The Holiness of God Demands There Be a Separation of Men and Women God's requirement for Holiness for mankind is revealed in His moral law, found in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament. II Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" The ceremonial part of the law was for the Jew until Christ. But the moral law of God is ever binding on mankind as long as men exist. Romans 13:8-10 "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” This refers to the moral law and is speaking to the Christian. God commands five different times for us to be Holy, because He is Holy. Leviticus 19:2, "Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.” Leviticus 20:7-26 "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine." I Peter 1:15-16 "but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." The scriptures say eight times that God is Holy. God only has to say something one time for it to be important. So therefore, you can see the importance of holiness. The word holy, according to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, means "properly whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper, or dispositions; free from sin and sinful effections." (emphasis added) God’s standard for holiness is found in his word which is our authority. II Timothy 3:17. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” The word moral means "relating to the practice, manners or conduct of men as social beings in relation to each other, and with reference to right and wrong. The word moral is applicable to actions that are good or evil, virtuous or vicious, and has reference to the law of God as the standard by which their character is to be determined." So God's moral law never changes and is the same in any dispensation of time. Let's look at some of the moral laws of God. Six of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus, deal with God's moral law for man toward man. Leviticus 18 deals with the sexual conduct of mankind. Some of these sins are not dealt with in the New Testament, but are still binding today. Deuteronomy 22 contains some of the moral laws of God and some of his statutes. Proverbs 6:16-19. "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." This deals with the moral law for attitude toward ourselves and others. In the New Testament we find moral law in Ephesians, Galatians, etc. God commands us to be holy and we can't set our standards to suit ourselves, but must agree with what God says is holiness. God's standard of holiness and the moral law does not change. It is important to obey it whether found in the New Testament or the Old. In the day and age we live, people want a buffet style religion so they can pick and choose the standards according to their preferences. Due to this attitude, there are preachers who have itching ears and have quit preaching God's holiness because they realize the people don’t want to hear it or live it. Since holiness is not being preached, people who say they are Christians live worse than lost moral people of fifty years ago. As a general rule, when dealing with Christians about holiness, they have more problems with worldly dress than with sexual immorality. This immorality of cross dressing is just as wicked as homosexuality. They both are an abomination to God. When the Church allows this sin to creep in, how can they expect the Lord to bless their services? Now I can hear some one say, “Our people cross dress and we have a large church.” The charismatics have large congregations but we know that our God is not blessing that mess. |