Flow with God's Holiness & You'll Flow with God's Power

"This book is a powerful instrument that God used to bring me a deeper revelation of His Perfect Holiness, and in turn His unfathomable love. Shedding tears of joy and awe-stricken at times, it was clear as I read it that the Holy Spirit is all over this book. I believe that He will use it to bring freedom and much needed revelation to His flock through the Biblical truth that it contains." R.H. Rainham, England

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"There is nothing more lacking in the Charismatic movement today than commitment, consecration and respect for the things of God." Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin

"I find nothing in the Bible but Holiness. I find nothing in the world but worldliness; therefore, if I live in the world I will become worldly. On the other hand, if I live in the Bible I will become Holy." Smith Wigglesworth

"Christian America has not experienced great, consistent manifestations of God's power for nearly sixty years. This is because Christian America, in her great God-given wealth and spiritual complacency, has shown contempt for the Holiness of the God Who has protected and provided for her. The power of God is a manifestation of the Holiness of God. An individual, a church or a nation's power with God is always equal to its holiness before God. When individuals, churches or nations show contempt for God's Holiness, they must both learn to live without His Holy power and prepare to face His loving judgment. Repentance, reverence and a restoration of Holiness is the answer to Christian America's present judgment." Pastor John Hamel

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Live Table of Contents

      Chapter One:  God Is Holy

Chapter One:       God Is Glorious in Holiness

Chapter One:       The Very Road to God's House Is Holy

Chapter One:       Holy God Lives Upon an Holy Mountain

Chapter One:       Holy God Lives Within His Holy Capital City

Chapter One:       Holy God Lives Within His Holy House

Chapter One:       Holy God Sits Upon an Holy Throne

Chapter One:       Holy Men & Holy Angels Eternally Acknowledge Holy God

Chapter One:       Holy God Dwells Eternally Amongst Holy Men & Holy Angels

Chapter One:       Heaven's Horses Are Holy

Chapter One:       Everything Concerning God Is Holy

     Chapter Two:  You Are Holy

Chapter Two:      No More Holy Places or Holy Things - Just Holy People

Chapter Two:      Holy God Prophesied Man's Restoration to Holiness

Chapter Two:      Sanctification Comes Through the Word of God

Chapter Two:      Sanctification Comes by Faith

Chapter Two:      Sanctification Comes by the Person of the Holy Spirit

Chapter Two:      Sanctification Comes by the Person of Jesus Christ

Chapter Two:      Sanctification Comes by the Offering of Jesus' Body & Blood

Chapter Two:      Sanctification Comes by the Will of the Father

    Chapter Three:  Flow with His Holiness & Flow with His Power

Chapter Three:    Holy Living Is Simply Cooperating with God's Holy Word

Chapter Three:    1 Corinthians 6:9-11 The Amplified Bible

Chapter Three:    Galatians 5:19-26 The Message Bible

Chapter Three:    Philippians 2:12-16 The Amplified Bible

Chapter Three:    Colossians 3:1-4:2 The Message Bible

Chapter Three:    Romans 6:6-14 The Message Bible

Chapter Three:    Receiving Holy God's Incomprehensible Forgiveness: The Final Frontier

Chapter Three:    Prayer of Repentance & Restoration

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Chapter One: God Is Holy

“To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.” (Isaiah 40:25)

Holy God is incomparable. This means there is no one to compare to Him. There is no one equal to Him. He alone is Holy. This is why He calls Himself “The Holy One.” 

Holiness is the one primary attribute of God that absolutely sets Him apart from all other beings or things. Holiness speaks of differentiation. God’s Holiness sets Him entirely apart from anything that is common or profane. His Holiness is singular. 

God is so unique in His Holiness that He is awe-inspiring.

His Holiness, when contrasted to man’s sinfulness, was referred to as “terrible” by Nehemiah in prayer.

“I beseech Thee, O Lord God of Heaven, the great and terrible God that keepeth Covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His commandments.” (Nehemiah 1:5)

Nehemiah was not referring to God’s terribleness as in wretchedness. He was referring to God’s awe-inspiring Holiness when contrasted to man’s sinfulness.

King David was also so awe-stricken by the Holiness of God when contrasted to man’s sinfulness that he, too, used the descriptive term “terrible.”

“O God, Thou art terrible out of Thy holy places: the God of Israel is He that giveth strength and power unto His people. Blessed be God.” (Psalm 68:35)

Holy God has no peers. He is without rival. He stands in relation to the world as its Creator and Lord.

Holy God is so infinitely and eternally set apart from all that exists that He is known to Himself as “I AM THAT I AM.”

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:14)

The Prophet Isaiah used the title “The Holy One of Israel” no less than twenty times in his prophetic book. 

“…they have forgotten the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.” (Isaiah 1:4b)

Isaiah used this title so frequently because it placed the sins of Israel in stark contrast to God’s absolute moral perfection. He used it to express God’s total separation from all the evil that was occurring in Israel in his day. Isaiah fully realized that Holy God is the personification of excellence. 

When we refer to God as “Holy” we are affirming that He is uniquely matchless and to be hallowed as entirely sacred.

Holy God alone is worthy of worship and adoration since He alone is utterly superior and magnificent.

God is not just powerful. God is Holy. As a matter of fact, God's power is a manifestation of His Holiness.

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God Is Glorious in Holiness

When God rescued Israel from Pharaoh, drowning the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel burst forth into song.

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake saying, I will sing unto the Lord for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea … Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:1,11)

The ten plagues, the mass exodus and the drowning of the most powerful military force in the world at the time not only proved Who was powerful and who was not. It also proved Who was Holy and who was not holy. 

Almighty God's power is a by-product of His Holiness.

Israel's use of the term “glorious in holiness” is an expression of God’s essential nature. He is the absolute personification of excellence, morality, truth and honor.  It was in His Holiness, not in His power alone, that He performed such magnificent miracles for Israel.

That same Holiness is available to the Believer in Jesus Christ today. Those who accept the Master Jesus as Lord, pulling themselves in line with His Holiness, can also experience signs, wonders and the miraculous.

The Apostle Paul referred to pulling oneself in line with God's Holiness as "putting on the new man."

“In that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24)

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The Very Road to God’s House Is Holy

“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” (Isaiah 35:8)

The “Way of Holiness” is not a reference to a way of life.  It is an actual, literal highway that will stretch from Egypt to Jerusalem at the time of the coming New Heaven and New Earth. 

What this passage actually says is, “And an thoroughfare shall be there, and a road, which shall be called the Way of Holiness.”  

This is a reference to the literal highway that will be traveled by the Redeemed of the Lord for all Eternity as they come and go from Zion to have an audience with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

The road is called the Way of Holiness not only because it leads to Holy God’s habitation.  It is also called holy because it will be traveled by God’s holy people.

“But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Here the Word of God says Jesus has provided sanctification, or Holiness, for us. In doing so Jesus gave us the same standing with God that He has. This is the ticket which will allow us to travel the thoroughfare called the Way of Holiness.

