I read a post by Jason today about the need for holiness to again be championed by the church.  It seems to be an essential element of our ability to help the light of Christ shine in this world.  My comment took on a life of its own so I am asking you to read Jason’s article but I am modifying my comment to post here. 

I am in total agreement with Jason that there is a serious need in the church in America to come back to holiness.  Since the light of Christ can never be overcome by the darkness of the enemy, the dimming we ascertain is due to the position we have “between” the light of Christ and the darkness of a lost world.  If we were all transparent enough to allow Christ’s light to shine through us as He intended, we would see the darkness fleeing the light.  Instead we obfuscate when we should be helping to illuminate. 

I believe holiness is the key to our transparency.  Jason asked the following…

“With this said, what do some of you think about the lack of holiness being preached and expressed in the church today? (note: I am not talking about dresses and make-up”

I believe this is a very real factor in the equation. Holiness is mostly omitted or confused with legalistic ideas.  And we certainly don’t live as separated from the world, soldiers in the army of God.  Look at Dees post over at Hope Aflame.  We are so tied into the world it is no wonder the skeptics see no difference between us and them. 

Our constant need for “stuff”, for “entertainment”, for “acceptance”, for “influence”, ad infinitum, is diametrically positioned in relation to our mission to reflect the light of Christ.  When are we going to get it through our thick, titanium clad skulls that this is not about us.  It is about our neighbor and our enemy over us and about Jesus over even them. 

But serving Christ cannot be done if we never serve the others first.  And we can only do that by allowing the light to shine through us and that takes the transparency that is only achieved by holy living.

Jason also asked…

Also, do you feel that Pentecostal churches are feeling pressure to abandon the gifts of the Spirit in our services with the fear of people being uncomfortable?

I have to say that it may be that God Himself might be tired of some of the things we have been calling gifts and manifestations for so long.  Before going any further let me assure all that I am a FIRM believer in the supernatural gifting and moving of God in this time and place.  The very way God brought me to my knees in repentance and to salvation is all the evidence of this that I need.   

But what I mean about God being tired of our “antics” is this. 

Just look at what the vast majority of Pentecostals are seeking and being thrilled at in any given revival.  Slain in the Spirit, speaking in tongues, shouting, jumping, running the isles and I have even heard many boast of people jumping on the back of pews and running them.  Not sure what they call that. 

My question is simply, how do these things truly glorify God.  My falling down on the floor at the altar, which has happened by the way, did what for any lost soul?  Speaking in tongues has been elevated to the level of being worthy of worship itself.  Aren’t we to worship the gifter and not the gift?  Shouting, running, jumping does exactly what to help fulfill the great commission?  And I won’t even say anything about pew back running or picking up hot coals with bare hands or gold dust or gold teeth or…

What saddens me, and I wonder if it saddens God also, is our acceptance that this is all there is and we go away thrilled with the great service or revival.  Where are the miracles that really have the potential to impact lives?  Where are true, verifiable healings?  Where are all the truly changed people?  Where are the lasting deliverances from the activity of the adversary? 

I have experienced many, and am not bothered by any, of these things.  And even on occasion felt closer to God because of it.  As I said, I am saddened, but only because I know there could be so much more.  Are we just settling for what makes us happy at the moment?  And as far as it goes, if God is willing to allow us to have this level of gifting even though we are not very holy, what would we be able to do if we really did come back to holiness?

Some of the new, more postmodern Christians are probably not willing to accept or be comfortable with some of what we call Pentecostal gifting and manifestations.  But I would like to know if they could handle a paraplegic getting out of a wheelchair or a blind man gaining his sight in one of their altars.  I believe they would find this to be cause to sit up and take a fresh look.  I know I anxiously await it in my church. 

I just wonder if we might need to get rid of some of the excess first.

And I don’t have to wonder at all about the necessity to live a holy life before and for our God and King.  There just is no question about this.

Transparency is the need in this moment of darkness.  Then, and only then, can the Light shine through.

Love you all   

Tags: America, army of god, christ shine, darkness, Entertainment, Healing, Holiness, Love, Miracles, neighbor, Pentecost, Pentecostal, Salvation, Self, Supernatural, transparency