MONDAY THOUGHTS: HOLINESS?

Insecurity, envy, arrogance, the need to control, and fear, are something else. 

Sometimes I read social media posts, and think to myself, “What bible are THEY reading? 

When did haughtiness and self-righteousness become things that God loves?” 

There’s a difference between crying aloud, and fearmongering, bullying, and manipulation. 

There’s a lot of comparing going on; a lot of finger pointing and critique. If holiness is what some declare it is, I’ll pass. 

Everything about this so-called “holiness” is external, performative, superficial, and smacks of oppression. 

The day that an individual, who possesses a human heart, considers him or herself perfect, is a sad and dark one. 

God goes from being sovereign, to a subordinate sidekick. 

His word diminishes, and one’s choices, actions, opinions, and words become the standard— a standard that is deliberately impossible to achieve and maintain.

Social media has spawned a new crop of Pharisees and Sadducees, and the filthy rags are proudly waving, but clearly forgetting to examine themselves, and definitely forgetting how desperately Christ’s sacrifice was needed— and not just for everyone else. 

Denominations, mis-education, selective Bible reading, and church traditions, have really done a number on people, and rendered them offensive, merciless, ignorant, tactless, and downright nutty. 

It says “peculiar people” not spooky, mean-spirited, catty people. 

No one wants to meet, or know someone if you have poorly represented or introduced them. 

Thankfully, misrepresentation motivates people to get clarity; to seek the truth for themselves. 

If I don’t know someone, I might be inclined to believe what you say about them, especially if you claim to be more than acquainted with them. When I get to know them, however, and your pronouncements and opinions prove to be horribly off, it makes me leery of you.

It bears repeating: God does what He wants, when, where, how, and with whom He wants. 

He is still drawing people to Himself; still instructing, equipping and directing. 

He has not lost control. Never has; never will. 

He will never be without a witness to his power, goodness, faithfulness, patience, and kindness. 

His faithful representatives, and recipient of his grace, know that.