THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

The Apostle John said, “And everyone who has this hope in Him (Jesus) purifies himself, just as He is pure.” The Apostle Paul said it this way:  “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” What God “promises” is to receive us, dwell in us, walk among us, and be our Father if… IF, we cleanse ourselves perfecting holiness. Paul also said: “Put to death your members which are on the earth”, literally a command to kill the carnal fleshly desires of Self and all that is earthly within our hearts.  And, Paul said in another place: “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself ... he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” Notice Paul defines “sanctification” as cleansing ourselves, and states our sanctification prepares us for “good works” making us “useful” to God. James, the brother of Jesus, said it this way: “Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded ... Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” The writer of Hebrews said it this way: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us”, literally let us strip off and throw aside every hindrance (to our relationship with God), and that sin which so readily, deftly, and cleverly clings to and entangles us. And, Jesus said it this way: “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Not may be -- this is not an option -- but “shall” be perfect.  God’s Church... His Body -- the born again blood bought saints of God -- is called to cleanse and purify itself, becoming “a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” This happens as individual saints discard the spots, wrinkles, and blemishes of life in pursuit of the Christlife. As we pursue holiness we are likewise pursuing spiritual maturity... perfection, for the road to perfection is the road of holiness... the road of transformation… the road of being “conformed to the image of His Son.” You see, the Christlife can only emerge in holy vessels... vessels of honor. It is the difficult road less traveled as Jesus said: “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” And for this we need the attitude of willingness... willing to do His will, and Grace... Superabounding Grace.

EndNote: Hear James, the brother of Jesus: “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him … Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works ... But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead … For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Just as Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice in obedience to God, we must offer Self, our carnal fleshly nature, on the cross of Christ as a sacrifice… righteous works, to an expectant God who loves us too much to leave us the way we are! Saints, our transformation into Christlikeness is the most important “good/righteous works” we will ever offer to God, a true act of spiritual worship which pleases God and prepares us for Kingdom life, our ministries, and our giftings. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

These “good works”, to cleanse our-Self, purify our-Self, humble our-Self, are willful acts which align our heart with God’s heart allowing the Holy Spirit to bring forth the character, virtues, values, and attitude of Christ within our heart... perfecting holiness, fulfilling the command/prophecy of Christ: “You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”  God’s expectation should be our goal!

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

(1 Jn. 3:3; Matt. 5:48; 2 Cor. 6:16-7:1; 2 Tim 2:21; James 4:7-10, 2:14-26; Matt. 7:14; Rom. 8:29; Eph. 5:27, 2:10; Heb. 12:12-1; Col. 3:5-10 )