Jun 26
17
A WORD ABOUT HOLINESS
If I could truthfully state that I have no interest in becoming more holy; that is, more graciously submissive and obedient to the will of God, both preceptive and providential, then according to the teaching of the Word of God, I would be acknowledging that, spiritually, I am dreadfully unhealthy – or dead!
On the other hand, if I could honestly state (or even think), looking over a congregation of God’s saints, that I am holier than they, or most of them, or even some of them, then according to the teaching of God’s Word, I would, in fact, be the most unholy of them all!
Man can only look on the outward appearance; thus no man can truly know the circumstances of another, or God’s measure of light, measure of faith, or measure of grace to another. Those who judge themselves to be more holy than others are doing what God forbids; measuring and comparing others to themselves, and themselves to others; and they, like the ancient Pharisees, have a self righteous, self-inflated, spiritually egotistical view of themselves.
Oh! but let a man compare himself to Christ, the Holy One of God, and he will not be rejoicing in his holiness, but with his hand over his mouth, lamenting his sinfulness, unbelief and disobedience. A pastor once asked an elderly lady of his little country congregation what she thought it was to grow spiritually or in the grace of God. After a brief pause, she said, “A Christian’s growth in grace is like the growth of a cow’s tail.” Somewhat puzzled by her answer, the pastor asked if she would explain. The simple, uneducated, country lady replied, “The more a cow’s tail grows, the nearer it comes to the ground, and the more a Christian grows in grace, the more he takes his place in the dust before God.” And if I may add, the more he loves and clings to Christ, and the more he desires to be like Him – holy! The only way one can ever esteem and glory in his holiness is if he is walking away from God’s light – not walking in it, nor even walking toward it!
– Maurice Montgomery