Man's Holiness Verses God's Holiness

As I gain more understanding of the ways of Muslims, I sadly realize how bound they are to their laws---laws which hold the people captive by its power, so they can serve Allah through the insubstantial strength and impaired wisdom of man.

 

 

Christians, on the other hand, are set free to serve God through the all-mighty power and preeminent wisdom of the Holy Spirit within.

 

"By now we have been release from the law,

for we died to it

and are no longer captive to its power.

Now we can serve God,

not in the old way

of obeying the letter of the law,

but in the new way

of living in the Spirit.

Romans 7:6 (NLT)

 

The reason why living by the Law attracts so many is because it gives glory to man. Whereas, living by the Spirit gives glory to God. In the Muslim faith, people are governed by man-made rules to achieve an outward holiness from man, but in the Christian faith, people are governed by the truths of the Holy Spirit to achieve an inward holiness from God.



The Look

Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, was so afraid of being persecuted for his faith in God that he denied knowing Him, not once, but three times. The last time, the Lord turned and looked at Peter.

"At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter.

Suddenly, the Lord's words flashed through Peter's mind:

'Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning,

you will deny three times that you even know me.'

And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly."

Luke 22:61-62 (NLT)

I can't help as I read this story wonder what look Jesus had on His face, when he turned to Peter. Jesus was not only fully God. He was also fully man, so Jesus must have been terribly hurt and heart-broken when His beloved friend betrayed Him. All we know from Scripture is that when Peter saw that look, he immediately left the courtyard and wept bitterly.

As I ponder this scene, I also ask myself a question: How do we, as God's children today, deny the Lord Jesus?

We may not say outright, "I do not know him," but we do say it in other ways. The most common ways are keeping quiet when God wants us to speak on His behalf, or changing His Word, so it is more worldly acceptable. Let's face it, in our society today, being an out-spoken Bible-believing Christian comes with many serious negative consequences. Jobs will be lost, promotions will be withheld, lives will be threatened, bullied or harassed, and friends will depart.

I read in the news recently that the Law Society of Upper Canada has voted to ban Trinity Western College graduates from practicing law in Ontario without even meeting them or without any complaints against them. Why? Because Trinity Western College is a Christian university that stands for the Biblical definition of marriage.

However, despite rising persecution in our society, we must stand firm to the end or one day we will weep bitterly like Peter. We do not want Jesus to look at us the same way He looked at Peter when Peter denied Him three times. It is better to loose jobs, promotions, friends, family members, or even our earthly lives than to loose Jesus.

"You will be hated by everyone

because of me,

but the one

who stands firm to the end

will be saved."

Matthew 10:22 (NIV)

The look on Jesus' face caused Peter to repent. He then went on to become a powerful and courageous witness for God, dying as a martyr for His Lord and Saviour. As a result, many were saved and are living in paradise with him today.

Don't allow fear of persecution to cause us to deny Jesus or the truths in His Word. We must stand firm to the end! and try not to forget what we think the look on Jesus's face was when He turned to Peter after his three denials of Him. That image in our minds will keep us in check.