Revival, Part 8

You would think that these lessons for us would get easier as time goes by, but they are increasingly more difficult. Unfortunately, I am unable to remember or convey what goes on in Sunday School in a little post like this. I so wish I could. Here goes my best effort:

The Highway of Holiness

If there is one thing about this book that I don't like it's that the author doesn't include enough scripture for us. That just means that I have to do it myself (which is fun!).

This past week we looked at Isaiah 35:8-10 and 1 Peter 1:13-25 and I didn't even make any notes for me or you!

In this chapter Mr. Hession speaks of a picture of a Highway of Holiness referred to in Isaiah 35 as beginning with a trip up a hill to a desolate, forlorn looking cross. At the bottom of that cross is a strait gate that we must bow (sound familiar?) low in order to enter. Once we have entered, the cross becomes glorious and bright, the road straight and narrow. We will end his picture with that, although he goes on with more detail, this is all we discussed in SS.

This straight and narrow way is what all who believe and are known of the Lord must walk, it's referred to in scripture as walking in the Spirit.

Somehow the movie, Magic Mike, came up in conversation. One of our members had been invited to see this movie several different times by several different friends. (Yes, she is very friendly and has lots of friends!) This was a perfect way to illustrate how we should walk on this highway. As Christian women, we must never compromise the standards that God has set forth in His word. "Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Tim. 2:19b) When we are faced with a decision like this we must choose holiness. Would the Lord like to go see Magic Mike? I am daring to speak for Him and say emphatically, NO!

What would others who are looking at us think of our relationship with the Lord if we think so little of it that we will choose a movie over obedience? I think they would not think much of it.

Holiness is a command, as we see in 1 Peter 1. We are commanded to walk in holiness with our Lord. Our way will not be perfect and without error. In those times when we do stray from the path, we need to be submissive and humble when our Shepherd comes for us.

My prayer for us all is that we would be more concerned with God's glory than with satisfying the desires of our flesh...that seems easy unless Channing Tatum or chocolate chip cookies are involved.

The Christian life is a life of consistency, of making decisions for Christ every day all day. We mustn't seek emotional experiences or mountaintop experiences, but rather the Lord Himself who alone can fill us and keep us filled.