I Peter 2:1-2, 9-12
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
A few days ago, my wife and I had our private Super Bowl party. We arrived home from evening worship service in time to view the end of the second quarter (she barely made it through the half-time show). My wife is not a football fan and she has no knowledge of the players, staff, strategy, or rules. She depends on me to explain all those details.
As a holiness body of Jesus Christ, we have a real challenge that I believe we’re up for. Many in our society today are suffering from an identity crisis: we’re not sure who we’re looking at. There was a time when we saw a police uniform, we could trust that individual represented law and protection. There was a time when we saw an individual with scrubs and a stethoscope, we could trust they were in the medical profession and were going to make decisions beneficial for our health. There was a time when you saw someone with a clergy collar, or clothed in a habit, we could trust that was someone who had been called by God and were looking out for the benefit of our soul. However, we are suffering today from an identity crisis.
There are some individuals who ignorantly don’t care what others think of them. Not only is this foolish, but biblically it goes against Jesus’ example when he asked the disciples what others thought of Him and later what they thought of Him (Matthew 16:13-20). Later, the Apostle Paul tells the church in Corinth that they were living epistles read of men (II Corinthians 3).
I ask you: when people read you today, what do they think?
There was a time the Holiness Church had a strict culture and traditions regarding dress code and recreational activities. The church taught against women wearing pants and makeup. Young men were not allowed to play sports, and no one went to the movies. Perhaps that was a bit much. But I ask you, is today’s Holiness believer distinguishable from the individual who does not know Jesus?
I am not bound to several of these traditions (i.e. dress codes specifically). However, I marvel that some religious groups (the Amish, Hasidic Jews, etc.) have decided they will forego many of today’s fashions and luxuries to protect their lifestyle and identity. I am not advocating we return to the 1920’s and 30’s, but we are told by God to make a difference (Leviticus 10:10). Peter wrote that we are to be peculiar.
When you have an opportunity, read the first chapter in the book of Daniel. The author, a teenage Daniel, and three of his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (better known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego), were taken captive by the Babylonians. They were ordered to serve King Nebuchadnezzar and to eat a specific diet as they were being converted to a new culture. Daniel and his friends refused. They said emphatically that they would not defile themselves with the king’s food. They were so determined that they were allowed a ten-day trial period. When the ten days were over, the king’s personnel concluded that Daniel and his friends were in better condition than their counterparts.
My friends, I pray that you will join me and the Holiness Tabernacle family as we are determined to protect our holiness identity. It won’t necessarily be in the way we dress, or our hairstyles. Rather, we are determined to live holy lives as unto the Lord so that we might be ambassadors for Him.
I bless you in the name of the Lord!