A holy man of God ...
"I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God" (2 Kings 4:9).
What a wonderful reputation Elisha had. He was known as "a holy man of God" - What a reputation to be lived up to! How can any sinner become a holy man of God? This is the work of God's grace. No-one can make himself a holy man of God. God must do this, working in us by His power and His love. Holiness comes to us from the love of God and the power of God. The desire for holiness comes from the love of God. It begins when we see ourselves as sinners - and we is begin to long for something more of God in our lives. In His love, He assures us that it can be done - we can be changed. We can be made new. We cannot do this for ourseves, but God can do this for us. By His power - the power of his love - He changes us. We will never be without sin. We're sinners. We can't change that. This side of heaven, we can't get away from our sin - but we do have God's promise: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). God doesn't forgive our sins - and then leave us exactly the way we were before we received His forgiveness. He leads us on His "highway of holiness" (Isaiah 35:8). Often, we will fall from this high way, but, each time we fall, He will lift us up again. He will set us on our feet again - and lead us forward on His highway of holiness. Often, we will fail him, but He will not fail to fulfil His great purpose of love. By the way of true holiness - holiness which never loses sight of His love, He will lead us on to His heavenly and eternal glory. As we travel on this road, deeply conscious of our own weakness,we can only say this: To God be the glory! - "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:23).
What a wonderful reputation Elisha had. He was known as "a holy man of God" - What a reputation to be lived up to! How can any sinner become a holy man of God? This is the work of God's grace. No-one can make himself a holy man of God. God must do this, working in us by His power and His love. Holiness comes to us from the love of God and the power of God. The desire for holiness comes from the love of God. It begins when we see ourselves as sinners - and we is begin to long for something more of God in our lives. In His love, He assures us that it can be done - we can be changed. We can be made new. We cannot do this for ourseves, but God can do this for us. By His power - the power of his love - He changes us. We will never be without sin. We're sinners. We can't change that. This side of heaven, we can't get away from our sin - but we do have God's promise: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). God doesn't forgive our sins - and then leave us exactly the way we were before we received His forgiveness. He leads us on His "highway of holiness" (Isaiah 35:8). Often, we will fall from this high way, but, each time we fall, He will lift us up again. He will set us on our feet again - and lead us forward on His highway of holiness. Often, we will fail him, but He will not fail to fulfil His great purpose of love. By the way of true holiness - holiness which never loses sight of His love, He will lead us on to His heavenly and eternal glory. As we travel on this road, deeply conscious of our own weakness,we can only say this: To God be the glory! - "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:23).
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