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Thursday, June 7, 2012

Why a Holy Church is effective in spreading the Gospel

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

As we have looked at why it is that holiness is desirable, we have noted the following:
1. Holiness focuses on desiring God
2. Holiness fortifies marriage
3. Holiness is fundamental to Christian love
4. Holiness frees you from unnecessary sorrow

Today we want to consider the fifth and final reason as to why holiness is desirable: Holiness furthers the gospel (or furthers your testimony)

What does it mean to "profane" and why does holiness alone promote furtherance of the Gospel?
The word "profane" comes from two Latin words: "pro" meaning "from or before" and "fannus" meaning temple.  So to be profane or to act profane is to be so outside God's presence and activity.  We would say in popular terms: To operate outside the known will of God.

To answer the second part of our question, holiness promotes our testimony or furtherance of the Gospel due to demonstrating with our actions what we say about Christ with our lips.  Letting our light so shine means our walk matching with our talk.  When we make "walking in the light as He is in the Light" (1 John 1:6-7) the priority of our fellowship with God, people will know that following Jesus Christ has real-world implications. 

Holiness is central to Jesus' evangelism strategy for His church
Just consider for the moment Jesus' three greatest commands: The Great Command (Mark 12:30-31); The Great Concern for Holiness (Matthew 18) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).  of those three, holiness in the church was the first thing Christ commanded.  Christ new that only a holy church can be effective in spreading the Gospel.  When we desire holiness, we will desire to love as He loved, and thus desire to spread that love to those in need of it.  

To desire holiness will lead to a passion to see His glory cover the earth and for all tribes, nations and tongues hear the Gospel.  Psalm 67:1-2 reminds us - God be gracious to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us - selah. 2That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.

May we desire holiness - for in doing so we will desire Him.