Jesus Christ is my God!
Issued 08.08.1999
Holiness
Holiness means being separated from something for a certain purpose or devoting to a certain position. God is dedicated to goodness and in Him there is no wickedness. His holiness is goodness. All evil is unholy to Him.
Devotees
Someone devotes oneself to one's career, another to one's family or hobby. Who devoted his life to his career arranges matters of his family and his hobby according to his job. Who devoted himself to his hobby puts things in his life as the hobby demands. Many try to arrange their lives so that they would be able to dedicate themselves to many things at the same time. For example they try to devote themselves as much to their family as to their career. Although somebody would succeed to do that, it is however possible to keep only one thing as the most sacred one in his heart.
A devoted one often achieves something with good quality. Therefore an employer is pleased with the employee who has devoted himself to his work. A coach of an athletic club is pleased with a sportsman to whom sports is the holy thing. Also God is glad about a believer, who has devoted himself to God.
Devoting to a matter makes man himself the sacrifice that he gives his matter. Dedicating or devoting means always sacrificing oneself. Someone gives oneself to "the altar of science", another sacrifices one's life to one's fatherland.
All dedications have symbolic celebrations where the sacrifice is given in theory. That dedication or oath obliges one to do in practice what was promised. In a military oath or pledge a man promises to sacrifice himself for the independence of his fatherland. In a degree ceremony that is done in a university the received academic degree obliges to live for science. An ordination oath devotes a priest to live to the confession of the church.
Many consider these oaths and dedications only formal ceremonies. The true dedication is certainly always a matter of heart, but oaths and dedication ceremonies affect binding in the level of spirits. They affect also those who gave the oath only for form's sake. In those ceremonies devotees can be participants with demons. "Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons." 1Cor.10:19-20
After the second world war many Germans pointed out, how the military oath that they had given Hitler, had miraculously made them blind. They had dedicated themselves to Hitler and therefore they saw things according to they devotion. In the same way it happens nowadays in Kosovo. Many Serbs have devoted themselves to their fatherland so ardently that they are participants with demons, who have inspired them to do the recent cruelties. So be always careful when you are asked to devote yourself to something.
Someone devotes oneself to one's career, another to one's family or hobby. Who devoted his life to his career arranges matters of his family and his hobby according to his job. Who devoted himself to his hobby puts things in his life as the hobby demands. Many try to arrange their lives so that they would be able to dedicate themselves to many things at the same time. For example they try to devote themselves as much to their family as to their career. Although somebody would succeed to do that, it is however possible to keep only one thing as the most sacred one in his heart.
A devoted one often achieves something with good quality. Therefore an employer is pleased with the employee who has devoted himself to his work. A coach of an athletic club is pleased with a sportsman to whom sports is the holy thing. Also God is glad about a believer, who has devoted himself to God.
Devoting to a matter makes man himself the sacrifice that he gives his matter. Dedicating or devoting means always sacrificing oneself. Someone gives oneself to "the altar of science", another sacrifices one's life to one's fatherland.
All dedications have symbolic celebrations where the sacrifice is given in theory. That dedication or oath obliges one to do in practice what was promised. In a military oath or pledge a man promises to sacrifice himself for the independence of his fatherland. In a degree ceremony that is done in a university the received academic degree obliges to live for science. An ordination oath devotes a priest to live to the confession of the church.
Many consider these oaths and dedications only formal ceremonies. The true dedication is certainly always a matter of heart, but oaths and dedication ceremonies affect binding in the level of spirits. They affect also those who gave the oath only for form's sake. In those ceremonies devotees can be participants with demons. "Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons." 1Cor.10:19-20
After the second world war many Germans pointed out, how the military oath that they had given Hitler, had miraculously made them blind. They had dedicated themselves to Hitler and therefore they saw things according to they devotion. In the same way it happens nowadays in Kosovo. Many Serbs have devoted themselves to their fatherland so ardently that they are participants with demons, who have inspired them to do the recent cruelties. So be always careful when you are asked to devote yourself to something.
One good thing
Dedication to one good thing can put in a good order all affairs of life. In practice people serve many idols and have given themselves on many altars. Some have dedicated themselves only to one thing, but is it so good a thing that it puts also other things in a good order?