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Holy God Lives Upon an Holy Mountain

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness.” (Psalm 48:1)

The "Way of Holiness" or the Highway of Holiness leads God's holy children up to the mountaintop where God lives.  Not only is the highway holy, but the Bible says the very mountain itself is holy.  On top of the holy mountain is the holy city where God lives.

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Holy God Lives Within His Holy Capital City

“And I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth: for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:1-2)

Here we have the revelation of God’s future plan to move Heavenly Jerusalem right down here to Planet Earth and place it in the present location of earthly Jerusalem. 

This is why Satan is so tireless in his efforts to destroy Israel and Jerusalem.  His mind has been so affected by his fall that he actually believes if he can destroy Israel and Jerusalem God will have to make some amendments to the Scriptures, bend and adjust some prophecies and go live somewhere else. Well, that is just not going to happen!  

God will set up His City in the exact location of present-day earthly Jerusalem and it will be an Holy City.  Within that Holy City will stand God's Holy Residence.

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Holy God Lives Within His Holy House

“Look down from Heaven, and behold from the habitation of Thy holiness and of Thy glory: where is Thy zeal and Thy strength, the sounding of Thy bowels and of Thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?” (Isaiah 63:15)

Here Israel petitioned God for His help with their enemies.  In doing so they made clear reference to “the habitation of Thy holiness.” 

The word “habitation” is actually “residence" or "dwelling place.” I would not be surprised if America's White House in Washington, D.C. turned out to be quite similar in appearance to God's Holy Habitation. However, in God's Capitol Building, located within His Capital City, there will be no shenanigans or backroom deals to undermine Israel's security. Every decision made in this House will be in defense of the preservation of Israel.  

God is an Holy God.  He lives and governs from within an Holy House, a Capitol Building actually, which sits in the center of an Holy City, His Capital City, on top of an Holy Mountain.  To get to God's Holy House within His Capital City, an Holy People must literally travel the Highway to Holiness.   

Within that Holy House our Holy Father actually sits upon His Holy Throne.  

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Holy God's Sits Upon an Holy Throne

“For God is the King of all the Earth: sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness.” (Psalm 47:7-8)

The Bible says God sits upon an Holy Throne within His Capitol Building.  The Throne is an actual seat. 

God's Holy Throne is mentioned 40 times in the Book of Revelation alone.  It is not only the center of all the activity that occurs within the Book of Revelation, it is also the center of all the activity that occurs throughout all of Creation.

Someone always asks, "Do you believe there's life on other planets or in other galaxies?"  It is not possible to answer that question factually. However, if there is life beyond Planet Earth, Jesus is Lord there and Holy God governs it from His Holy Throne Room. All that exists was created by Jesus and is governed by Holy God.

"For it was in Him that all things were created, in Heaven and on Earth, things seen and unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him." (Colossians 1:16 Amplified Bible)

God sits upon His Holy Throne in the same way a human being would sit upon a throne because He has a body like a human being has a body. (Exodus 33:18-23)  

God's body is made of an higher materiality than a human body, but it is a body nonetheless. 

We look like Holy God and Holy God looks like us.  We are created in His image and likeness.

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them." (Genesis 1:27)

We are shaped like Holy God outwardly and when we make Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of our lives, we actually become holy inwardly, even as He is Holy.

We also become immediately seated with Christ in Heavenly places to the right side of God's Holy Throne. This is a place of great favor and of tremendous authority.

"But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-6)

The Apostle John saw something outstanding in his Divinely-granted vision of the Throne of God.

"And immediately I was in the Spirit: and behold, a Throne was set in Heaven, and One sat on the Throne. And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the Throne, in sight like unto an emerald." (Revelation 4:2-3)

John saw a literal emerald-colored rainbow radiating from the Person of Holy God surrounding God's Holy Throne. I believe the emerald-colored rainbow John described to be the radiant energy of Almighty God emanating from Him.  The Bible calls it "Eternal Life" and God's "Glory."  I have personally seen this emerald green, radiant, living Glory a number of times over the course of the past thirty plus years. 

It is this same radiant Glory that causes the dead to be raised, missing limbs to grow back, multiple tumors and cancers to be removed, blind eyes to see and deaf ears to hear. 

The Prophet Daniel also saw something amazing about God's Holy Throne in his dream concerning future world empires.

“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.” (Daniel 7:9-10)

This scene depicts the Final Judgment of the Nations of the World.

Daniel, like the Apostle John, actually saw Holy God, the Ancient of Days, not Jesus, sitting in bodily form on that Holy Throne.  Holy God was wearing garments even as we wear garments.  Daniel saw the hair on His head.  Daniel actually saw the Person of Holy God and His Throne was literally blazing with fiery flame.  

Notice something that is most amazing concerning God's Holy Throne. Daniel saw that it had wheels which were made of fire.  

God's Holy Throne has wheels because it is a Chariot-Throne. 

God’s Holy Throne is readily transportable with Him at the helm.  This may be a new thought to some, but it is true, regardless. It was this same Chariot-Throne that God used to personally come to Earth to pick up the Prophet Elijah and escort him to Heaven.

"And it came to pass as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into Heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the Chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more." (2 Kings 2:11-12)

Holy God's Chariot-Throne is not the only way He travels, but it is indeed one of the ways He chooses to travel. (2 Kings 6:17; Psalm 18:10; 68:17; 104:3; Matthew 17:5) 

Notice also back in verse ten of Daniel chapter seven that thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Holy God as the Books of Judgment were opened. These millions of individuals, over one hundred million actually, both angelic and human, continually call attention to God's Holiness.

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Holy Men & Holy Angels Eternally Acknowledge Holy God

“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, Who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:8-11)

All of these living beings, angelic and human, continually acknowledge the Supremacy and Sovereignty of a Holy God Who gave them life, Who made them holy and Who gave them those Crowns of position, power and privilege.  

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Holy God Dwells Eternally Amongst Holy Men & Holy Angels

“Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.” (Jude 1:1-2)

Here Jude reveals by the agency of the Holy Spirit that Believers in Christ are "sanctified by God the Father." Sanctification is simply another word for "holiness." 

Holy God sent Jesus to purchase holiness for us with His Blood.  Holy God personally conceived this plan.  Holy God personally initiated this plan.  Holy God has personally put His stamp of approval upon this plan.

We will further see in "Chapter Two: You Are Holy" that Holy God has supernaturally made His children to be holy even as He is Holy. Who are we to argue with Holy God?  Are we smarter than God to say, "I am not holy"?  I know I am not smarter than Holy God and I have proven it repeatedly.  If you will be honest with yourself, you, too, will acknowledge that you are not smarter than Holy God.

God is a just and a fair God. He is our Creator as well as our Father. He is also our Lawgiver and Judge.

"For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)  

If Holy God, our Creator, Judge, Lawgiver and King, says making His children holy by the Blood of Jesus Christ is just and fair, then it is just and fair indeed. End of story. 

Some people have tremendous difficulty receiving a healing, a blessing and answer to prayer, etc., because they cannot figure out how something like this could be possible and thereby reject God's Gift of Holiness.  They think wrongly about themselves, grieving Holy God and blocking the power flow. Until one learns to cooperate with, or to flow with, the Holiness of God they cannot possibly flow with the power of God. 

