Holiness: The Heart God Purifies - Chapter 8 – The Passion for Holiness

Holiness:  The Heart God Purifies

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

 

Quotes & Summary in White – My thoughts in Red

 

Chapter 8 – The Passion for Holiness

From the outset, his ministry in Oradea was characterized by an emphasis on prayer.  Church members were encouraged to pray for the salvation of the unbelieving friends, relatives and colleagues.  However, this pastor’s burden was not simply for those outside the church.  He was convinced that the revival for which he had been longing and praying for all these years must begin in the church.  He explained to his people that unbelievers weren’t the only ones who needed to repent.  Unapologetically, he stressed the need for the “repenters” to repent.

Lord, may I put an emphasis on prayer in my own life.  May I truly understand the importance of praying.  Of my own need to repent of my sins and turn from them.  Of the need to pray for others so they can find healing.  Of the need to pray for unbelievers so they can know the Savior.  Lord, convict me in this area.  May prayer be like oxygen in my life… something I cannot live without.

Not content to deal in generalities, he was straightforward in pointing out what he viewed as habitual sins among the “repenters”—issues he believed were hindering the church from experiencing true revival.  In our age of moral ambiguity that asserts every person’s right to determine what is right for himself, many will struggle with the stance this pastor took in his church.

For example, he confronted his people about stealing from the state.  The government had confiscated and collectivized the farms and factories, forcing the people to turn over to the government the fruit of their labors.  The people had felt justified in keeping back from their “own” farms and factories a share of what they believed rightly belonged to them.  The pastor preached that this was wrong and led them to take a vow not to “steal” from the government.

Another issue related to the use of alcoholic beverages.. drinking was an accepted part of the culture, even among believers.  The pastor believed that drinking alcohol led to sin, and he challenged the believers to take a vow of total abstinence. 

Many contemporary evangelicals would be uncomfortable categorizing these particular practices as sin.  “While there may be room for discussion, the point is that the “repenters” repented—they began to take holiness seriously; they turned from everything they believed was displeasing to God.  When they did, God sent revival.

How serious do I take holiness?  Am I willing to turn away from EVERYTHING I believe is displeasing to God or do I justify the little things that I kn ow are not right?  Lord, forgive me for justifying my actions so often… for using the excuse that I’m a sinner instead of making the decision to turn from my sins. Help me to take holiness seriously, so that I can walk closely with You… even if the “church” doesn’t view it as a sin may I take it to you and judge it by Your standard of holiness. 

In many of our churches, we’re knocking ourselves out trying to be “relevant” so we can attract new members.  We don’t want to appear to be different, extreme, or too spiritual, for fear of turning off unbelievers.

We have accommodated to the work rather than calling the world to accommodate to Christ.  When will we realize that the world is not impressed with a religious version of itself? Our greatest effectiveness is not to be found in being like the world, it is to be found in being distinct from the world, in being like Jesus.

Lord, in what ways have I tried to be like the world instead of being like Jesus?  In what ways have I allowed my passion for Jesus to dim because I didn’t want to be ridiculed by others? The world doesn’t need a “worldy” Christian… they need one that is following after God and pointing them to the Savior.  One that is living the life God called them to live… Lord, may I be a living example of Jesus to the world.  May I love well, serve well, be humble, forgive well, be full of joy, stand up for the weak…

The absence of revival in evangelicalism today certainly does not reflect a lack of activity and opportunities.  We have more Christian concerts, conferences, programs, strategies, media events, books, tapes, magazines, and radio/TV ministries than any generation in history.  In fact, we have more prayer gatherings and more events and resources geared toward “spiritual awakening” than ever But something is missing.

“Lots of people are praying, and lots of people are repenting, but so few are changing their lifestyle.” The fact is, if people are not changing their lifestyle, they’re not repenting. 

Wow, how true is this statement… we have so much… especially here in the United States.  We have access to so many amazing Biblical teachers, Bibles, concerts, conferences, books, sermons online, etc.  But we need more than that.  It is more than just doing my Bible study every morning and checking it off my “to do list”.  Unless my life is being changed… it is meaningless.  Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to change me from the inside out? Am I different today than I was last week?  Lord… I want to be changed… I want to be growing in You.  I want to repent and turn from my sins. 

