Can you imagine finding something so amazing, so pure, so transformative but you are not allowed to share this good news with anyone? Thankfully our Lord Jesus does not expect that of us. In fact He expects quite the opposite:
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“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.†(Matthew 28:18-10)
You’ve no doubt heard this saying before but it bears repeating: that passage in the Bible is not known as the Great Suggestion; it is known as the Great Commission. The Random House Dictionary defines commission as “the act of committing or giving in charge; an authoritative order, charge, or direction; authority granted for a particular action or function.â€
As born-again believers we have been commissioned by our Lord Jesus Christ, through the authority given to Him which is in heaven and on earth, to share the gospel and to make disciples, AND “teaching them to observe all that things†that Jesus has commanded.
Jesus expects us to not only obey the Bible, but also to preach and teach it. So then I think we can easily connect the dots in knowing the Jesus wants us to share holiness. Now I don’t mean you’re supposed to share you holiness. Hang on to that! You and I need all of it we can get!
In October of 2010 I did a four-part series titled “Sinners Shall Be Converted†and I used the following passage as my guide:
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“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.†(Psalm 51:10-13)
Beloved we need spiritual cleansing if we desire to not only find holiness, but also to share with others its importance. David asks God to cleanse his heart, to actually start over almost, and to give him an abiding spirit. Why? Because he knew that without it he could not be holy and he would not be faithful in sharing God’s Word and God’s Truth. David also knew that if God did not cleanse his heart then he would be powerless to even see the need to be cleansed:
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“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.†(Psalms 19:12)
It is through holiness that we become evangelists. Why? Because our lives speak the truth of our words. To do otherwise is hypocrisy. But holiness brings a heaviness of heart for lost souls:
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“Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.†(Psalm 126:5-6)
Many a theologian is impressed with his or her Biblical knowledge and wisdom, but the Bible says the highest wisdom is found in those who win souls:
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“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.†(Proverbs 11:30)
Do you want to see a revival spread across America? As the great and gentle Judge Paul Pressler said at a luncheon two years ago, if you want to see Washington change then the hearts of those there will have to change. The same is true for America:
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“Restore us, O God of hosts; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!†(Psalm 80:7)
Analysts and pundits will tell you we are again facing a national malaise because of low consumer confidence and a sense of economic anemia. Friend, that is a mere symptom of what is wrong in America. Beloved, the church is dead in America:
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“Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease. Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, LORD, and grant us Your salvation.†(Psalm 85:4-7)
That is the recipe for recovery in America, not a change of power in Washington. While I will admit it is important that we have godly leaders elected to office, if the electors are ungodly then the root of the problem will stay unchanged (see “The Sin of Entitlement”).
If you want to play a part in rescuing America, then let’s help rescue the church.
If you want to play a part in rescuing morality, then let’s help rescue hearts.
Let’s stop hoarding for the future and seek and share holiness for today.
Would to God that would become the focus of American Christians.
Pray for America. Do not pray that God would bless America.
Let us pray that America would bless God.
I pray for your holiness. I pray for your salvation.
I wish you a restful weekend and please remember to go to church on Sunday.
In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4
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Copyright © 2011 David Jeffers