If that is you, simply say, “God forgive me for my unbelief. You are Holy and You have made me holy through Christ's redemptive work at Calvary. I receive Your Gift of Holiness, in Jesus' Name.”

This is why I always say, "Christ's work at Calvary far outweighs Satan's work in the Garden. The most microscopic drop of Jesus' Blood is far greater than the greatest concentration of evil." 

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Heaven's Horses Are Holy

“In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Hosts.” (Zechariah 14:20-21)

The Bible reveals that even the horses in Heaven are holy unto the Lord. 

By the way, Zechariah chapter one reveals that God and Jesus both ride holy horses in Heaven. Not only do they ride horses in Heaven, but they also travel from Heaven to Earth and back again on horseback. (Zechariah 1:7-17; 2:1-5; 3:3-8; 4:6)  

Also, if you have loved ones in Heaven they ride horses as well.  As a matter of fact, every Saint in Heaven is coming back with Jesus, riding on white horses, clothed in white linen to fight victoriously in the supernatural Battle of Armageddon.

"And I saw Heaven opened and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True and in righteousness doth He judge and make war ... and the armies which were in Heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean." (Revelation 19:11-14) 

The Redeemed of all ages and all the angels of Heaven are coming back to Planet Earth on holy white horses to whip the fire out of Satan, demon powers and all who stubbornly adhere to their doctrines.  

Someone said, “But I’m allergic to horses and I’m afraid of them, too.”  In Heaven there are no allergies. Neither is there any fear of anything, including horses, for any reason. 

The Saints who are in Heaven are presently being trained for their roles in the Battle of Armageddon.  Those who will be raptured at the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation period will spend that 7-year time period in boot camp, also being prepared for the undefeatable roles which they will play on horseback during the Battle of Armageddon. 

This is why I am not only looking for His appearing, I am also looking to tell everybody who will listen about His appearing! 

Jesus is coming! 

Holy God is coming!

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Everything Concerning God Is Holy

God refers to the tithes that we owe Him as holy. (Leviticus 27:30)  God refers to the very words He speaks as being holy. (Jeremiah 23:9) God swears by His Holiness. (Psalm 89:35) God's Name is Holy. (Psalm 105:3) Also, God's promises are holy. (Psalm 105:42) God's power is a by-product of His Holiness and His power in manifestation causes His people to be willing to obey Him. (Psalm 110:3) God's works are holy. (Psalm 145:17) God's Spirit is called the "Spirit of Holiness." (Romans 1:4) God's people are called to worship Him in the beauty of His Holiness. (1 Chronicles 16:29)

Supernaturally, God has made it possible for His people to be holy even as He is Holy. This will be the emphasis of our next chapter.

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 Chapter Two:  You Are Holy

"And ye shall be holy unto Me: for I the Lord am Holy and have severed you from other people, that ye should be Mine." (Leviticus 20:26)

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind ... put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:23-24)

No More Holy Places or Holy Things - Just Holy People

In the Old Testament physical places and things on Earth were considered to be holy. The Jordan River was considered holy. The very soil of Israel was considered holy.  The Tent Tabernacle carried through the Wilderness for forty years and all of its utensils and implements were considered holy.

"For there was a Tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil the Tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all." (Hebrews 9:2-3)

The Tent Tabernacle in the wilderness was considered holy because Holy God appeared there.  

Once a permanent stone Temple was built by Solomon, it and all of its utensils and implements were then considered holy.

"And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the House of God, the golden altar also and the tables whereon the shewbread was set; Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold; and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold; And the snuffers, and the basins, and the spoons, and the censors of pure gold: And the entry of the House, the inner doors thereof for the most Holy place, and the doors of the House of the Temple, were of gold." (2 Chronicles 4:19-22)

Solomon's stone Temple was considered holy because Holy God chose to dwell there. He dwelt deep within the Temple, behind the Temple veil, in what was called the "Holy of Holies" or the "Most Holy."

"And thou shalt hang up the veil under the taches, that thou mayest bring in tither within the veil the Ark of the Testimony: and the veil shall divide unto you between the Holy Place and the Most Holy." (Exodus 26:33)

No one apart from the High Priest was allowed by Holy God to go beyond the Temple veil into the Most Holy place. Anyone who did so would die immediately. This was because Jesus' Blood had not yet been shed for the remission of sin. When a sinful man would attempt to go behind the veil where the Holiness of God was in residence something had to give and it was not going to be God's Holiness. Man's sin and God's Holiness are the antithesis of one another, so much so that when sin meets Holiness, sin is instantly obliterated.

This is why Holy God could not dwell within His sinful people under the Old Covenant.  He could only dwell amongst His people within Moses' Tent Tabernacle or Solomon's stone Temple.

"And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord thy God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the Lord thy God." (Exodus 29:45-46)

Under the Old Covenant Holy God dwelt among His people, not within His people. And He did that by dwelling in Moses' Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple. This is why both places were considered to be holy. 

However, under the New Covenant there are no longer holy places or holy things here on Earth.  

Under the New Covenant, people, not places or things, have been made to be holy through the sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ.  Under the New Covenant the Born-Again Believer is now holy because Holy God actually dwells within them.

"Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? ... for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

"What? Know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Jesus went to the Cross on our behalf and in doing so He literally cancelled our sinful nature. The moment His Spirit left His body the veil of the Temple was ripped in two, symbolizing that all who believe in His substitutionary death were now welcome to come into the very presence of Holy God. 

"Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold, the veil of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake and the rocks rent." (Matthew 27:50-51)

The Bible says the only veil that now stands between Holy God and sinful man is the veil of Jesus' sacrificed flesh.

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiness by the Blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say His flesh." (Hebrews 10:19-20)

Contrary to what the world's false religions and make-believe disciplines teach, those who refuse to come through the veil of the sacrificed Body and Blood of Jesus Christ are not welcome in the presence of Holy God.  However, those who come to Holy God through the veil of the sacrificed Body and Blood of Jesus' Christ are indeed welcomed into His presence.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

The Born-Again Believer in Jesus Christ is holy because their sinful nature has been totally washed away by the Blood of Jesus and they are now the dwelling place of Holy God. 

Not only does God indwell the individual Believer, but He indwells the entire Body of Christ, making up a corporate, worldwide Holy Temple for Himself.

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God... In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord: in Whom ye are also builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Here the Apostle Paul makes it perfectly clear that Born-Again Believers in Jesus Christ, together, form an Holy Temple for Holy God.  

The Apostle Peter made it equally as clear that together we are living, holy stones, making up a spiritual house as a residence for Holy God.

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)

When Believers come together in a Church sanctuary for worship and the preaching and teaching of God's Word, the Church sanctuary is filled with holiness because the Church sanctuary is filled with holy Believers.  However, when the Believers depart the sanctuary, holiness departs the sanctuary because holiness goes with the Believers.

The New Covenant is replete with clear references to the Believer in Christ having been made holy by the sacrificial offering of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

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 Holy God Prophesied Man's Restoration to Holiness    

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:” (Ephesians 1:3-4)

Notice, here Paul says God has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places.  The blessings are already ours.  Eternal life, right standing with God, authority over Satan and demons, financial and material provision, Divine protection, salvation for our loved ones, etc., are all already provided.  All the Believer must do is tap into them by faith in order to see them become manifest in their lives.

