"The day I stop struggling against sin is the day I accept it in my life instead of Christ."
Whether it is because of the glamorization of laziness in America, the false impression that those who succeed in life do so without much effort or the general accessibility of almost anything you can imagine in our culture I do not know. One thing I do know is that many people feel if they have to work hard and struggle to get where they want to be they must not be doing it right. The same is true for Christians.
The Salvation Army comes from the perspective of a holiness tradition. Because of this we speak of our relationships with God in terms of entire sanctification, Christian perfection and holiness. We preach holiness, discuss holiness and claim to live holiness but I am not so sure we even know what holiness is.
I have not studied the history of holiness teaching within the Army thoroughly enough to pinpoint exactly when and where we fell off but it seems to me that where we are now stands horribly short of where we began. Holiness as lived out in the life of William Booth paints a picture rarely seen in today's Salvationists. It seems the image of holiness most Salvationists attempt to reflect is one where every thing is well and in order; that entire sanctification means you no longer struggle with sin. This I would say is far from the example set by William Booth.
To reference an old quote which has become more popular recently,
"While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end!"
This poem came at the end of William Booth's last public address on 9 May, 1912 in the Royal Albert Hall. I ask you this. Are these sound like the words of a man who has found his little place of comfort where he can cozy up in his own holiness oblivious to the sin in this world? NO! Quite the contrary these are the words of a man who, in his last days, continues to declare war against sin and promises to continue to do so to the very end. Sanctification is not characterized by no longer needing to struggle against sin. True holiness is characterized by not only a willingness but a desire and cosuming passion to challenge it head on!
Some of us act as if our conversion makes holiness ours by right when in fact holiness is ours by relationship. The Salvation Army was not raised up by William Booth it was raised up by Christ. William Booth just happened to be walking with Him at the time. An honest Christian when asked where their holiness lies can not point to themselves. They must point to Christ, who is our holiness. That same Christ who has fought against sin since the moment it came into creation continues to do so even to this day. If we are truely a holy people it is not of ourselves it is by living in relationship with The Holy One, by walking at his side as He tears down strongholds on this earth.
You say you are holy? Where is your fight?
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Today's blog is dedicated to and inspired by Katherine Hannigan of The Salvation Army, Sioux Falls, SD.
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5 comments:
Ryan,
We just talked about holiness in Sunday School the other day... and in light of the holiness series that just ended I was thinking about this topic, so I appreciate the post.
I have understood holiness to be the striving to no longer commit intentional sin. Obviously this is a life-long JOURNEY because, at least from my experience, we find that as God removes sin in our life, he makes it clear the other things we need to work on. I like though, that you included the fight against sin is not necessarily only within ourselves, but in the world, too. People tend to see sin as actions and thoughts... and leave out the "sins of omission"...
Interesting thoughts. Thanks for sharing. :)
The irony with holiness is that God commands up to "cease striving and know He is God."
Biblical stewardship demands that when we are healed of sin we turn around and apply that same healing to others. If we don't then I healing is useless. We have been set free by the blood of the Lamb AND the word of our testimony. To him who has been faithful in little much will be given. But to him who is not even that which he has will be taken away.
That makes sense. I suppose the word "striving" implies that it is something within ourselves, when really, it is God. And I agree... we are all a body and therefore are responsible to uphold each other as well.
I think this applies to your Lady Silence post... but that may just be me since others interpretted it differently than I did.
ps- I never thought of that passage that way... "to whom much is given..."
You're absolutely right! That applies to healing as well. Thanks for that.
I've thought a lot about this sanctification and holiness thing. Still not sure I understand it.
I know this is not so, but it always seems to me that the Army seems to think we can attain (should *work* to attain) sinlessness here on earth? Seems to me the older (more mature???? I wish!!) I get, the more sin I see in myself. I'd also like to hear your thoughts on the Army doctrine that salvation in Christ is dependent on our continual obedient faith in him (paraphrasing from memory now). I don't know about you, but I still disobey quite a bit. And yet I still believe by God's grace I am saved. Are there "certain sins" that void that salvation or would indicate I never was saved in the first place?
Oh boy, I'm really gonna get it now! Please hear my intent and let me explain further if this isn't clear.
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