Exhortations to Holiness

Here is is a wonderful exhortation to Holiness by pastor Claude Duval Cole. We have covered so far the essentials about God's holiness. Starting next week, we will begin to be more practical and will examine how we can become more holy in our daily lives.

DEFINITIONS OF DOCTRINE
Volume I
The Doctrine of God
Chapter 23

The Scriptures abound in exhortations to holiness. "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). We are exhorted to lift up holy hands in prayer: "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (I Tim. 2:8). "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14). "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children" (Eph. 5:1). All these exhortations to holiness are addressed to believers, and show that we are not personally 'holy.' "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness" (Ps. 17:15). We are holy in Christ now; we will be personally holy when we are glorified, for our glorification will be our personal holiness.

It is a principle of universal recognition that all imitation of others is from an intense love and admiration of their persons. And we become like those with whom we associate. The heathen are so wantonly wicked because their gods are represented as vulgar and vicious. It is said that Plato wanted to have all the poets banished, because, in their poems, they dressed the gods in such wicked and vicious garb, thus encouraging the people to commit crime.

Take Time to Be Holy

Believers, in the pursuit of holiness, must take time to meditate upon the holiness of God. "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night" (Ps. 1:1-2). It takes time to be holy. Sin cannot be banished by a single gesture or an occasional look at the good and beautiful. Meditation upon the holiness of God will develop a spirit of meekness and humility, "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (I Peter 3:4). Comparing ourselves with ourselves may lead to pride and boastfulness, but when we are occupied with thoughts of the holiness of our Savior we will be filled with reverence and godly fear. "What torch can be proud of its own light when compared with the light of the sun?"

The temple of Incas at Cuzco, Peru, consisted of three walls, north, south, and west. The eastern side of the structure was open. The walls were smoothly plastered, and overlaid with finely hammered gold. These people were sun worshippers, and this was the way they worshipped: they would come to the temple just before dawn and stand in the opening to the east, facing the western wall. In front of them and on either side was a golden mirror. The sun would rise at their backs, and long before they could see it directly they could see its reflection in the western wall, and be covered with its golden light. Their faces would be illuminated, and their bodies would be literally bathed in light. Now the Gospel covenant is a mirror into which the believer looks with unveiled face at the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, and ultimately will be entirely conformed to His image. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (II Cor. 3:18). Occupation with the holiness of the Lord will change us from one degree of holiness to another degree of holiness."And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints" (I Thess. 3:12-13). "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness" (I Thess. 4:7). "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14)

"Holy God, we praise Thy name!

Lord of all, we bow before Thee;

All on earth Thy scepter claim,

All in heaven above adore Thee;

Infinite Thy vast domain,

Everlasting is Thy reign.

"Hark! the loud celestial hymn,

Angel choirs above are raising:

Cherubim and Sehaphim

In unceasing chorus praising,

Fill the heavens with sweet accord

Holy! holy! holy! Lord!

"Holy Father, Holy Son,

Holy Spirit, three we name Thee,

While in essence, only one,

Undivided God, we claim Thee;

And, adoring, bend the knee,

While we own the mystery."