Thoughts for Life: #69 Maturing in Holiness

C. Peter Wagner: Well, if we can't ever by holy enough, can we at least be more holy than we were, say, last year?

Certainly. I believe I can honestly say that I was more holy in 1990 than I was in 1980. I fully hope, plan and intend to be still more holy 10 years from now.

In 20 years, according to actuarial tables, I will probably be holy enough at last, because I will likely be in Jesus' presence!

In their enthusiasm for attaining greater holiness, some have fallen into the temptation Paul was trying to warn the Galatians against.

They have selected certain outward actions or experiences as visible tests of the attainment of holiness or sanctification or fullness of the Spirit.

Members of some churches knowingly wink at each other and say,
"I had my experience in 1986. When did you have yours?"

Some years ago while cutting my hair, a barber told me he had his experience 14 years previously and since then he had never sinned.

The accomplishment of outward standards, good as they might be, is not a biblical approach to measuring holiness. Much more important is holiness of heart or inward holiness.

The direction one is heading is more significant than outward accomplishments, as Jesus' words to the Pharisees in Matthew 6 clearly indicate.

(Google image and emphasis added.)

Warfare Prayer

#69 Maturing in Holiness

By C. Peter Wagner

(pg. 118, 119) Regal Books

Father,

I see that the accomplishment of outward standards,
good as they might be, is not a biblical approach
to measuring holiness. Much more important is
holiness of heart or inward holiness.
May I be more concerned with my heart's attitudes
toward my condition of holiness, and not be busy
judging someone else's measure of holiness.
I ask this in the precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: John 14:15-17 "If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Today’s quotes: Bob Gass - "People truly appreciate it when you make the effort, no matter how small, to try and see things from their point of view. Paul writes, 'Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another' (Rom. 12:10 NKJV). (Taken from his Dec-Jan-Feb devotional, Daily Devotional the Word for You Today.)

Everybody you meet is wrestling with a fear of fighting a battle, and if you're caring and sensitive God will give you a word that can lift them. Isaiah said, 'The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary' (Is. 50:4 NKJV). What a gift—to be able to lift someone who is struggling." (Taken from his booklet, DAILY DEVOTIONAL The Word for You Today, Dec- Jan-Feb, pg 36.)

John C. Maxwell - "Think about a recent setback you experienced. How did you respond? No matter how difficult your problems were, the key to overcoming them doesn't lie in changing your circumstances. It's in changing yourself. That in itself is a process, and it begins with a desire to be teachable. If you're willing to do that, then you'll be able to handle failure. From this moment on, make a commitment to do whatever it takes to fail forward." (Taken from his book, Failing Forward, pg 8).

Some thoughts today: Failure does not have to knock you out.

- When we discover we have a mindset that's blocking us from believing we can do what the Lord directs, read this Scripture:
2 Cor. 4:7. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." NIV

- We forget that to grow we have to do something we've not mastered. To grow, we have to do something we've never done before.

11th- Thursday’s post: #70 Reasons for Outward Standards
C. Peter Wagner

13th- Saturday's post: Wisdom Seekers
Joe Stowell

14th- Sunday evening's post: Joy
Ann Wallace

16th- Tuesday's post: #71 Principles for Warfare
C. Peter Wagner