 

How important is holiness to you?  How much thought, attention, and effort do you devote to the pursuit of holiness?  Are you intentional about putting away everything that is displeasing to God and living a holy life? Is it your priority—your mission—to be holy?

Wow… I have re-read this for the last few days, wishing I could answer the question differently. There was a time in my life that I could say that holiness was extremely important to me, and I devoted a lot of time and effort to its pursuit… but I cannot say the same thing today.  I can say that I desire to get back to that previous time in my life… where my day wasn’t consumed with what I was going to watch on TV but how much time I had to spend in the Word of God… where I took the time to devote to my walk with the Lord with passion and made it my top priority every day.   

How important is your children’s holiness to you?  Does their sin drive you to your knees? Does it cause you to plead with God to give your children a heart for righteousness and to plead with them to repent?

When Shane lived with me, his holiness was very important… I spent countless hours in prayer for him… pleading with God.  I desired for Shane to know and love God and to turn from his ways.  It was a burden I carried deeply, and I walked 40-60 miles a week and spent most of that time in prayer.  I had a lot of insomnia and spend most of that time in prayer.  I pleaded with God.  When Shane left us, my heart was broken in two.  I still pleaded with God and spent a lot of time in prayer for him.  I prayed daily for reconciliation with him, and that God would heal his heart and draw him back to Him.  As time went on, I continued to pray for Shane… whenever God brings him to mind. I still desire for his holiness and for God to bring about healing in his life.  Even if we never have reconciliation with him, I pray that God would heal his heart and draw him back to himself.  My heart still hurts for him because I know how much he is hurting, and I wish I could take away the pain and point him to the ultimate healer. 

 

How concerned are you about the holiness of the body of Christ? Does it grieve you:

v  When Christians are unloving and unforgiving?

Yes, it does.  It tore at my own heart when I struggled with forgiving those who hurt me deeply.  I know that God has called us to love others. He has also commanded us to forgive. 

v  When they are gossips and gluttons?

This should grieve me more than it does.  I waver back and forth.  I also struggle with it in my own life on occasion. There are times when I am grieved with it… there are other times in which I fall into it’s trap and it does not grieve me as it should.

v  When they have more interest in possessions and pleasure than in spiritual riches and pleasing God?

This is another area in which it should grieve me more than it does. There are times in which I struggle with people (myself included) seeking out possessions and pleasure of the world… there are other times in which I am oblivious to the fact that it is even happening.

v  When they dishonor their parents and divorce their mates?

Yes, it grieves my heart when there is division in the family unit… no matter what the cause.  Even if the divorce is justified and necessary it is painful and has lasting effects… I imagine this is why it grieves God’s heart so much.  He knows the suffering that takes place because of a divorce. He doesn’t want this for anyone, but the world is so full of sin and brokenness.  The situation with Shane has grieved my heart more than anything. The broken relationship between parents and children is devastating… regardless of the cause.

v  When they are self-absorbed and self-promoting?

Yes, it grieves my heart when people are self-absorbed and self-promoting… focused completely on themselves and put others down to build themselves up. God has given me a heart for people, and I have a difficult time seeing others humiliated, because one person feels the need to be built up.

v  When they are cantankerous and contentious?

This is another area in which I waver on how much it grieves me.  I do hate conflict with a passion but at the same time I know that I am not always positive and find myself in a bad mood and arguing with others. 

v  When they use profanity and pornography?

Yes, I have never been a fan of profanity… especially taking the Lord’s Name in vane… it cuts me to my core.  Pornography also grieves me… but I think I have been softened to some forms of it since it is all over in the movies.  I still turn my head away but I should turn the show off when it is full of profanity and pornography. 

v  When they can sin glibly and without blushing?

Yes, it grieves me that people can sin, recognize what they are doing is a sin and have no remorse for it. I know that sin, but my own sin also breaks my heart… I can’t do it without feeling guilty and wishing I could stop.     