Notice in particular, Paul said in verse four, “He chose us before the foundation of the world that we should be holy….” 

Many read this verse without stopping to think about what Paul is saying.  Long before Adam fell in the Garden losing his holy standing with God, God knew it was going to happen. He pre-planned a way for man to be restored to a position of holiness in spite of the fall.  He formulated a way to take an unholy mess and turn it into an holy message. He even appeared in the Garden and decreed to Satan how He would personally turn things around.

“And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15)

Here we find Holy God prophesying to Satan that He would send a Redeemer to crush him and to restore man's original position of holiness in God. Christ was to be mortally wounded in the process but God gave a prophetic guarantee that He would restore His man unto Himself, in holiness, in spite of man's fall.  

When God decrees a thing it will happen no matter who or what comes against it.  This is why I like to say, “Prophecy is history before it happens.”  When God says something will occur, you can mark it down as history even before it occurs because it is going to occur! 

In the Garden God boldly prophesied the redemption, restoration and setting apart of His human creation.  This indeed has come to pass.  Those who believe in God's Plan of Redemption have been redeemed in Christ.  They have been washed and sanctified, made holy before Holy God, by His Son’s Holy Blood. 

When Paul told the Ephesians God has chosen us that we should be "holy," he used a root word meaning "sanctified."  Sanctified means “to be set apart, to be made pure and to be made morally blameless.”  

What God has done by restoring His human creation to holiness is absolutely miraculous!

Some actually complain that God making sinful man holy in Christ is not just and fair.  However, as stated early on, God is not only our Creator but He is our Lawgiver and Judge. He makes the rules.  

"For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)

If Holy God, our Lawgiver, Judge and Rule Maker, says it is just and fair to restore man to holiness through Christ, then it is just and fair indeed. 

Now, to accept the Gift of Holiness, to cooperate with the Gift of Holiness and to flow with the Gift of Holiness will result in flowing with the supernatural.

Keep in mind as we continue to move through this chapter that the word Paul used for holy is actually "sanctification" which means “to be set apart, to be made pure and to be made morally blameless.”

The words "righteousness," "sanctification" and "holiness" can be used interchangeably.

Let’s now see how holiness, righteousness or "sanctification" comes to the Believer in Jesus Christ.  

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Sanctification Comes Through the Word of God

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3)

Jesus said you "are" clean.  He did not say "you are going to be clean."  Jesus told His Disciples that those who believe in Him are already clean.  

Holiness is a present-tense experience.  

Most Christians live their entire lives thinking they are all messed up and need to do something to make themselves right with God.  But Jesus said this is not necessary.  Jesus said to keep believing His Word of holiness, obeying His Word of holiness, living His Word of holiness and speaking His Word of holiness because He has already made us holy through His Word.  

The Word of God says that we have already been made righteous, or holy, in Christ.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new … for He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21)

Righteousness simply means to have the same standing with Holy God as Jesus. It grants the Believer the absolute right to stand in the presence of Holy God without a sense of guilt or inferiority. Righteousness is a gift to the Believer.  Righteousness is not something to be earned by the Believer.  Righteousness is not something that must be done by the Believer.  

Righteousness, or holiness, can only be received as a gift.

God allowed Jesus to be made a sin offering for us that we might be made holy in Him.  To put it in laymen's terms, God put the wrong on Jesus so He could put the right on us! Now all one must do is accept Christ's dying in their place, receive the free gift of righteousness and cooperate with it on a daily basis.  We must make the decision to continue to cooperate with Jesus and His Word in the holiness, setting apart, process.  

There are actually fifteen commands in the Bible instructing the Believer to cooperate with holiness.  This means we must continually pull ourselves in line with the holiness He has imparted to us. 

This also means we must repent immediately when we have done something unholy, receive our forgiveness and continue to walk in holiness.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

It is vital as Believers in Jesus Christ that we not be found walking about saying, "I'm so messed up!" when Jesus said, "No, you're so cleaned up. You are holy because of Me!" Only the most foolish, thankless Christian would dare to allow Christ to die for them in vain by rejecting His Gift of Holiness.

This is why the Apostle Paul said the Believer must make a decision, as a conscious act of their God-given free-will, to "put on" the holy new man or woman.

"And put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:24)

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Sanctification Comes by Faith

When the Apostle Paul stood on trial before King Agrippa, he became suddenly bold, testifying to Agrippa how Jesus appeared to him and called him to the work of the Ministry. Listen to what Paul said, quoting Jesus from his Damascus Road visitation.

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.” (Acts 26:18)

Paul, quoting Jesus, said sanctification, or holiness, comes "by faith."  This simply means that the Believer in Jesus Christ must believe they have been sanctified by faith in Christ.  The Believer must accept it and not reject it.  The Believer must utilize this revelation and not analyze this revelation.  The Believer must not allow their human mind to pick this apart but rather they must just get it together and receive sanctification as a gift. A pure and simple gift from Holy God.

Jesus died and rose from the dead and this is exactly why He did it.  He did not come to save us and leave us as we were.  He saved us to make us holy even as He is holy. We are sanctified by faith even as we are saved by faith.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8, 9)

One of the primary reasons the Body of Christ has such difficulty with answered prayer is that many do not yet fully realize that they have been made holy by faith. When Believers understand they have been made holy by faith they will live differently. They will live righter.  They will live bolder. They will live higher. They will live longer and stronger. 

This is why everyone needs to be involved in a local Church. It is the job of the local Church Pastor to feed and tend the sheep to help them to grow in knowledge of holiness and in character and integrity. 

Until Believers receive the Gift of Holiness, they are going to live with condemnation, unanswered prayer, powerlessness and defeat. 

However, those who do receive the Gift of Holiness will reign in life by Christ.

"For if by one man's (Adam) offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness (holiness) shall reign in life by One Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17)

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Sanctification Comes by the Person of the Holy Spirit

“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:16)

Here Paul states that he was personally commissioned by Jesus to tell the Gentiles (non-Jews) that they, too, could be sanctified, or made holy, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

What could be more clear?  Sanctification happens by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Through a supernatural empowering of the Holy Spirit, Believers in Jesus Christ are transformed from profane to sacred and set apart for service to Holy God.

The Bible says we are not just a bunch of ole sinners saved by grace.  The Bible says we are sanctified, morally pure, made holy and set apart by faith through a supernatural working of the Holy Spirit.

Some people never see answered prayer because they are unaware of their position in Christ and think wrong, unbiblical things about themselves, thereby binding the hands of Holy God. 

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is.” (Proverbs 23:7)

One of the best ways the Believer in Jesus Christ can please their Heavenly Father is to study their position of holiness in Christ and have faith in the supernatural workings of the Holy Spirit.

"But without faith it's impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He's a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

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Sanctification Comes by the Person of Jesus Christ

“But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Here the Word reveals that Jesus is the Provider of sanctification.  Through His redemptive work at Calvary, Jesus gave us the same standing with God that He has. Some people hear this and their mind goes “tilt.”  It is just too difficult for them to accept, but it is true, nonetheless.  

