Dear revive,
Dr. C.T. Luisukutty wrote that holy living is not optional but mandatory. It is the will of God that we should be holy, because He that called us is holy, and because we are chosen unto salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit; and not only does God require holiness in the heart, but also purity in our bodies, and that we should cleanse ourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit. My prayer
is for this holiness to be implanted in all the readers
of revive.
Thomas John, Bahrain.
Physical cleanliness
Dear Editor,
In the June issue of revive Rev. Dr. Zaihmingthanga highlights the physical aspect of holiness. The NT perspective of holy living is not so much about physical cleanliness as it is more on the holy life that comes out of a pure heart. From his
own experience Rev. Dr. Zaihmingthanga writes that the Christian homes and Christian villages in Meghalaya are distinctly cleaner than the non-Christian villages and homes today. He also says that the Christian communities in Mizoram are noticeably cleaner than the non-Christian community living in the neighboring areas. One can therefore say that wherever the Gospel of Christ is received, the believing community experienced transformation both spiritually and physically.
Nirmala Joy, Bhopal.
Privacy for prayer or to sin
Dear revive,
The question raised by Dr. Benjamin George in revive is a challenge to all Christians. What a pity that if in the privacy of one’s rooms, where Jesus taught us to ‘seek and pray to your Father who sees in secret’, we shut ourselves up and watch secretly, gross pornographic materials for hours! The wonderful time for prayer in secret, reading and meditation of God’s Word has gone out of the window to our souls’ destruction! Years ago glossy pornographic sex magazines used to be secretly bought and hidden away for private viewing! But today there is no need to spend money or hide anything. All are available at your fingertip on the Internet. Let every one answer whether our privacy is for prayer or to sin.
Joy Jomon,Cochin.
A blessing in disguise
Dear Editor,
The word ‘holiness’ is either misunderstood or partially understood in today’s church context. Although, we do say that several churches understand holiness differently and measure it in terms of outward appearance and dress etc. We, however, cannot deny the significance of the holiness (distinction) in the area of external appearances.The observation of Rev. Thomas Cherian that the external features are sometimes a blessing in disguise is true. However, we must not ever forget that true holiness is from within.
Varkey Kurian,Kozhikkodu.
Holiness versus Idolatry
Dear Editor,
The points presented by Rev. Dr. T. Valson Abraham in the ‘Just One Minute’ on holiness are very poignant. He says that idolatry is prohibited because of the Holiness of God. Holiness is a quality both real and elusive. Even the greatest artist or sculptor cannot capture it on canvas or in stone. For that reason, God forbids us to make images of Him for worship. They convey the wrong message of who God is and why He is incomparable to all other deities. May God help us to flee from idolatry of all types.
Blesson Titus,Mumbai.
Separation from Common Affairs
Dear revive,
Dr. A .C. George in his article indicates that holiness is the state or condition of a person or thing as being separated from the common affairs of life and consecrated completely to God. When the term is applied to God, it carries with it ideas of moral perfection. He quotes Don Fleming who says that holiness, as applied to God "carried with it ideas of moral perfection. God’s holiness meant that he was separated not only from the common every day world, but above all from sin". Let our prayer be to become as holy as our God is holy.
Kochumon Mathew, Mundakkayam.
