Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1914 — Holiness to the Lord [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Holiness to the Lord

By REV. L. W. GOSNELL

Aairtaat to 4m Dm MeOr BM. I.MMH. Oia—

TEXT—Exodus 28:*. Zechariah 14:30, Revelation 22:4.

As these three I verses are quoted, it will be seen that there is : a connection between them and | that all have to do with our theme, “Holiness -t to the Lord.” We are glveb-^ The Purport of Holiness.—Exodus 28:36 reads, “And thou shall make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon It, like the

engravings of a signet, ‘Holiness to the Lord.’ ” This inscription was worn upon tjie mitre of the high priest, who stood as the representative of Israel. The word for holiness has as its root idea separation, dedication: hence this inscription meant that Israel was separated unto the Lord. This word may be applied to 1 inanimate things, such as the vessels and vestments of the sanctuary: but In the case of men, such separation as the word sets before ns will result in moral purity and righteousness, How do we need to be thus set afpart to God! This separation is to reach the heart and life as well as our service. One might even go to the foreign field and yet be unylelded to God, so far as the daily life is concerned. Much separation la expected of all : Christians, for in the New Testament all are spoken of as saints —separated ones. We have heard Of a teacher who called the worst cheat In bis class, Honest; the ihost tardy boy, Punctual; the most indolent boy. Diligent. As they were so addressed from day to day, they grew ashamed and tried more and more to live up to their names. God calls ns satnta: . let us be saints—separated ones. • The Permeation of Holiness.—-Zech-ariah 14:20 reads, “In that day slpri! :i there be upon the bells of the horses.,, Holiness untd the Lord; and the pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar.” This refers primarily to the happy millennial day which *ts coming. At that time, holiness shall so permeate Mfe that kitch- / en utensils shall be as holy as the vessels of the house of God. Even the horses, which were no*- qommonly used lh Israel because they savored so much of war and display, shall be consecrated: the very Inscription, once placed upon the priest’s mitre, shall be found on their bells. But while this passage looks to the future, we may even now permeate euf lives with holiness. Our diversions may be hallowed. Many are mad at this point, yet our recreations may be indulged In religiously. in order to better service for the Lord. We may even consecrate some things which, under certain circumstances, would not be lawful. A young man found that the very violin which had been a snare could be used to glorify God: this was like writing »n the bells of the horses. Holiness to the Lord. Business may be sacred. A man i. was told that his heart waa diseased and death might come at any time. "'He said to his employes, “In the future. this business will be so conducted that If my master comes at anv moment, I will not be ashamed.” This attitude towards je Bns Christ will make all business sacred. * .• All our work mty be sanctified. A : busy life need not hinder fellowship ' with God. Have we noticed that the Levites acted as butchers, br-kers, merchants, lawyers, physicians, teachers, and did many lowly things, each as lighting the lamps, sweeping the floors and preparing the wood for the altar? Yet they were ministers of the Lord! Our Lord Jesus Christ toiled for 30 years at Nazareth, yet when . he came forth God said "This is my beloved son. In who** I am well pleased.” Paul says, even to slaves, “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the L«Jrd. and not onto men. . . Ye serve the Lord Christ" (Cot 3:23. 24.) Ths Perfection of Holiness.—Revelation 22:4 reads, “His name shall bo In their foreheads.” This passage looks back to the one first read; the name of the Lord shall be Inscribed on ,lhe brow of the glorified just a* It was once inscribed on the mitre of Israel’s priest This implies ownership, for we write our names upon that which is ours. But more than ownership is implied. for the name of God stands for his character, God's very character shall be written upon us, and at last we shall be like him! • JHB An African girt, asked to bring a gift for Jesns, sold herself as a slave and brought the price, since she had nothing else to give. May we feel, with her. the force of tbla appeal: : “For the love of Christ oonstraiaetli us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died; and he died Tor an. that they which live should no longer live unto themselves. ’ but unto him who tor their sakes died “vr -*■" ,n * ,:,4>u