The Believer in Jesus Christ is as righteous, sanctified and holy as the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

"For He (God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Here the Bible reveals that Believers are "the righteousness of God" in Christ.  

God's righteousness is perfect. There is no room for improvement. God's sanctification is perfect. There is no room for improvement. God's holiness is perfect. There is no room for improvement.   

Jesus is made unto us "righteousness and sanctification."  Because there is only one degree of righteousness, sanctification and holiness, this means that we all share that same degree with Christ.  

There is simply no room for the Believer to improve in holiness. We can always cooperate with it more fully, yes.  But it is impossible to improve upon the holy standing God has given us in Christ.

When the Believer departs their body and travels on to Heaven, one of the first things they discover upon arrival is that they are no more righteous, sanctified or holy in Heaven than they were back on Planet Earth. God's righteousness, sanctification and holiness are as perfect here as they are there on the Planet Heaven. 

This is why I say the Believer has the same standing with God as Jesus Christ. 

This is why the Apostle Paul said, "...Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)   

When I read the Bible I see that Somebody really loves us.  I see Somebody really wanted to redeem us back from Satan's hijacking.  I see Somebody Who was willing to die to get us back, to clean us up, to make us holy and to give us absolute power and authority over the one who stole us from Him.  

This revelation of God's perfect holiness goes absolutely cross-wise and contrary to the religious line of thinking that says, "God is angry" and "God is wrath."

The Holy Bible says God is love and He sent Jesus that we might live in holiness through Him.  

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only Begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." (1 John 4:9)

So it is clear that Jesus provided holiness. Now, let's see how He provided holiness. 

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Sanctification Comes by the Offering of Jesus’ Body & Blood

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)

The first nine chapters of the Book of Hebrews were written by the Apostle Paul to persuade the Hebrew Believers that the Christian now has complete and total access to the Presence of God through the offering of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. 

Those nine chapters all conclude right here in Hebrews 10:10, "We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ."  

Paul also told the Hebrews "...and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin." (Hebrews 9:22)

The Bible reveals that God prepared Jesus' Body and Blood as a sin offering for us. Through Christ's offering of His Body and Blood, we have been made holy again without having to pay the penalty of death ourselves.

Had all of humanity been required to pay sin's death penalty for themselves, we would have been lost unto God for we did not have authority over death. We did not have the ability to raise from the dead.  

God needed someone with authority over death, a human someone, a sinless someone and someone with the ability to raise from the dead to pay the penalty for the sin of humanity.  That way, once the penalty of death was paid that someone could raise again from the dead and not be lost unto God.  

That Someone was the God-Man, Jesus Christ.

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." (Leviticus 17:11)

In the Old Testament atonement, or temporary covering, for the sins of the people was accomplished by offering the blood of animals.  However, in the New Testament remission, or the actual once-and-for-all wiping away, of sins was accomplished by the offering of the Blood of Jesus.

When I hear Preachers hammering away at God's wrath towards humanity, I know immediately they have not been reading their Bibles. Or possibly they do read their Bibles but they spend more time hanging out in the Old Testament than they do in the New Testament.  The Old Testament was a Dispensation of Condemnation.  The New Testament is the Dispensation of Grace and Holiness. 

When Preachers do not temper their Old Testament reading with equal or greater New Testament reading, they have a tendency to preach condemnation.  Preachers who spend most of their study time in the New Testament have a much better grip on God's love, God's mercy and the fact that He has made us holy through the sacrificed Body and Blood of the God-Man, Jesus Christ.  

When I read through the New Testament I see that Someone is consumed with thoughts of us.  I see that Somebody loves us dearly in spite of our severe shortcomings. I see Someone Who was willing to pay whatever price necessary to restore us to a position of holiness in Him.

That Someone is Holy God.

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh;” (Hebrews 10:19-20)

The word “boldness” used here by Paul is actually “liberty and full access.”  

Even the Old Testament High Priest did not have liberty and full access to Holy God.  In the Old Testament only the highest of Priests, the High Priest, could enter into the Holy of Holies and then only once a year. 

But in the New Testament, the least of all saints has daily access to the Holiest place in Heaven – the actual Throne Room of God. Why? Because of the offering of Jesus' Flesh and Blood.

"So let's walk right up to Him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help." (Hebrews 4:16 Message Bible)

Sanctification comes by the offering of Jesus' Body and Blood. It makes access to Holy God instant and effortless. It makes us one in holiness with Jesus and that in itself grants us immediate access into the presence of Holy God. 

"For both He (Jesus) that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all one: for which cause He (Jesus) is not ashamed to call them brethren." (Hebrews 2:11)

Jesus' sacrifice at Calvary has literally granted us equal standing with Him before Holy God. It is in His Holiness and in His making us holy that we become brethren, and Jesus is proud to call us brethren.  It gives Him inexpressible joy to have made us holy in Him. It pleases Him more than earthly words can express that through the offering of His Body and Blood, His brethren can now approach His Father and their Father without a sense of guilt or condemnation.

This is one of the primary reasons why we take Holy Communion. Communion is taken in remembrance of Christ sacrificing Himself unto death to make us holy.

"For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death til He come." (1 Corinthians 11:26) 

If you have been condemning yourself and seeing yourself any way other than the way Holy God and the Lord Jesus Christ see you, simply say, "Thank You, Father. Thank You, Jesus.  Thank You, Holy Spirit. I am holy. Forgive my unbelief." 

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Sanctification Comes by the Will of the Father

“Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.” (Jude 1:1-2)

So we have seen that holiness comes to us through the Word and we receive it by faith.  We have seen that the Holy Spirit is the agency through whom holiness is imparted to us and that Jesus personally paid for our holiness with His sinless Body and Blood.  

Here Jude reveals, by revelation of the Holy Spirit, that it is the Father Who conceived, initiated and puts His personal stamp of approval on sanctifying, or making Born-Again human beings holy.  

So, who are we to argue with Holy God when it comes to the Doctrine of Holiness?  Do our little brains function more proficiently than He Who created our little brains?  Are we smarter than Holy God?  As previously stated, I know I am not smarter than God and have proven it time and again. 

I can prove that you, too, are not smarter than God. How? By reminding you of the fact that you have a belly button. The fact that you have a belly button reveals that you were connected to an umbilical cord. With the exception of the God-Man Jesus, all umbilical cords lead directly back to Adam and Eve. The fact that you are a direct descendant of Adam and Eve is proof positive that you are not smarter than God.  You and I are the proud offspring of two disobedient dumb darlings who caused the Crisis of the Ages. 

Not only does our direct blood connection to Adam and Eve prove we are not smarter than God, but it means that our blood is tainted with sin and rebellion even as their blood was tainted by sin and rebellion. 

However, in spite of Adam and Eve's rebellion and our being sin-tarnished by it, the Holy God of all wisdom predetermined, as a conscious act of His own free-will, that He would purchase us back through redemption and make us holy in order to glorify Himself.

