazing thing. A waterfall. Normally a waterfall would cascade down steep rock formation or precipice. But the strange thing was the river that fed this waterfall was coming from nowhere. There was no source. It just flowed and into the garden. And instead of splashing into garden, water spraying everywhere, the waterfall wrapped itself like a protective throw cloth over a feature furniture piece. The waterfall was flowing down so beautifully, cascading over leaves, petals, and flowers. It terminated in the very the center of the garden, having flowed all over it like a gentle, beautiful river. As I was beholding and wondering about this beautiful garden, I heard a voice behind me saying, “What you are looking at is the Garden of Eden.” I was very surprised. Guess what I was looking for next? Actually, I should say, “who?” - Adam and Eve. As I mused on that the Holy Spirit told me something else: “If you want to enter into that garden, this is the only pathway that you can take. There is no other pathway.” The pathway I was standing on wasn’t big and broad. It was just a tiny footpath. The Holy Spirit continued, “The hill next to where you are standing is the mountain of God’s holiness. And this is the pathway you have to take to enter into the garden.” 142

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I pondered in my heart what this pathway was called. The Holy Spirit, who searches the hearts of all men, answered my unspoken query, “This is the pathway of holiness.” The only way you can enter into that garden, which is your heavenly home, is by having your heart filled and covered over with holiness. No unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of heaven. A Christianity that pampers the flesh goes like this: Whatever weaknesses in your life you are born with it; God has ordained you to have these weaknesses—so live with it; God understands and is sympathetic towards you. You have heard teachings such as these, haven’t you? Unfortunately God doesn’t understand. That is the bad news! If God understands, why would He say, “Crucify your flesh”? If He understands He would have said, “Yes my child, you should crucify your flesh - but it is all right if you can’t. I understand.” If this were the case, you’ll have to put up with telling of lies; you have to put up with adultery; you have to put up with divorces; you have to put up with a homosexual lifestyle, and so on. The very fact why we need to crucify our flesh is because the ‘I’ must die. If the ‘I’ doesn’t die then you are still a perfect disciple of Lucifer, because he is the founder of ‘I’–the epitome of pride - not God. What is this pathway of holiness? It is obedience. The only way to enter into paradise - the heavenly abode - is through holiness. Without walking down this pathway of holiness, no one can stand before the living God. Let me give you an example. Genesis 2:1-25 tells us that from the day Adam was created God came to talk with Adam every day in the cool of the day (Job 7:17,18). God would come and talk with Adam and describe to him all the beauties of creation. But the moment when sin entered, the first couple lost their God-given purity - holiness. They disobeyed God’s 143

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commandment. So they lost their confidence and boldness, without which none of us can come and stand before the Almighty God. The Bible asks us to come boldly before the throne of grace (Heb. 10:19). Without boldness we cannot even stand before God. That is the reason why when we sin, we dare not pray. Have you experienced that? Why is there no boldness? It is because there is something we want to hide. That was the reason why Adam and Eve hid themselves from the presence of God. They hid behind some bushes to hide their shame. The Bible tells us God found them out and later banished them out of the Garden of Eden. Why did God punish them like that? Is it simply because they sinned? All they did was eat one, let’s say, apple. Is it a sin to eat an apple? Doctors say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But it was totally different in Eden. An apple a day brought sin into their lives and into this world. Eating the apple was not the problem. When they sinned, they lost their holiness. Uncleanness cannot co-mingle with holiness in the presence of the Almighty God. The Bible says: “Cleanse your hands you double minded” (Jas. 4:8). This scripture was written for believers and not for unbelievers. Are your hands clean? When we come before God we come often with a “divided” mind. We do not love the Lord our God with all our hearts, with all our minds, and with all our souls (Deu. 6:5). The heart, the mind, the soul, the strength must all join together as one, in perfect unity. The sad truth is that we leave one part of us at home to take care of the children; we leave another part of us to take care of the stock market. Only one part of us comes to church.

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Our hearts are also divided: we love the world and we love God. Such an unholy alliance does not work. You have to choose between the lust of the flesh and the Spirit of life. You cannot have the best of both worlds. Only the devil offers the best of both worlds: “Yes,” the adversary of our souls tempts, “you can go on sinning, for God never stops loving you.” How can we walk in the pathway of holiness? There is only one way: obedience. Many people think that it is so difficult to lead a holy life. Let me show you a short cut. It is very simple to lead a holy life. OBEY. Just one simple word. And it is not that difficult to obey—it’s just doing those things that the word of God commands. The moment you obey you attain, if it be measured or weighed, one inch or one ounce of holiness. Everyday when you obey and you obey and you obey, you are walking in holiness without you ever realizing it or without you ever struggling for it. Holiness then adorns you like a garment clinging on to your body. To walk in the pathway of holiness is to lead an obedient life. When the children of Israel came out of Egypt they went towards Canaan, the Promised Land. Canaan was a land that God promised would flow with milk and honey. Enroute to Cannan the Israelites had an appointment on Mount Sinai to meet with God. What would have been just one day’s journey into Canaan became a journey of 40 years because of their disobedience. Why do you think at times your life seems like going around and around and around in circles, seeming as if you would never reach your destination? Could it be because of disobedience? Somewhere along your walk before God you disobeyed God. Instead of following the perfect will of 145

