“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” Ephesians 1:17-18 (NKJV)
Shhhhhhhh, close your eyes and be mindful of the whispers of your soul. There…do you feel it…that unmistakable longing found in the wellspring of your heart? Ah yes, that call. You know it as well as I do. It’s a yearning for beauty, truth, and purity that beckons you to move ever closer.
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)
Dorothy of Kansas expresses this deeply embedded desire for eternity within all our hearts in song in the beloved movie “The Wizard of Oz.” It’s an upward call to experience the vibrant, heavenly colors of a life lived abundantly that eclipses the uncomfortable sterility of an all-too grey world focused on self. For non-believers, that call to “somewhere over the rainbow” is to be with God; for believers, it is the call to become the person God intends you to be through an ongoing intimate relationship with Him.
“Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland from the album “Over the Rainbow, The Very Best of Judy Garland”
“but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV)
“May I view and long after holiness as the beauty and dignity of the soul.” The Valley of Vision, edited by Arthur Bennett
Before moving on, we need to pause a moment and consider the difference between righteousness and holiness; it’s a mistake to speak of these two terms as if they’re the same because they are not. We become righteous when we accept Jesus as our Savior through double-imputation: our sins are placed on Him while His sinless nature covers us. We will never become more righteous than we are at the moment of our salvation.
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)
Holiness, however, is the Holy Spirit-led process of sanctification that begins at our conversion.
“Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God’s judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.” J. C. Ryle
As we travel the life-long path towards holiness God has set out before us, the fruits of the Spirit are to be made manifest within His children.
“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,” Matthew 3:8 (NKJV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Ephesians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
Let us praise God that He is unwilling to leave us as He found us. He has placed this quest for holiness, our call to Christlikeness, within each believer’s heart.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29 (NKJV)
For what purpose does God pursue our holiness? Jesus says we are in the world, not of the world, yet here we purposefully are as God’s heralds. The truth is the more you look like Christ, the less you will look like the world. And that’s not only good but necessary under His plans.
“They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.” John 17:16-18 (NLT)
According to His purposes, God uses holiness to “set apart” us from the world.
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
“Let your Christianity be so unmistakable, your eye so single, your heart so whole, your walk so straightforward, that all who see you may have no doubt whose you are, and whom you serve.” J. C. Ryle
Can we be truly effective as His ambassadors, His voices crying out in the wilderness if we resemble the world? As believers, it’s essential to ask, “How does the world see us?” Are we recognizable as different, as “set apart” from it? As holy? If not, then why not?
While we could discuss various lifestyle areas that would prove helpful in answering these questions, let’s look at just one today, namely our manner of speech. Does what we say or talk about cause the world to see us as “said apart” from it? Or, do they hear us as one of their own? Do the words coming out of our mouths confirm or deny our claim of being a child of God?
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)
Take a look at this post’s introductory photo again. I spotted the toothbrush in a hotel’s landscaping early one morning while I was out walking our dogs. Can you imagine how filthy it must be? Beyond the nastiness of its surroundings, the brush’s history is entirely questionable, too. The idea of ever using it as an actual toothbrush is repulsive. Yet, considering how abysmally low our society has stooped in its manner of speech, isn’t it reasonable to wonder how many would ever notice how disgusting this brush is if used as intended?
“It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present in us; it is the very sign of His presence.” C. S. Lewis
The truth is the world is awash with “four-letter” rhetoric and angry, hateful discourse. When unleashed, it takes all within earshot unwillingly captive as if it’s a raucous chainsaw violating the serene solitude of an alpine meadow at dawn. Safe havens removed from its grip are few and far between these days. Unfortunately, the world’s influence is so strong that it has managed to creep into some professing Christian’s lives as well, myself included in days now mercifully long past. Given these circumstances, perhaps we should call this misplaced brush a “truthbrush” instead? Brothers and sisters, we are called to the higher ground of beauty and not to a quagmire of ugliness! Do you know this to be true?
“Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.” James 3:10-12 (NKJV)
As God’s children, we are the “happy little bluebirds” Dorothy sings about so longingly. Our heavenly Father calls us to much more in this life than to wallow in the darkness of some murky, oppressive, and stagnant swamp. It’s a noble call to aim high and choose His beauty over the world’s standards, to choose His ways by speaking in such a way that leads and points ourselves and others to the top of God’s mountain high above the swampy lowlands.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
But how do we proceed, Lord? How do we stay true to the path that leads to higher ground?
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
“Take my heart and hold it in Thy hand; write upon it reverence to thyself with an inscription that time and eternity cannot erase.” The Valley of Vision, edited by Arthur Bennett
Yes, Lord, may my heart be Yours!
When we speak, friends, let it be for God’s glory. Let us delight our Father with our voices at all times and in all circumstances. So, what say you? Will you determine to be “said apart” for His glory?
“May every part of my character and conduct make a serious and amiable impression on others, and impel them to ask the way to the Master.” Valley of Vision, edited by Arthur Bennett
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:24-25 (NKJV)
May it be ever so, Lord! In Jesus’s name, amen!
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“Let the Words of My Mouth” by Fernando Ortega from the album “The Shadow of Your Wings: Hymns and Sacred Songs.”
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