What would happen in our day if “repenters” were to repent?  What if believers were to get honest about their sin and serious about pursuing holiness? Might we not once again experience the manifest presence of God in our churches? Might we not see God supernaturally convert multitudes of lost sinners to faith in Christ?

That would be amazing.  Lord, may you bring us to a place that we recognize the sin in our own lives and repent of it.  I don’t want to just recognize the sins, but to turn away from it and pursue holiness. I want to pursue the things that bring You glory.  I want to experience Your presence in my life, in my church, in my small group, in my family, in my relationships. I want to see lost people come to You.  May I be able to participate in the lost coming to know You in some way.

 

If plumbing or septic problems caused raw sewage to overflow into the hallways and aisles of your church, one thing is for sure: The problem would not be ignored.  Everyone would be horrified. 

The fact is that something far more serious than raw sewage is running through the lives of countless professing Christians and most of our evangelical churches.  And by and large, we are oblivious to the threat.  The floodgates of unholiness—including willful, presumptuous, blatant sin—have opened within the church. Adultery, drunkenness, abuse, profanity, outbursts of temper, divorce, pornography, immodest dress—such sins among professing believers, often members in good standing of respected local churches, are no longer rare exceptions. And then there are the more “respectable” forms of sewage that are often overlooked and tolerated among believers—things such as overspending, unpaid debts, gluttony, gossip, greed, covetousness, bitterness, pride, critical spirits, backbiting, temporal values, self-centeredness, and broken relationships.  Sadly, the church—the place that is intended to showcase the glory and holiness of God—has become a safe place to sin.

Wow, when you look at sin in this light, as sewage, which in the eyes of God it is… it has a completely different appearance.  We don’t want to think about our own sins as sewage… we want to glaze over them as if they are not that bad (it was only a little white lie… or I was only getting it off my chest when talking badly about someone else). Sin, regardless of how perverse it is, is a disgrace to God.  It is not something that we should ignore.  It should grieve our hearts and bring us to our knees.  Lord, if I have any “blatant” sins or even any “respectable” sins please open my eyes to them… may they grieve my heart. I want to turn from them.  Help me to walk away from gossip and look for ways to restore relationships.  Help me to forgive those who heart me and not allow them pain to make me bitter.  Help me to not be critical towards others but shower them with the grace I want from others.  Lord, there are so many areas I am prone to fall short.  May the church be a place I can come to and confess my sins and be lifted up because I am seeking You and seeking accountability… not a place that it is safe to sin and not be called out for it.

 

Why are we experiencing such an epidemic of open—and not-so-open—sin in the church today? High on the list of reasons would have to be the fact that for more than a generation, the evangelical church, by and large, has abandoned preaching on sin and holiness.

We have tiptoed around Old and New Testament passages that proclaim the holiness of God, His hatred of sin, and His wrath and judgment against unrepentant sinners, preferring to consider only references to His mercy, grace, and love… If only we were as loath to commit sin as we are to confront it!

Lord, may I be more concerned about the sins of the world than I am about how the world views me because of my view on sin.  I don’t want to win the approval of man by accepting their sins.  I also, don’t want to be their judge when it is not my place.  May I learn the balance between holding the church accountable and not judging others.  May I view sin with the right view… something you hate… something I need to turn from and repent of so I can receive your mercy, grace, and love.  Help me to loath sin and do everything I can to not commit it. 

Have we been lulled to sleep by a watered-down, compromised version of “Christianity”?

He never got accustomed to sin, even when everyone around him had become desensitized… The law of God was written in his heart. And the love for God compelled him to care when that law was disregarded.

Undoubtedly, this change of affairs did not take place overnight. More likely, one compromise led to another and another. … A spirit of tolerance became exalted over a love for Truth.

His love for holiness is seen in his commitment to personal integrity—even in tne “little things”. And it is seen in his boldness in dealing with the sins of others.

Have I been lulled to sleep by a watered-down, compromised version of “Christianity”?  Am I desensitized to sin or am I more like Nehemiah…?  Does sin, my own and the sins of others, bring me to my knees?  Am I compelled by my love for God to confront the sins in my own life and bring them to the cross?  Am I compelled by my love for God to stand up for what is right and speak boldly about the sins in the lives of my loved ones so they too can turn back to Jesus?