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God for your life, you carved out a path for yourself. You chose to walk on this path called “The Permissive Will of God.” Will God stop you? No. Would he prevent you? No. Why not? You may wonder. It is because you wanted it. You demanded it of God. To walk in the pathway of obedience into holiness is to carry the cross. The Lord Jesus said: “If you want to follow me, take up your cross and follow after me” (Lk. 9:23). This is the short cut I referred to earlier! What does the cross symbolize? Obedience. In the Psalms, it says concerning the Lord Jesus: “I have come to do thy will, oh God” (Ps. 40:8). The very purpose of the Lord Jesus Christ coming to this world is to carry the cross. We are all born to live. But the Lord Jesus was born to die. What a dreadful sentence for a man! The very purpose why He was born was to die. And we all think that life will continue forever and ever in this world. It doesn’t work like that - think of it! You cannot take DNA genes from dinosaur fossils and then create a Jurassic Park. Only Hollywood could do that. But God has decreed that the soul that sins shall surely die (Ezek.18:4). So no matter how much your DNA is preserved, no one - not now or in the future - can discover the secret to longevity and do you any lasting good. The Bible affirms very strongly that no unclean thing will inherit heaven (Isa. 35:8; Rev. 21:27). The apostle Paul too wrote very clearly that all Christians who practice uncleanness will not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5). Today the subject of holiness has become a big laughing stock amongst believers and Christian ministers. Holiness has become something that is totally unnecessary. If you sin, God understands. All you have to do is say, “I’m sorry, Lord!” and then come 146

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to church to receive communion. A couple of days later, you sin again. It’s ok. No problem. Come back to church. Kneel down humbly and ask for God’s forgiveness. After all, God is love. This kind of sugar-coated theology is now widespread. By saying all that, do I doubt that God is merciful? Absolutely not! I not only believe that God is good but also that God is holy. Why magnify one attribute of God and leave out another? God is good because He is holy. Holiness is the only attribute of God that sets God apart from all other gods. When I was a Hindu, I worshipped 33 millions gods. So what is the one big difference between the God of Christianity and the gods of other religions? If you study the teachings of Hinduism, you would quickly learn that all the avatars of the gods possessed morally dubious beginnings and endings. But look at the Lord Jesus Christ. There was no sin in Him (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Jn. 3:5). He is totally pure and holy. If you are of His seed you too should be pure, holy, and clean. The Lord Jesus is coming for a holy people and not for a compromising church. The cross - ugly, thorny as it is - purifies and cleanses you when you place it on your shoulders. It refines you like silver is refined. The Bible says that God has called us to holiness and not into uncleanness, which includes a compromising lifestyle (1 Thes. 4:7). When you carry the cross and walk after God in obedience, the Spirit of God will refine you (Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:3). Recently, I was preaching at a church in Singapore. As the congregation was waiting to receive a blessing from God during a moment of prayer, the Holy Spirit told me to get everybody to kneel down. The glory of God was 147

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going to come down. By the way, when you wear shoes God’s glory would still come down. But there had been times when the Lord had specifically told me to ask the congregation to remove their shoes (cp. Ex. 3:5; Jos. 5:15). That day, as the congregants were knelt down, I saw the Lord Jesus Christ descend from heaven. Like the Spirit of Christ He came and stood in mid air and began to speak to me concerning the spiritual condition of the church. As the believers responded to the call of God, the Spirit of Christ then transformed Himself into the Spirit of Holiness. The Spirit of Holiness began to flow like a gentle cloud into every hearts. The people then began to bow their faces to the ground before the Lord God. When this happened, I saw the Lord Jesus standing by my side cloaked with an awesome glory. A holy fear gripped my heart. I felt like falling down on my face before the Lord Jesus. The very cloth that the Lord Jesus wore was made of holiness itself. That sort of holiness looked like molten gold. That was how the robe of the Lord Jesus looked like. At that instant, the Lord Jesus stood before the church as the God of Holiness. The Spirit of God is calling the church to walk the walk of obedience unto holiness. Are you willing to take up your cross and walk after holiness?

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