"...ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14) 

Some people have tremendous difficulty receiving answers to their prayers because they think wrongly about themselves and grieve the Holy Spirit of God.  It is vital that you see yourself as Holy God sees you, particularly in such perilous times as these.  

As a Believer, if you refuse to allow God to be glorified by refusing to see yourself as God sees you in Christ, you will soon begin to listen to the voice of condemnation.  Then it will not be long before you backslide and your condition will become seven times worse than it was before you ever even heard there was such a thing as sanctification by faith. 

"When an unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none. Then he sayeth, I will return unto my house from whence I came out; and when he is come he findeth it empty, swept and garnished (void of holiness). Then goeth he and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." (Matthew 12:43:45) 

I have had many people tell me, “Pastor, I’ve got such a low self-image problem." or "I have low self-esteem.” 

I tell them, “Yes. That’s because you don't know what the Word says about righteousness, sanctification and holiness.  Through your lack of knowledge Satan has tricked you into thinking that you could never be everything the Bible says you already are. As a result he's been able to bind you with guilt, condemnation and an unbiblical self-image."  

Satan is a fallen angel.  Satan is not a travel agent.  So make up your mind right now that never again will he sell you on one of his world famous guilt trips.  If you have made mistakes and blown it, repent immediately. Confess it to Holy God in Jesus' Name and the Blood will wash you white as snow. Then stand up like the holy person of God you really are and start walking in line with God's perfect holiness again.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. … For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21)

Man is the apex of all of God's creation. Holy God cares more about humanity than He does about all other things which have come into existence through Him. 

This is why He allowed Jesus Christ to come to Planet Earth as Heaven's Solitary Missionary to sacrifice His Body and Blood for the express purpose of restoring fallen man to a position of dignity, honor and holiness.  

This is why Jesus Christ now represents humanity in the Trinity. 

Have you ever thought about that, Reader?  Has it ever occurred to you that humanity, including you, is indeed represented in the Holy Trinity? 

Not only does Jesus Christ represent Born-Again humanity in the Trinity, but the Bible also says we are seated in Him, to the Father's right hand, in a place of tremendous spiritual authority.

"And He (God) raised us up together with Him (Christ) and made us sit down together [giving us joint-seating with Him] in the Heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." (Ephesians 2:6 Amplified Bible)

Holiness is a miracle performed by the will of the Father to the praise of His Glory!

Holy God deserves to be glorified for having made His children holy.

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Chapter Three: Flow with His Holiness & Flow with His Power

"Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God." (1 Peter 2:5 Message Bible)

Smith Wigglesworth, often referred to as the "Apostle of Faith," was a British pioneer of the 20th century's major Pentecostal revival.  Wigglesworth said, "You must refuse everything that is not pure and holy. God wants you pure in heart. He wants you to have an intense desire after holiness." 

Andrew Murray, the 19th century South African Bible Teacher, writer and Pastor said, "Not only has God chosen and called us for salvation, but also for holiness - salvation in holiness. The goal of the young Christian must not only be safety in Christ but also holiness in Christ. Safety and salvation are, in the long run, found only in holiness. The Christian who thinks that his salvation consists merely in safety and not in holiness will find himself deceived."

Many Christians wrongly believe that simply accepting salvation in Christ is enough to keep them protected and provided for, but that is not what the Bible teaches. 

One must endeavor daily to cooperate with God's Holiness or to "put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:24) 

As Pastor Murray has rightly stated, safety and salvation are, in the long run, found only by cooperating with holiness.  

The Christian who thinks salvation alone guarantees protection, provision and long life will find themselves horribly deceived. One must cooperate with holiness daily. When mistakes are made they must be confessed and removed by the Blood of Jesus and the Christian must continue to walk out their holiness. God will forgive all confessed stumblings from holiness and allow His children to continue to move forward in holiness as if no mistakes were made. What a wonderful Holy God and Benevolent Father.

"On the other hand, if we admit our sins - make a clean breast of them - He won't let us down; He'll be true to Himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim we've never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God - make a liar out of Him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. I write this dear children to guide you out of sin. But if anyone does sin, we have a Priest-Friend in the presence of the Father: Jesus Christ, Righteous (Holy) Jesus." (1 John 1:9-2:1 Message Bible)

As we saw in the previous two chapters everything concerning God is Holy.  He calls His children to fellowship in conformity with His Holiness.  How can anyone be saved in Holy God and have fellowship with Him when he does not have the same holy disposition as Holy God?

It is through partaking of Holy God's Divine nature that Believers not only escape the corruption that is in the world but are also able to partake of the promises of God.

"According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1:3-4)  

It is through deliberately partaking of and cooperating with Holy God's Divine nature that we are able to walk in the supernatural. Cooperating with holiness is a vital stepping stone into the realm of the miraculous.  

However, most Christians are unacquainted with holiness, spend their lives living in sin and never experience the miraculous.  For the most part they do not live in sin because they are hypocrites.  They live in sin because they lack knowledge of God's Word, do not know who they are in Christ and do not know the power they have over temptation. They simply do not know that they are holy or how to flow with holiness. The end result is a constant wondering as to why they never see the power of God manifest on their behalf. They live with the unnecessary frustration of unanswered prayer and powerlessness.

Jesus Christ was the most powerful Man Who ever lived, not solely because He was the Son of God, but because He was the most humble Man Who ever lived. Jesus was humble in that He always chose His Father's will over His own will. Jesus always chose His Father's Word over His own fleshly desires. 

"Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, but stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. 

"And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name. That in (at) the Name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in Heaven and on Earth and under the Earth." (Philippians 2:5-10 Amplified Bible)

When a humble Christian receives God's Gift of Holiness and learns to cooperate with it by resisting sin, they will soon find themselves flowing with the power of God similar to the way Jesus did. Of course, no one can experience the power of God to the degree that Jesus did for the Bible says He was anointed without measure. (John 3:34)  But Jesus did say we would do similar works by cooperating with His Holiness.

"The person who trusts Me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of Who I am and what I'm doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for Who He is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do." (John 14:12-14 Message Bible)

When a Believer in Jesus Christ learns to choose God's Word over their own will the way Jesus always did, they will find themselves walking in the miraculous similar to the way Jesus did. 

To flow with God's Holiness is to flow with God's power.

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Holy Living Is Simply Cooperating with God's Holy Word

"Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14)

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead." (James 2:26)

Once saved in Christ the Christian must now begin to live in a way that reflects God's character and nature. The Christian must cooperate with their position of holiness in Christ through obedience to God's Word. The Bible says that faith without works, or corresponding actions, is dead. One translation of the Bible says "dead as a doornail." That is an expression of powerlessness. 

The true Believer in Christ, the Christ-lover, is ever desirous of their corresponding actions being in line with Christ's Holy nature. This is done by saying "Yes" to God's Word and "No" to sin. 

For example, when temptation comes it is a simple matter of the Believer using the power of words, opening their mouth and decreeing, "I am free from sin. I am a truth-teller. I am free from lying in Jesus' Name." Or, "I am free from sin. I live a holy life. I am free from fornication in Jesus' Name." Whatever your area of temptation might be, simply declare that you are free from it in Jesus' Name.

