Holiness

[John Becker]

As Maureen and I have been taking the past two days to pray and fast regarding our future home (where the Lord is leading us to set up home and our ministry base in light of having to move house by 1st May), we reviewed our values re-reading the SOIL manifesto.  These twelve values were birthed out of a journey towards our last transition from Bristol, England to Redwood City, CA.  We affirmed these values and prayed that we would live them out more faithfully, taking greater steps of faith.  Our time here at Dillon Beach in Northern California has provided a great atmosphere to re-engage with Jesus' call on our lives to, "Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well...." Mt 6:33 

In reviewing these values we realized that one was missing. Holiness. A commitment to living pure and healthy lives. Upholding the truth that our bodies are temples of the holy spirit, and our homes being sanctuaries for worship and upright living (Pr 3:33; 1 Tim 5:14; Titus 2). Both our bodies and our homes need to be free from defilement and misuse (1 Cor 6:19). Recently in a sermon on Luke 4:31-32 where we learned of Jesus' authority over the demonic. The teacher, Tabitha, challenged us to live in light of this authority which Jesus has transferred to us. She also encouraged us to take the key out of the doors that we leave open to the enemy.  We must steward our lives and homes in such a way as we do not invite the enemy in. Instead, we live in such a way that we build up healthy habits that guard our bodies and homes from attack and cause them to be peaceful sanctuaries where God is honoured and worshiped. 

[John Becker]

That is right Nate and Angie. We must get the balance right. We are called to love and accept our neighbors as fellow image bearers of God, even when they have different values, beliefs and life-styles. However, our love and acceptance doesn't mean we have to affirm these values, beliefs and lifestyles. We affirm the person, uphold their dignity, reach out to them in our humility as broken people, and point them to the grace we have received. At the same time, the best way we affirm God's commandments is by living them out as best we can.

[Nate Flynn]

Nate and Angie agree. Particularly, when we take the step of faith to love more, to show grace more, to show mercy more, God opens our eyes to His Kingdom's perspective. That's something Angie and I struggle with, showing more grace to others, as we've been shown so much grace. The question is: how do we - in a world full of sexual promiscuity, confused ethics, relativism, new age karma spirituality-- love others -  showing grace and yet showing God's perfect design to them. That design of marriage, sexuality, relationships, money, creation, hell, and heaven.