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02-09-01

This word is submitted by Carolyn Wies (jimmy@edify-ministries.org)

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Holiness unto the Lord

I take issue with you, says the Lord, regarding holiness in your lives. Some have taken My call to live holy and have called it legalism. You have deemed My call to be in this world but not of it as too great a call for you, so you continue to compromise and eat at the table of this world and her temptations. You ask yourself: How much sin is too much sin for you? The real question is: How much sin is too much sin for Me?

I have given you grace so that you may live Holy! Grace is not provided for you as an insurance that you might live as you wish and have the bounty of Heaven also. This life determines your future state in all eternity. Grace is your substance from heaven- My gift to you at great price to Me. Grace to be strong and live above the downward pull of the things that cause good men and women of high calling and noble purpose to be reduced to the price of a loaf of bread. Some never recover, but I have better things for you.

Holiness is the foundation of My house. Righteousness are the pillars that uphold My very nature. I call you to be men and women of righteous character and holy hearts before Me and before this world you stand before as My witnesses. There is not enough difference between the church and the world for them to take serious notice, but there is arising a people who will take Me at My word to live holy and be carriers of My Presence them. Many of you long for this and it is the cry of your very heart. Are you willing to take up the call to a deeper place of your priestly calling and like priests of old, will you wear upon your foreheads the brand: Holiness to the Lord? Their very lives were holiness unto Me. I call you to be set apart unto Me.

Holiness is not merely external disciplines. Holiness is an attitude of separation unto the Lord that works its way throughout every area of your life - thought, word and deed; every motive and intent of the heart. Holiness is the outworking of My character in your life. It is worked in by every decision of your heart to do what is right in My sight and to come to Me in repentance when that mark has been missed. Not from fear, but from a sorrow that sin has caused a moment of separation between us. Godly sorrow still works repentance and repentance always brings reconciliation. Are you sorrowful or do you take My grace too lightly? I love you and desire you to know that love to the very depth of your being, but you must also understand the saying: Behold the kindness and the severity of God. To the pure I will show Myself pure, but to the crooked, I will show Myself afar off and that will be very severe. The rain falls on the just and the unjust and the judgments of the Lord are clean and righteous altogether - there is a judgment for My people that will determine eternal things.

Holiness of heart and spirit. This is what I desire. A holiness that is worked throughout your very being. This is what gave Jesus His power and authority over the enemy. It will be no less for you. Upon the cross He groaned in agony: "It is finished". The crowning moment of His very destiny for which holiness had prepared Him. Will you let that same work of holiness prepare you for your crowning moment of destiny? It is the only way you can face the days to come with confidence and have the authority of heaven behind you. I have come with a word to My church to cause her to see who she is to be - holy and blameless before Me. And I call you to remember My word which has come to test you - Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.