Further Thoughts On Holiness

Here are two further thoughts on holiness that I found in my notes today – I am not sure where they come from, but they are good food for thought. First a very helpful comparison between holiness and morality:

Holiness is better than moral­ity. It goes beyond it

Holiness re­gards the whole nature of man.

Holiness affects the heart.

Holiness re­spects the motive.

A moral man does not do wrong in his actions;

A holy man hates the thought of doing wrong.

A moral man does not swear;

A holy man adores.

A moral man would not commit outward sin;

A holy man would not commit inward sin. And if committed, he would pour forth floods of tears.

…and then a beautiful picture of holiness and devotion standing guard over the presence of God as He dwells in the sanctuary of our hearts:

"While the Austrian general was staying at the Hotel de Ville, upon the Grand Canal at Venice, I lodged at the same house, and as often as I passed his rooms, whether during the day or at night, I encountered two sentries on guard at the door. My heart said to itself, whenever the King of kings deigns to make a chamber of my spirit, let me set holiness and devotion to be sentries at the entrance. When our Beloved visits us He must not be disturbed. Ill thoughts must be repulsed, and carnal desires kept at a distance. With drawn swords let watchfulness preserve the sanctity of Immanuel's rest. "I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the hinds of the field that ye stir not up nor awake my love, till he please." "For the love of Christ compels us (2 Cor. 5:14)

…and a little something else that I noticed as I looked for Scriptures for this piece – these are the five guards that the Lord sets over our lives:

The Lord set the Law as a guard over the faith of His people in the Old testament

Gal. 3:23 But before faith came, we were under guard by the Law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
The law was God's first guard over His people

The Lord sets a guard over our lips

Ps. 141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

But we also have to guard our own lips. Just think – of all the “guarding” that is going on here, it is the guarding of our lips that is highlighted: Ps. 39:1 I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me."

The Lord sets Himself - His presence, as a guard over us

Is. 52:12 For you shall not go out with haste, Nor go by flight; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

The Lord sets His glory as a guard over us

Is. 58:8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

The Lord sets His peace as a guard over our hearts and minds

Phil. 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.