Sermon on morality vs. holiness
Our pastor gave an excellent sermon titles "Morality -vs-Holiness." We, as Christians, should realize that morals are important, but he made such a good point when he said, "The trap of morality is that is makes us feel we are good people because we hold the right views...true holiness is a passionate, long, and endless pursuit and love for the nature of God." We recently received a magazine called Vision Forum. The whole magazine was centered on the family, emphasizing the importance of making a distinction between the husband's and wife's roles in the family, the importance of homeschooling, etc. Now, I'm not against the family. In fact, I have a great one and I'm homeschooling our kids. I am, however, a little wary of certain ministries that view the "family" as being the answer to life's problems. The magazine kept talking about a "family centered" life. Aren't we supposed to have a "God-centered" life? These are just a few random thoughts from Yooper Mama.
4 comments:
Yes, I see what you mean. I think part of the family emphasis these days is because the family has come under so much attack and it's a reaction to that. But I also agree that many demoninations and individuals no longer emphasize the idea of holiness. But then, of course, you have different people defining holiness in different ways--actually, I like your pastor's definition. One aspect of holiness that I don't see too much of these days is the idea of God as numinous (inspiring great awe or even a special kind of fear or dread). Here's an interesting quote from C.S. Lewis. (Sorry that I've strayed from your original point I guess).
C.S. Lewis's illustration makes clear the nature of numinous dread and its difference from ordinary fear:
"Suppose you were told that there was a tiger in the next room: you would know that you were in danger and would probably feel fear. But if you were told "There is a ghost in the next room," and believed it, you would feel, indeed, what is often called fear, but of a different kind. It would not be based on the knowledge of danger, for no one is primarily afraid of what a ghost may do to him, but of the mere fact that it is a ghost. It is "uncanny" rather than dangerous, and the special kind of fear it excites may be called Dread. With the Uncanny one has reached the fringes of the Numinous. Now suppose that you were told simply "There is a might spirit in the room" and believed it. Your feelings would then be even less like the mere fear of danger: but the disturbance would be profound. You would feel wonder and a certain shrinking–described as awe, and the object which excites it is the Numinous."
Yes, I believe if God is the center of your life (1st and foremost) good “family” values will automatically follow suite.
Thanks for your comments, Unca and blogball. After I posted it, I realized I was actually talking about two different issues in one paragraph.
In terms of morality vs. holiness it makes me think of what is going on in Colorado with Tedd Haggard... I think your pastor makes a good point on this and I think this is what Tony Campolo was saying the other night when he was interviewed about Pastor Haggard. Campolo was chiding all Christians who act like they are without sin (more holy) because of holding the right views.
It was interesting and does make you think...
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