The Believer must also address Satan and demonic powers informing them that they are no longer free to harass and dominate in that area by simply saying, "Satan, you no longer have control of me in this area. I yield to Holy God, in Jesus' Name."  

Let's go now to the Word of God to see just some of the things written by the Apostle Paul concerning saying "Yes" to holiness and "No" to unholiness.

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1 Corinthians 6:9-11 The Amplified Bible

"Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): Neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foul-mouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the Kingdom of God. And such some of you were [once]. 

"But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God."

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Galatians 5:19-26 The Message Bible

"It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's Kingdom.

"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

"Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good - crucified.

"Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original."

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Philippians 2:12-16 The Amplified Bible

"Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the Name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. 

"Do all things without grumbling and fault-finding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves], that you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,

"Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose."

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Colossians 3:1-4:2 The Message Bible  

"So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ - that's where the action is. See things from His perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life - even though invisible to spectators - is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this Earth, you'll show up, too - the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity like Christ. And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. 

"It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk. Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with His label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. 

"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. 

"Let the Word of Christ - the Message - have the run of the house.  Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives - words, actions, whatever - be done in the Name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

"Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don't take advantage of them. Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end. Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits. 

"Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work. And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. Don't forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master - God in Heaven. Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude."

So we see clearly from the precious Holy written Word of God that cooperating with the Gift of Holiness is indeed a matter of making the daily decision to say "Yes" to holiness and "No" to unholiness. If the Believer in Christ did not have the power to say "No" to unholiness, Holy God would not be within His jurisdiction to require that they do so. However, the Believer does indeed have power over sin in the mighty Name of Jesus. This is clearly revealed in the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Romans.

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Romans 6:6-14 The Message Bible

"Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life - no longer at sin's every beck and call!  What we believe is this: if we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in His life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, He took down sin with Him, but alive He brings God down to us. From now on think of it this way: sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. 

"You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and fulltime - remember, you've been raised from the dead! - into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God." 

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Receiving Holy God's Incomprehensible Forgiveness: The Final Frontier

God is Holy. Everything about Him is Holy, including His Born-Again children. 

Holy living is simply making the decision to cooperate with God's Holy Word and repenting immediately no matter how often we blow it. God will forgive us no matter how often we come for forgiveness. This is what makes the Blood of Jesus so precious. Listen to this very revealing conversation between the Apostle Peter and The Master Jesus.

"Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Til seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22)

Peter thought he was being quite magnanimous offering to forgive someone for the same offense seven times in one day. The Law only required Peter to forgive the same offense three times in one day.  However, Jesus astounded Peter informing him that if someone sinned against him seventy times seven, or 490 times in one day, asking forgiveness each time, Peter must forgive them. 

My wife, Barbara, once put the pencil to this mathematical forgiveness equation. Forgiving someone 490 times in a 24-hour period is to potentially forgive them as often as once every 2 1/2 minutes.

Why would Holy God require His children to forgive those who ask forgiveness as often as 490 times in a 24-hour period? The answer is because God requires His children to imitate Him and He is the Greatest Forgiver of all.

"Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their Father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance." (Ephesians 5:1-2 Amplified Bible)

God will forgive even more often than 490 times a day if necessary. There are no limitations on how often God will forgive us when we ask for forgiveness. This is just one of the ways God in His Holiness is past finding out. This is why I always say, "The most microscopic drop of Jesus' Holy Blood is far more powerful than even the greatest concentration of evil. Christ's work at Calvary far outweighs Satan's work in the Garden."

Walking in holiness includes seeking God's forgiveness as often as it is needed. The Believer in Jesus Christ must not make the mistake of limiting God's willingness to forgive to the small channel of human reasoning. If God says He will forgive as often as we will come seeking forgiveness, then He will forgive as often as we come seeking forgiveness. 

Seeking forgiveness, no matter how often, is all part of cooperating with the Gift of Holiness. 

"He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the Heavens are high above the Earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a Father loves and pities His children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship and awe]. For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust." (Psalm 103:10-14 Amplified Bible)

The Lord does not deal with us according to our sins.  He deals with us according to the ability of Jesus' Blood to wipe away our sins.  He removes our confessed sins so far away that we will never encounter them again. He loves us.  He pities us and He remembers that we are just human beings.

"Behold, it was for my peace that I had intense bitterness; but You have loved back my life from the pit of corruption and nothingness, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back." (Isaiah 38:17 Amplified Bible)

This verse literally says, "For You have placed my sins between Your shoulder blades." Why does God say He will place our sins between His shoulder blades?  Have someone place a tennis ball between your shoulder blades. Now turn around and try to look at the tennis ball. It is impossible. God places our confessed sins where it is impossible for Him to ever see them again. 

You should be shouting right about now, or at least crying some very happy tears!

"And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him." (Isaiah 30:18)

I once heard someone say, "God had mercy on the people of the world while Jesus was here but since Christ ascended, He no longer has mercy on the sinful people of the world, not even His own children."  I thought, "That's not what my Bible says.  My Bible says Jesus was exalted to Heaven that He may continue to have mercy upon the people of the world, especially His own."  

Isaiah makes it perfectly clear that Christ was exalted to extend mercy not to withdraw mercy. The Lord has judged our confessed sins as forgiven and wiped away! Blessed are they who believe it.

"He was looked down on and passed over, a Man Who suffered, Who knew pain first hand. One look at Him and people turned away. We looked down on Him, thought He was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains He carried - our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us! We thought He brought it on Himself, that God was punishing Him for His own failures. But it was our sins that did that to Him, that ripped and tore and crushed Him - our sins! He took the punishment and that made us whole. Through His bruises we get healed. We're all like sheep who have wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on Him." (Isaiah 53:2-6 Message Bible)

Here Isaiah perfectly expresses how Holy God put the wrong on Jesus so He could put the right on us. To not accept God's forgiveness even for sins committed after being Born-Again is to simply allow Jesus to die in vain. What Christ-lover would ever do such a thing?

"For I will forgive their iniquity and I will [seriously] remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31:34 Amplified Bible)

"I'll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I'll forget they ever sinned! God's Decree!" (Jeremiah 31:34 Message Bible)

God seriously forgives and forgets our sins. When Holy God wipes our sin slates clean, you can be sure of this one thing, they are as clean as a whistle!

"God's loyal love couldn't have run out, His merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great Your faithfulness!  I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left." (Lamentations 3:22-24 Message Bible)

Because Holy God's mercy rises up new from within Him every morning, it is impossible for His mercy, love and forgiveness to run out. Holy God is a Fountainhead of love, mercy and forgiveness.

"Where is the god who can compare with You - wiping the slate clean of guilt, turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, to the past sins of Your purged and precious people? ... For mercy is Your specialty. That's what You love most. And compassion is on its way to us. You'll stamp out our wrongdoing. You'll sink our sins to the bottom of the ocean. You'll stay true to Your word to Father Jacob and continue the compassion You showed Grandfather Abraham - everything You promised our ancestors from a long time ago." (Micah 7:18-20 Message Bible)

God sinks our confessed sins to the bottom of the ocean where they can never be found again. This is all made possible by the precious shed Blood of Jesus. Confess your sins to Holy God and put up a sign to the Devil that reads, "No fishing in the Blood!"

