Pursue Godliness

This Sunday we will change from the Book of Mark to a new series. In the evening service, we will continue the exposition through Mark, but in the AM service, we will be exhorted to pursue godliness. There is a great neglect of the subject of holiness and godliness in today's church because many do not want their ungodly ways to be exposed. Many pastors themselves live ungodly lives and avoid this subject. The "Holiness movement" that is pervasive amongst Pentecostals and Charismatics seems to be the only group talking about holiness today, yet their theology and practices are anything but holy. The masters of godly living that we desperately need to learn from today were the 17th century English Puritans. Even to this day, to be called "Puritanical" is a dirision that is meant to be an insult. However, if someone were to think of us as Puritans, it should be a badge of honor. The puritans understood the nature of God and because they lived in the fear of God, they lived out lives that reflected the holiness of God. We want to follow in their footsteps and be a people who reflect the character of our holy God because it is that mark upon us that sets us apart as His.

Hebrews 12:14 says "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord."
If we are without holiness, the Bible clearly states - we will not see the Lord. No matter what our profession of faith my be, if our lives are not godly, there is little hope that we are truly born again. Let us pray for God to change us into His likeness and send real revival among His people in this wicked age in which we live.