God wants that we devote ourselves only to Him. If we do that He promises us the guidance, which puts all other things of our life in good order. Therefore the independence of Finland is not a holy thing to me, but the will of God. What can I do for Finland depends on the effect of God in my life. I cannot solemnly promise or swear anything, because I am not my own. I do not sacrifice my life to my family or career, but I got my wife through the guidance of God and my place of employment is the answer for my prayer.
God has given us an example of the right devotion in Jesus Christ, who gave himself wholly for the will of God: "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me." John.6:38 God's will in His case was that He came to atone our sins. God sacrificed His only Son as the sin offering of our sins that we would be able to be saved. We can dedicate ourselves to God only through this offering.
To be saved means dedicating oneself to God for the sake of the sacrifice of Jesus on Golgotha. "We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Heb.10:10
Man sees God as good and holy, if he sees God's deed in the death and resurrection of Jesus. On the other hand nobody is holy in the eyes of God, if he has not received Jesus as the Saviour of his own sins.
First I must receive the sacrifice which God gave for my sake. After this I can give myself as a sacrifice to Him. "I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God." Rom.12:1
Notice, how dedicated God is to his rescue work, which He has done also for you!
Dedication to one good thing can put in a good order all affairs of life. In practice people serve many idols and have given themselves on many altars. Some have dedicated themselves only to one thing, but is it so good a thing that it puts also other things in a good order?
God wants that we devote ourselves only to Him. If we do that He promises us the guidance, which puts all other things of our life in good order. Therefore the independence of Finland is not a holy thing to me, but the will of God. What can I do for Finland depends on the effect of God in my life. I cannot solemnly promise or swear anything, because I am not my own. I do not sacrifice my life to my family or career, but I got my wife through the guidance of God and my place of employment is the answer for my prayer.
God has given us an example of the right devotion in Jesus Christ, who gave himself wholly for the will of God: "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me." John.6:38 God's will in His case was that He came to atone our sins. God sacrificed His only Son as the sin offering of our sins that we would be able to be saved. We can dedicate ourselves to God only through this offering.
To be saved means dedicating oneself to God for the sake of the sacrifice of Jesus on Golgotha. "We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Heb.10:10
Man sees God as good and holy, if he sees God's deed in the death and resurrection of Jesus. On the other hand nobody is holy in the eyes of God, if he has not received Jesus as the Saviour of his own sins.
First I must receive the sacrifice which God gave for my sake. After this I can give myself as a sacrifice to Him. "I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God." Rom.12:1
Notice, how dedicated God is to his rescue work, which He has done also for you!
God's holy people
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." Rev.4:8 The Holy Father, the Holy Son and the Holy Spirit is the Lord God.
Lord Jesus was once on the cross for our sins.
Now He is on the throne in heaven and
He will come soon back onto earth.
God is holy. He is very unique. He is separated from everything created. He is the Lord who arouses fear and is worthy of respect. Only He has the true power of dominion!
He has decided to call and separate for Himself the nation from the sinful mankind. His people have a share of His holiness. Through Jesus Christ it is possible to get the citizenship of God's nation. "Through Him we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household." Eph.2:18-19
It is important for everyone, who has received Jesus as his Saviour, to become aware of the rights of one's citizenship.Jesus calls his disciples brothers. "Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers." Heb.2:11 Apostle Paul sends his letters to God's people and says, "to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus."
In the Bible it is often said that they who believe in Jesus are saints. The word is the same which is used of God, when it is said that He is holy. Something of God's holiness is transferred to a person when he receives Jesus.
His blood cleans a believer of sins. The share in His death separates a believer away from the sinful generation. The power of His resurrection joins a believer to God's family. "Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves." Col.1:12-13 The migration of people from all nations to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ has been in progress already for 2000 years.
God's holiness is the power that makes the border between the world and God's nation. The membership of a Christian Church is only a share in the earthly association, and it doesn't make anybody a member of God's people. When the membership of a formal congregation is considered the membership of God's people it hides the existence of God's real people.
Saints have their own congregations, but it is very hard to keep them only for the saints. "As in all the congregations of the saints,..." 1Cor.14:33 It is the aim that only those who already are saints join to the congregation of the saints.
Nobody can become a saint by joining to a congregation of the saints. In practice godless persons have often entered the actions of the congregations of the saints and they have polluted them. Fortunately the border between the world and God's people doesn't base on the card files of the congregations, but God's holiness separates the real congregation from the world. Among the churches of the unholy persons there live the groups of the saints of Jesus.
