Pastor John,
Beth and I were discussing today’s wonderful meeting, and we had to consider what an honor and a privilege from God it is to be given a CHOICE to be holy!
Men whose hearts haven’t been touched by God cannot choose to be holy because holiness isn’t in a man; it isn’t of this world. Without God’s help, men can only choose a path devised from their own sinful heart. Some sins look better than others, and sins that are decorated with money or education often appear to be good, or not as bad, but it is all just sin if it comes from the heart of a man. Jesus said so.
Holiness is from God, not man, and it is not an option for us humans unless Jesus takes his abode in our hearts. Then (and only then) do we have the choice to die out to the fleshly nature we are born into, so we can live according to the new nature of the holy One who now abides in our hearts. And we will all be judged in the end according to our choice.
There are about seven billion people on earth now, and only those who have been filled with the holy Ghost can make the choice to live a holy life in Christ so that they can one day meet God in peace. (Heb 12:14: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.)
What an opportunity from Jesus!
Jerry