Someone said that all the verses I have just shared with you are in the Old Testament, have only to do with Israel and nothing to do with the New Testament Church. The Holy Spirit says, "I beg to differ."  We just read that God promised to stay true and continue the compassion He showed to Grandfather Abraham. 

The Bible says if we belong to Christ that we are Abraham's offspring and all the promises to Abraham and Israel are promises to us, as well. 

"Do you remember the Scripture that says, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'? That is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the cross: He became a curse, and at the same time dissolved the curse. And now, because of that, the air is cleared and we can see that Abraham's blessing is present and available for non-Jews, too. We are all able to receive God's life, His Spirit, in and with us by believing - just the way Abraham received it. ... Also, since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's famous 'descendant,' heirs according to the Covenant promises." (Galatians 3:13, 14, 29 Message Bible)

Here again, the Word of God completely dispels the human reasoning that says God's promises to Israel do not include the New Testament Church. A big hallelujah to that!

"Fortunate those whose crimes are carted off, whose sins are wiped clean from the slate. Fortunate the person against whom the Lord does not keep score." (Romans 4:7 Message Bible)

When Holy God carts off our sins, He does not keep score of how many there were or where He dumped them.  The devil keeps score. Our enemies keep score and even we might keep score.  But not Holy God.  We must never do what God Himself will not do. The Apostle Paul said we are to "imitate God," not "imitate the devil." (Ephesians 5:1)

"Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the Throne of Grace (the Throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]." (Hebrews 4:16 Amplified Bible)

Holy God commands His holy children to come fearlessly, confidently and boldly to the Throne of Mercy and Grace where they will find forgiveness and help, no matter what the problem may be. Many through fear, condemnation and intimidation refuse to do this. 

I have had more than one individual tell me, "Pastor, I simply cannot bear to go to God and tell Him what I have done." My response is always basically the same, "Believe me, dear one. When you do tell Him, it won't be the first He's heard of it. It will not be a revelation to Him. He's waiting for you to come, not for you to reveal what you have done, but rather that He may cleanse and conceal what you have done. He knows all about it and still He beckons. God is not your problem. He is your solution."

"I'll be their God, they'll be My people. They won't go to school to learn about Me, or buy a book called God In Five Easy Lessons. They'll all get to know Me firsthand, the little and the big, the small and the great. They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven, with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean." (Hebrews 8:11-12 Message Bible)

Here again the Apostle Paul makes it forever clear that Holy God, our Father, wants us to know Him by His kindness, His mercy and His willingness to forgive no matter how often we need cleansing. This is how the Believer maintains their position of holiness in Him. 

The end result of Born-Again Believers seeking forgiveness of God as often as necessary and continuing to flow with God's Word is always their flowing with God's power. This is not a license to sin. This is a license to receive forgiveness when we do sin and to flow with God's power once again.  

Christian America has not experienced great, consistent manifestations of God's power for nearly sixty years. This is because Christian America, in her great God-given wealth and spiritual complacency, has shown contempt for the Holiness of the God Who has protected and provided for her. For the most part Christian America has not yet bothered to ask God's forgiveness for her national sins.  

Four of the primary ways Christian America has said "No" to God's Holiness is through 56 million abortions since the U.S. Supreme Court's "Roe v Wade" decision in 1972, the normalization of homosexuality, rampant fornication and adultery even within the Church and tampering with Israel's national security. 

The power of God is a manifestation of the Holiness of God. When nations or individuals show contempt for God's Holiness, they must not only learn to live without His holy power, they must prepare to face His loving judgment. 

Repentance, reverence and a restoration of holiness is the answer to Christian America's present judgment.

Repentance, reverence and a restoration of holiness is the answer to your present dilemma, dear Reader.

If you have not been cooperating with God's Holiness by cooperating with His Word, simply repent and you can begin to flow with His power. Remember, God is Holy and He has supernaturally made you holy. 

Whenever a Christian stumbles and falls from their holy position in Christ, they must run to God and not away from Him in it.  That is what Holy God is all about.  He is the Blesser, not the damner. 

The penitent Christian will be cleansed by the precious, powerful Blood of Jesus Christ and allowed to walk and live in holiness once again no matter how much Satan or demonic principalities and powers do not like it.

"The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all of His works." (Psalm 145:9)

Keeping in mind that King David said by inspiration of the Holy Spirit that "God's tender mercies are over all His works," let's take a look at something the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church of all ages in his Epistle to the Ephesians.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

The Apostle Paul said that you, Reader, are God's work-man-ship. King David said that God's tender mercies are over all of His works. This can only mean one thing. No matter what you may have done wrong, God's mercy hovers over you right now. If you will repent, you are marked for Holy God's incomprehensible forgiveness. 

No matter who you are, where you've been or what you've done, you must make up your mind to receive Holy God's incomprehensible forgiveness.  It's the Christian's final frontier.

Jesus once told a Pharisee He was overwhelmingly pleased by the fact that those whom He forgave the most would also be those who would love Him the most. (Luke 7:36-43) 

Possibly this is you today, Reader. Possibly you have been thinking your great sins are far beyond God's capacity to forgive. Holy God wants you to know He is well aware that you will love Him more than most because He forgives you more than most. The thought of forgiving you greatly in exchange for your equally as great a love is exciting to Holy God. He longs for this great exchange with you. 

"How much more shall the Blood of Christ, Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?" (Hebrews 9:14)

Holy God not only desires to forgive His holy children's sins when they have been wrong, He desires to cleanse their guilty conscience from the effects of their wrongdoing.  Actually, being cleansed from the guilt of sin is an added bonus for having the humility to seek forgiveness for sin. 

Holy God desires for His holy children to serve Him with complete peace of mind. 

God is Holy and you really are holy, too.  Holy God has made it possible!

"How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on Him Who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God." (2 Corinthians 5:21 Message Bible)  

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Prayer of Repentance & Restoration

"Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for ever believing that my sins were beyond Your capacity to forgive.

"I confess that I have not sufficiently pulled myself in line with Your precious Holy written Word. I have not adequately offered myself up to You as a living sacrifice. I have not purposefully pursued Your plans and Your purposes for my life. I ask You to please forgive me in each of these areas

"Beginning this very hour I commit not only to obeying Your Word but to seeking Your plan over my own plans. With Your help and with my whole heart I will begin to cooperate with holy thinking, holy speaking and holy living. 

"I now dedicate myself to a life of reverencing You and cooperating with Your Holiness in all that I think, say and do.

"Father, I also ask that You would send Godly sorrow and the Gift of Repentance to my Christian countrymen for rejecting Your Holiness. (2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Timothy 2:25-26) 

"Thank You for sending Your Son to pay the price for me to be made holy. Your Word says You are Holy. Your Word says I am holy. 

"Therefore, I decree before Heaven and Earth that I am now walking in holiness and flowing with Your power, in Jesus' Strong Name."  

How to Be Born Again (Receive Christ as Your Savior)

How to Receive The Holy Spirit & Power

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