Some Things Never Change
The neighbor looked at the wild eyed, doomsday preacher and said, "What you say is true about our wicked and violent world, and it only makes sense that God will judge us someday. If I were you I would try to find an escape." The holiness preacher answered with shocked incredulity at the neighbor's remark, and pointed to his boat, saying, "I do have an escape, for me, my wife, my three son's and their wives, and animals galore." The neighbor responded by getting drunk, beating his wife and abusing his children. Some things never change.
The neighbor looked at the wild eyed, doomsday preacher and said, "What you say is true about our wicked and violent world, and it only makes sense that God will judge us someday. If I were you I would try to find an escape." The holiness preacher answered with shocked incredulity at the neighbor's remark, and pointed to his boat, saying, "I do have an escape, for me, my wife, my three son's and their wives, and animals galore." The neighbor responded by getting drunk, beating his wife and abusing his children. Some things never change.
A FEW THOUGHTS...
Actually, Noah was a preacher of hope and grace for those who would repent, but there would be judgment for those who resisted and rejected God's call, just as there will be in the future (Mt. 22:14).
Noah Was A Holiness Preacher.
2 Peter 2:5
(5) And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
Note...
Noah Was A Holiness Preacher.
2 Peter 2:5
(5) And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
Note...
Righteousness does not mean simply a legal declaration of justification, it means a Divine imparting of righteousness (holiness).
Strong tells us that the word in this passage (S-1343) comes from a word (S-1342) which means equitable (in character or act), innocent or holy.
Thayer tells us that this word indicates the condition which is acceptable to God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting.
Strong tells us that the word in this passage (S-1343) comes from a word (S-1342) which means equitable (in character or act), innocent or holy.
Thayer tells us that this word indicates the condition which is acceptable to God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting.
The Message And The Messenger
Noah was a holiness preacher, not only because he preached holiness of heart and life, but because he was a recipient of saving grace.
Noah Was A Righteous Man And Perfect In His Generation, And He Walked With God.
Genesis 6:8-9
(8) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
(9) These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Noah Was The Heir Of Righteousness (holiness) By Faith.
Hebrews 11:6-7
(6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
(7) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
(8) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
(9) These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Noah Was The Heir Of Righteousness (holiness) By Faith.
Hebrews 11:6-7
(6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
(7) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
More Than Mental Assent
Both sinners and believers are often impressed with the validity of Bible teaching and preaching, but most of them refuse to follow the way of the cross, because they consider the personal cost to be too great.
People have told me that they agree with my message, but if they followed it, they would lose their “stuff,” they would “end up in jail,” they would lose their “families,” they might “be killed” for their faith. Believers have told me that no one else has ever shown them the Biblical truth of holiness of heart and life, but then they return to churches that teach graceless, sinning religion.
Holiness Is Not Just An Option, It Is An Obligation.
Hebrews 12:14
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
1 John 3:2-10
(2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
(3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
(5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
(6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
(7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
(8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
(9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
(10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
People have told me that they agree with my message, but if they followed it, they would lose their “stuff,” they would “end up in jail,” they would lose their “families,” they might “be killed” for their faith. Believers have told me that no one else has ever shown them the Biblical truth of holiness of heart and life, but then they return to churches that teach graceless, sinning religion.
Holiness Is Not Just An Option, It Is An Obligation.
Hebrews 12:14
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
1 John 3:2-10
(2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
(3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
(5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
(6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
(7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
(8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
(9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
(10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
The Christian's answer to a world in chaos (failed education, corrupted government, greed driven economics, pro-sodomy social code, violence, bigotry, sinning religion) is living a life of holiness and perfect love, which flows from a pure heart.
I could quote famous people who contradict these words or explain them away, but I have chosen to believe God and His word.
Indeed, some things never change.
Launch Out and Hold Fast,
Pastor David L. Gould
