Communication

---

Something has happened to Holiness; she's gone! Search for her! She must groom the Bride for the Bridegroom's coming.


[email protected]
josprel@jino,com
611 words

What Happened to Holiness?
by
Josprel

Something has happened to Holiness! In the frenzy of our activities, we don't see her around much anymore. Actually, it seems as if she left quite awhile ago.
She wasn't evicted by us. However, since we've only recently noticed her absence, it is evident we neglected her. Yes, our Holiness is missing.

Born Again appears alive and well. Even the Charismatic Gifts clan makes an occasional appearance, but where is Holiness?

Our lamented Holiness is not that frowning-faced, dark-colors-only, hems-to-the-ankle, legalistic impostor, who always yells, "That's worldliness!" even at the healthy fun, laughter and joy displayed by believers. That's not the Holiness we love and for whom we seek. Our sweet, gentle, tender-hearted Holiness graces the Bride of Christ with her vibrant beauty. She encouraged the Bride to live as the Bridegroom lived in the world. Her stabilizing influence assures the Bride that she soon shall see her Bridegroom (Heb. 12:14).

Reliable sources reported that Holiness left when she felt stripped of her Scriptural essence. Apparently, she felt demoted to the inferior status of a theological anachronism. She was grief-stricken over this, claiming we considered her demeanor unsuitable to our modern lifestyles. The reports conclude that, most likely, Holiness will not return until she again is elevated to her former status.

A general feeling of dismay now is discernible among those who once knew Holiness. They did not intend to demote her; they just took her for granted. They recognize that Holiness is infinitely appropriate to this generation and absolutely essential to its welfare. They miss her and wish to tell her so. They also want her to know of their assurance that God's Word remains as immutable as its Author. Holiness must be informed of those who desire to lovingly embrace her. She must be notified of their understanding that, without her, the Bride is in jeopardy of being asleep when her Bridegroom appears. Those who comprise this group realize that the beauty of Holiness is essential within their churches; otherwise they descend to the mundane status of mere organizations, a status they endeavor to evade. This group mourns when the Holy Spirit grieves over the absence of Holiness. She is essential to the Bride's maturity (Rom. 6:19-23; Ep. 4:1-32).

Holiness always has pure intentions. She defines her mission clearly, avoiding complicated theological jargon. Her task is to shield Christ's Bride from the spiritual dangers of an iniquitous world and set her apart for the Bridegroom.

Holiness gauges the Bride's maturity. She insists that only her beautifying care meets the requirements for the Bride to appear before the Bridegroom's Father (Heb. 12:9-14). As the Bride waits for the coming of her Bridegroom, the Spirit and beauty of Holiness empowers her to triumph over the trials that are so essential to her maturity (II Chronicles 20:15-22; I Chronicles 16:27-29).

The departure of Holiness deprives the Bride of her spiritual "beautician" (Gal. 5:19-26; Ps. 93:4-5; 96:6-9). The Spirit of Truth is commissioned to purify the Bride for the coming of her Bridegroom. Holiness is the agent He employs for this task. He looks to her to beautify the Bride. This she accomplishes by applying her beauty secrets. She cleanses, purifies and transforms the Bride into conformity to the Bridegroom. It is, therefore, vital that Holiness be immediately located! She must resume her beautification of the Bride as only she can do. She alone understands and can apply the process by which the Holy Spirit transforms the Bride into the image of her Bridegroom. (II Cor. 3:17-18; Rom. 12:1-2).

What happened to Holiness? Where is she? The Bridegroom desires her beautifying attributes in His Bride.
-30-


For more stories and articles by Josprel, log on to:

http://www.worthfinding.com/columns/perrello.html
FaithWriters.com
ChristianWriters.com
AuthorZone.com
http://www.geocities.com/josprel































[email protected]

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE