The Vineyard
Dear Friends,
I am looking a bit more carefully at some of the important words of the New Testament, and this past week I kept coming back to the word, “Agios” (άγιος) which means “holy”, and literally, “set apart from the world for God’s purposes”. In the venacular we often use the word “saint”.
In I Peter 1:16, Peter said, “…for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy."
What’s the primary purpose, on this earth, for the bride of Christ—-His church? To be made pure and holy. The church was not called into existence to reflect the common mores, opinions or polls or our society, but to determine to follow His standard, or measuring rod, and to become and reflect what is pleasing to Him.
So how does He expect me to conduct the affairs of my little camp on Brown Mountain? In a holy manner—-set apart from the manner in which the world does business and set apart solely for His purposes. I fail, every day, to be that perfect holy reflection, but it does not mean that I give up.
And what is God’s one aim for me? To make me holy. Not “acceptable, respectable or a museum piece of fidelity and spiritual discipline, but holy. God came to save mankind for only one purpose—to make men and women holy creatures—-set apart and of use only to Him. And to be holy requires the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit and the fire that removes the chafe.
Is my church, my camp or am I individually there yet? No, and I have a myriad of excuses, but I think sometimes I easily stop trying. Have I given up since I’ve not reached that goal yet of being holy? Oh, there are many who would like for me to give us up——it makes the same ones that don’t try far more comfortable knowing that no one else is trying either! But as recipients of the broken body and pour out blood of Jesus, we might grown in pain, we might cry, but we don’t give up. We reach out for the prize for which we were redeemed in the first place—-to have a perfect, holy, unfettered intimacy with Jesus Christ.
Dale Carneige said something true in business that’s also true within the Christian community: “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” Do you remember that guy that gave up in school or college or business that gave up? Neither does no one else!
“Do I live as carelessly and worldly as unbelievers while professing to be a follower of Jesus? If so, I am exposing Christianity to ridicule and leading people to speak evil of the holy name by which I am called”. Charles Spurgeon.
We must not compromise in our own spiritual walk because it’s tough. Friends, in this world, difficult things take a long time, impossible things a little longer.
Warmly,
Dean Barley
The Vineyard
Dean@VineyardCamp.com
336 351 2070
919 360 8493 (Mobile)
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