“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

The word “holiness” has fallen out of favour in the 21st century, even in Christian circles. Somehow the ‘spirit of the age’ has lulled God’s people into thinking that free and full salvation in Christ means that holiness doesn’t matter. Yet it is interesting that this transitional verse in 2 Corinthians 7 directly follows verses citing the Hebrew scriptures connecting Israel’s salvation to the required response of holiness (Isaiah 52:11). The striking reality is that the promises of God’s Fatherhood are only given to those who show themselves to be holy (2 Cor.6:16-18) It’s clear that those who are sons of God in Christ are those who display a holy life. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).

It may well be true that the current climate of casual Christianity means we are ripe for a disciplining visit from God’s Holy Spirit. Our decaying morality should be a warning sign to us all. It seems we are becoming too familiar with our selfish, sexualized and sensual culture. In a world that is becoming increasingly desensitized let’s resolve before the Lord to discipline ourselves to ongoing obedience and prayer for revival. May God grant us a holiness of life that reflects our Saviour far more effectively than just pointing fingers and throwing accusations.

#REACH500

This year is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and part of that celebration is the #REACH500 challenge. For those who are not yet aware of this, the goal is to get each local church to share the gospel with 500 new people. There can be no better way to celebrate the return of the gospel to the people than to take the gospel to the people. A number of projects have been launched by our local churches. Examples are: Guest evenings; Dinner gatherings; Speciality speaker events; personal evangelism programs; kids and family events and 1-2-1 meetings.

Let us know what you or your local church are doing. #REACH500

 

Ultra Heights Campus Tour

This month also sees the launch of our nationwide campus outreach.

After a year where we have seen so much bad news on our campus it’s time for some Good News to be proclaimed to our struggling students.

Pray for souls to be saved and changed for Christ. The Lord is at work.

Post of the Month

Come Out! Come Out! Whoever you are.

– Roydon Frost, Christ Church Midrand

Prayer

• Pray for our God to be at work in the leadership of our country. Pray that they will see fit to consider the many objections to the proposed Hate Speech law (including one from REACH-SA) and remove the bill.
• Pray for the Ministers and Bishops in our churches that God will strengthen them for the task of gospel ministry in 2017