Monday, September 17, 2007

Holiness

By it's very definition, the world seems to have lost the idea of the “holy.” When something is holy it is set-apart to God, it is sacred. There can be levels or degrees of sacredness. There may be things that are appropriate in church but not at the temple. The profane can’t tell the difference.

We can take the temple itself as a model. Solomon’s Temple displays the typical ascension imagery. Within the temple walls (salvation) there were three levels, the first outer court was outside, and it represented the telestial world, where we live today. Telestial ordinances were appropriate there, but only there. Then one would enter the “Holy Place” which represented the Terrestrial level, it was higher, and holier. Then there was the “Holy of Holies.” Or the Most Holy Place. Here only Celestial actions are permitted.

It is absolutely amazing how seemingly righteous people use the name of deity in not only in casual, but also in utterly profane discussions. Many feel fine about adding personage of deities to silly or vulgar jokes.

I am convinced that a lack of holiness is the reason many cannot grasp gospel concepts beyond an elementary level.

A true mystics prepares himself with a deep respect and fear of God, this is the beginning of wisdom.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” [Prob. 9:10]

HERE IS A LATE ADDITION: " The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." [Psalms 111:10

4 comments:

David Littlefield said...

In the original post I said:

“I am convinced that a lack of holiness is the reason many cannot grasp gospel concepts beyond an elementary level.”

I would like to take that concept a little further. When we rise from one degree of sanctification to another we are limited by a few things, such as the law [see D&C 88] we are willing live.

In conjunction with the law we are willing to live is the level or degree of holiness we cling to.

Only with the corresponding degree of holiness can we enter a kingdom of glory, in this life or the life beyond.

IMHO.

-DAVID

Anonymous said...

For the preaching of the cross to the that perish Foolishness; but unto us that are saved it is the Power of God.
The lack of Holiness is Due to Lack of the Holy Ghost,the gospel is basic and elementery and not sooo Mysterious,there are not Ladders to climb and no towers to be built.
For by Grace are yea saved thru faith; and not that of yourselves it is the Gift of God: not of works
lest any man should boast.
The Holy Ghost is the Revelation to the Truth and Jesus Christ was the Manifestation of the Truth in the Flesh.
With out the Holy Ghost the Truth is a Big Unknown just like the Unknown god , just as Paul the Apostle was one to persecute Jesus and the Saints in spite of all of his Learning and Being raised Religious.
By the Grace of God and not until receiving the Revelation of the Holy Ghost and the Manifestation could he Know of the things of God and Holiness,
His Religon and Learning were of no effect and a stumbling block and Saul became Paul and was Taught of the Spirit,
Of the partaker of the Holy Ghost is one who is Enlightened and has tasted the Heavenly Gifts.
Holiness is Being filled of the Holy Ghost, and those that are filled with the Holy Ghost also parkake of the gifts of the spirit;the gift of Tongues,prophesy,revelation,visions
Healing and the interpatation of Tongues and so forth,
One should follow after charity and desire Spiritual Gifts like speaking in the Tongues( as for self edification) and speaking In the Tongues of Angels (with interpators) for the edification of all,and to prophesy. and if one speaks in an Unkwown Tongue, pray that he may interpet.But if there be no interpter let him keep silence in church.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto Men but unto God.
Some would insist on building Towers to Heaven and climbing Mysterious Ladders to Heaven.
For other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid,which is Jesus Christ.
Know yea not that yea are the Temple of God,and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you.
If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool to be wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. for it is written he taketh the wise in thier own craftiness.
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain!,and have ran greedley after the error of Balaam for reward. and perished in the gainsayings of Core
Going to the Temple and church will not make one holy, any more than going to the barn will make you a cow.
I thank my God, that I speak with tongues more that ye all.
Werefore, brethern, desire to prophesy, and forbid not to speak in Tongues.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,I will pour out my Spirit
But ye, beloved building up yourselves on the most Holy faith,praying in the Holy Ghost.

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal life.
(exhaltation,saved)
Yea and wo unto them that say no that there can be no miracle wrought by Jesus Christ; for he that doeth this shall be like unto the son of predition, for whom there was no mercy, according to the word of Christ!
And these signs shall follow them that Beleive in Christ, they shall speak with new tongues.
Be ye Holy for I am Holy!!

David Littlefield said...

Here are a couple more snips:

“On the stage, on the telephone, sensitive ears and eyes are outraged daily by the unwarranted and blasphemous use of the names of the Lord our God. In the club, on the farm, in social circles, in business, and in every walk of life the names of the Redeemer are used presumptuously and sinfully. We who are thoughtless and careless, and we who are vicious and defiant, should remember that we cannot take the name of the Lord in vain with impunity. Are we not inviting eventual destruction as we desecrate all things holy and sacred, even to the common and irreverent use in our daily talk of the names of Deity?”

and

“True reverence is a vital quality, but one that is fast disappearing in the world as the forces of evil broaden their influences. We cannot fully comprehend the power for good we can wield if the millions of members of Christ’s true church will serve as models of reverent behavior. We cannot imagine the additional numbers of lives we could touch. Perhaps even more important, we cannot foresee the great spiritual impact on our own families if we become the reverent people we know we should be.”

[President Spence W. Kimbal]

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