Biblical Holiness

Hello Students,

Holiness - inward and outward.

A person can have the outward appearance of holiness, yet he or she is not holy.

Example:

I traveled with an Apostolic pastor to and from a class at Purpose Institute. Each time he had his radar detector going to keep from getting another speeding ticket. Sure, he was always dressed modestly with a short hair cut, etc., but was he really holy?

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake." Romans 13:1-5

My wife is Holy! inward and outward.

Outward
Hair
My wife has not cut her hair since she was twenty-two year of age. That was a very long time ago! Her hair is a sign of consecration to Jesus.

Have you noticed a woman with short hair acts differently than a woman with long hair. Does a woman with short hair act more manly than a woman with long hair?


Pants
I have never seen my wife in pants. why? She doesn't have a pair of pants. Just like I don't have a dress.

Why are pants an issue? I hadn't noticed the following. Dana points out the fact that a woman wearing pants moves differently than when she is wearing a dress. Her movements are more manly.

A wife may complain about her husband not treating her as a lady. Well, wife do you look and act like a lady? Or, do you look and acts like one of his good buddies?

The point I am trying to make is that outward appearance may point to an inward spiritual problem or lead to a spiritual problem.

Example:
Someone may dress in a provocative manner causing attention leading to advances from the opposite sex which can lead into fornication/adultery.




In Jesus,
Bruce and Dana

Divorce, Fornication, Adultery

Dear Friends,

Divorce is a nasty, sad, unwanted, frowned-upon topic that divides!

Does Jesus allow for divorce? YES.

"And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." Matthew 19:9

What qualifies as 'fornication'? No one would challenge - physical sex with someone who is not your spouse as qualifying for some aspect of fornication.

When an innocent spouse divorces over this fact, why are they being accused. Why aren't they supported for being Biblical?

The old adage that in a divorce both are guilty is not Biblical. Was Jehovah at fault with divorcing Israel in the Old Covenant? NO.


Who has the perfect marriage?

Many Apostolic pastors don't have perfect marriages! If they could solve their marital problems, they would.

So when a Christian who is married thinks about themselves getting divorced in conjunction with a couple who is getting divorced, they become defensive. They know their marriage is questionable. They become insecure, so they attack the divorcing couple, even though one spouse is not guilty of fornication. They ignore Biblical teaching to protect their own marriage and their own insecurities.


The innocent spouse needs to be supported, not put down.

Do you know what it is like to have a spouse who has been in bed with another?
There are probably hurting Christians in your church who could tell you more than you could spiritually endure!


In Jesus,
Bruce