Satan knows that the way to sin doesn’t happen overnight… He leads us down a path in which we make one small compromise, then another, then another… until we are in a place we no longer recognize.  Lord, I don’t want a spirit of tolerance.  I want Your Spirit to burn in me and open my eyes to the sins in my life. I want to be so filled with the truth that I can’t help but turn from my sins.  I want to live like Nehemiah and have a deep commitment for personal integrity, even in the “little things”.  I want to be bold in speaking truth into the lives of others and leading them to a life of holiness.

 

The parallels between the story of Nehemiah and the church in our day are striking.  Lots of people who call themselves believers are churning out a lot of religious activity, but we have rewritten the law of God and we have prostituted the grace of God, turning it into a license to sin. The spirit of tolerance has triumphed over the spirit of Truth.  Lust, greed, materialism, anger, selfishness, pride, sensuality, divorce, deceit, ungodly entertainment, worldly philosophies—little by little, we’ve let down our guard, cultivated a relationship with these sworn enemies of God, welcomed them into our churches, and even given them a home there. 

Beyond that, we’ve worked so hard to make lost and backslidden people feel comfortable in our churches that there is little conviction of sin, little life transformation, and little manifestation of the presence of God, who simply won’t make Himself at home in an unholy place. I’m not suggesting that we try to alienate unbelievers in our churches. I am saying that sinners ought to be uncomfortable in the presence of a holy God. And that they will never be truly converted until they have experienced the conviction of God’s Spirit.

Lord, forgive me for allowing tolerance to rule over the Spirit of Truth.  For allowing sins to creep into my own life and not thinking twice when they entered into the lives of those in the church.  Help me to remove them one by one and to stand up for your Holy ways.  Forgive me for the areas of lust I have in my life, for my focus on money which has led to greed and materialism.  Forgive me for my anger and bitterness.  Forgive me for my selfishness and pride; always putting myself first above others.   Forgive me for the ways I have been deceitful… the little white lies. Forgive me for the ungodly entertainment I have watched without conviction.  Lord, there are so many other areas in which I have allowed sin to creep in and be at home in my life.  Help me to turn from it and seek to live a life that pleases You alone. I want to feel the conviction of sin in my own life.

Lord, may we understand that You are a Holy God and cannot be in the presence of sin. May this understanding lead us to living Holy lives and encouraging others to do the same.  I don’t want to point out the sins of others in a prideful way but so they too can come into Your presence. Give me a deep love for the lost and for those who are walking away from You so I can draw them back into Your loving presence. May I be willing to be bold and speak truth into their life.

Where are the men and women who love God supremely and who fear nothing and no one but God? Where are the saints who live like saints—whose lives are above reproach in every matter—in their homes, their work, their speech, their habits, their attitudes, their finances, and their relationships?  Where are the believers whose eyes are filled with tears, whose hearts ache when they see an unholy church partying and entertaining herself to death, and whose knees are sore from pleading with God to grant the gift of repentance?  Where are the Christian leaders with the compassion and the courage to call the church to be clean before God?  The church is waiting for the world to get right with God.  When will we realize that the world is waiting for the church to get right with God?  It is time for the “repenters” to repent.

Lord, I want to be one of Your people who fear nothing and no one but You. I want to live above reproach in every area in my life… in my home, at work, in how I speak to others, in my habits, in my attitude, in my finances, in my relationships, and more.  Any area that is unclean help me to bring it to the cross, repent of it and turn from those sins. 

Lord, I want to grieve alongside of You over the church living in sin… over my own sins.  I want my life to be so consumed with You that I am constantly brought to my knees in praying for others so they may know You or come back to You.  Lord, I lift up Pastor Justin and Ryan… give them boldness in preaching the truth and guiding Generational Hope to be clean before You.  I pray that surrounding churches would be bold in preaching Your truth.  There is so much sin inside the church today and we need bold preachers to call us out on it.  How can we expect to be a light to the lost world if we are living in the same manner they are?  Lord, may our lives reflect Your glory so they can see You and be drawn to Your presence.