Several years ago I wrote an essay on God’s holiness, and began by saying that of all God’s attributes, holiness was the most difficult for me to define. I reread that old essay recently and realized I’d missed something important: The word holiness as used to describe God has two distinct meanings.
To find out those two meaning of holiness, read the rest.
I was a wand’ring sheep, I did not love the fold; I did not love my Shepherd’s voice, I would not be controlled. I was a wayward child, I did not love my home; I did not love my Father’s voice, I loved afar to roam.
The Shepherd sought his sheep, The Father sought his child; They followed me o’er vale and hill, O’er deserts waste and wild: They found me nigh to death, Famished and faint and lone; They bound me with the bands of love, They saved the wand’ring one.
Jesus my Shepherd is; ‘Twas he that loved my soul, ‘Twas he that washed me in his blood, ‘Twas he that made me whole; ‘Twas he that sought the lost, That found the wand’ring sheep, ‘Twas he that brought me to the fold, ‘Tis he that still doth keep.
I was a wand’ring sheep, I would not be controlled; But now I love my Shepherd’s voice, I love, I love the fold. I was a wayward child, I once preferred to roam; But now I love my Father’s voice, I love, I love his home.
—Horatius Bonar
Other hymns, worship songs, prayers, sermons excerpts, or quotes posted today:
Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.
Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched, Weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, Full of pity joined with pow’r: He is able, He is able, He is able, He is willing; doubt no more.
Come, ye needy, come and welcome, God’s free bounty glorify; True belief and true repentance, Ev’ry grace that brings you nigh, Without money, Without money, Without money, Come to Jesus Christ and buy.
Come, ye weary, heavy laden, Bruised and broken by the fall; If you tarry till you’re better, You will never come at all: Not the righteous, Not the righteous, Not the righteous, Sinners Jesus came to call.
Let not conscience make you linger, Nor of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness he requireth Is to feel your need of him; This he gives you, This he gives you, This he gives you; ‘Tis the Spirit’s rising beam.
Lo! th’incarnate God, ascended, Pleads the merit of his blood; Venture on him, venture wholly, Let no other trust intrude: None but Jesus, None but Jesus, None but Jesus Can do helpless sinners good.
—Joseph Hart
Other hymns, worship songs, prayers, sermons excerpts, or quotes posted today:
Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.
Friday, August 7, 2015 at 8:38AM