The holy life of Jesus' own means conforming to the holiness of God in daily life. "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." 1Pet.1:14-15
God's nation declares through its holiness God's Holiness. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1Pet.2:9-10
Before receiving Jesus nobody is a member of God's nation and has not got God's mercy. After receiving Jesus you are a member of God's nation and you have got God's mercy. Who is holy continue to be holy still. Jesus' own will live as it is proper for God's holy people.
Thanks God for all His saints. They are scattered throughout all nations and churches with the different names. When saints before unknown to each others meet for the first time, they at once feel the love and good contact. They are like the persons of the same nation who are strangers in a foreign country and become glad when they meet their countrymen.
"Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For You alone are holy..." Rev.15:4 When Jesus has come onto earth with His saints, He will judge all nations. Then it will be said: "You are just in these judgements, You who are and who were, the Holy One,..." Rev.16:5 Then it is not said anymore that He "is to come".
If you are not a saint now, become a saint through Jesus so that you would be able to meet the Holy God. If you are a saint now, endure to be the saint in every situation that you would share more in God's holiness and thus you would have greater joy, when you will see the face of the Holy Father.
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." Rev.4:8 The Holy Father, the Holy Son and the Holy Spirit is the Lord God.
Lord Jesus was once on the cross for our sins.
Now He is on the throne in heaven and
He will come soon back onto earth.
God is holy. He is very unique. He is separated from everything created. He is the Lord who arouses fear and is worthy of respect. Only He has the true power of dominion!
He has decided to call and separate for Himself the nation from the sinful mankind. His people have a share of His holiness. Through Jesus Christ it is possible to get the citizenship of God's nation. "Through Him we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household." Eph.2:18-19
It is important for everyone, who has received Jesus as his Saviour, to become aware of the rights of one's citizenship.Jesus calls his disciples brothers. "Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers." Heb.2:11 Apostle Paul sends his letters to God's people and says, "to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus."
In the Bible it is often said that they who believe in Jesus are saints. The word is the same which is used of God, when it is said that He is holy. Something of God's holiness is transferred to a person when he receives Jesus.
His blood cleans a believer of sins. The share in His death separates a believer away from the sinful generation. The power of His resurrection joins a believer to God's family. "Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves." Col.1:12-13 The migration of people from all nations to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ has been in progress already for 2000 years.
God's holiness is the power that makes the border between the world and God's nation. The membership of a Christian Church is only a share in the earthly association, and it doesn't make anybody a member of God's people. When the membership of a formal congregation is considered the membership of God's people it hides the existence of God's real people.
Saints have their own congregations, but it is very hard to keep them only for the saints. "As in all the congregations of the saints,..." 1Cor.14:33 It is the aim that only those who already are saints join to the congregation of the saints.
Nobody can become a saint by joining to a congregation of the saints. In practice godless persons have often entered the actions of the congregations of the saints and they have polluted them. Fortunately the border between the world and God's people doesn't base on the card files of the congregations, but God's holiness separates the real congregation from the world. Among the churches of the unholy persons there live the groups of the saints of Jesus.
The holy life of Jesus' own means conforming to the holiness of God in daily life. "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." 1Pet.1:14-15
God's nation declares through its holiness God's Holiness. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1Pet.2:9-10
Before receiving Jesus nobody is a member of God's nation and has not got God's mercy. After receiving Jesus you are a member of God's nation and you have got God's mercy. Who is holy continue to be holy still. Jesus' own will live as it is proper for God's holy people.
Thanks God for all His saints. They are scattered throughout all nations and churches with the different names. When saints before unknown to each others meet for the first time, they at once feel the love and good contact. They are like the persons of the same nation who are strangers in a foreign country and become glad when they meet their countrymen.
"Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For You alone are holy..." Rev.15:4 When Jesus has come onto earth with His saints, He will judge all nations. Then it will be said: "You are just in these judgements, You who are and who were, the Holy One,..." Rev.16:5 Then it is not said anymore that He "is to come".
If you are not a saint now, become a saint through Jesus so that you would be able to meet the Holy God. If you are a saint now, endure to be the saint in every situation that you would share more in God's holiness and thus you would have greater joy, when you will see the face of the Holy Father.
The Bible version used in references is NIV