Hi Folks!
We're continuing on with our study of the Lord's Prayer. Last time we left
off with hallowed be your Name. The more I think about the holiness
of our Lord the more I recognize we could talk about this forever and still
not fully cover the subject. The reason being, it's not just a subject we
are talking about when we talk about God's holiness, but God Himself! He is
not only a holy personality but Holy is His name. This is the name
of the third person of the trinity... Holy Spirit. So this study,
or any other study that I do for that matter is not complete in itself. What
I intend to do more than anything in covering the Lord's Prayer with these
series of messages, is to focus more on the "attitude" of what the
Master is showing us. There are many different kinds of prayer, but one thing
is common - God.
We live in a world full of different beliefs and religions. To one person
"God" might mean Allah, or to another it may mean Buddha or one
of a myriad of other personalities. To some it may be a statue or a man made
idol of some kind, even a tree or a "holy" mountain just to name
a few. Some even believe they are a God unto themselves. But there is only
one true "living" God and He has been manifested to us and to the
whole world through our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ! Our God is the Most High
God. The Lord our God is one God manifested in three individual personalities;
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity is a
mystery to many and can only be discerned spiritually with the help of the
Holy Spirit through the living Word. Thank God as Christians we have the precious
Holy Spirit that lives inside us to help us understand the mysteries of God
and His kingdom. We will be ever learning and growing in our ability to comprehend
the wonders of our great God and King!
Let's look at another definition of Holy according to "Strongs".
Holy = "A sacred place or thing which has been consecrated,
dedicated, separated, hallowed. Root word = to be, to make, or to observe
clean, cleanness." Our God is holy and separated, pure and clean. No
other god has names and personal attributes like our God. Each of God's names
say something of His character, His nature and willingness to get involved
in our lives. God with us, our Saviour, our Healer, our Provider, our
Banner, our Deliverer (Protector), Prince of Peace... just to name a
few. You see, these Names and abilities are reserved only for Him. These names
are holy or separated for Him only.
I believe one of the things the Lord was endeavouring for us to grab hold
of when we pray, was to continually remind ourselves of His holiness. As God's
dear children we are to imitate our Father in Heaven, and if we see Him as
Holy then this will help us live holy also.
Therefore be imitators of God therefore as dearly loved children
Ephesians 5:1 (NIV)
But as He who called you is Holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, "Be holy, for I am Holy" 1Peter
1:15-16
The Word has called us a holy generation and we are to live that
way as the Most High's children. We are by very definition of the word holy
to live clean and separated to the service of God. We are to be separated
unto cleanness. There is a lot of uncleanness in many a Christian life, and
I say this to our shame.
... I will have to grieve because many of you who sinned earlier have
not repented of your impurity (uncleanness), sexual immorality, and eagerness
for lustful pleasure 2Corinthians 12:21 (NLT)
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything
that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for
God 2Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)
After being born again into the family of God we are to live for Him only
and not for ourselves (see 2Cor 5:15). As He is Holy we are to live a holy
lifestyle in every aspect of what we do. As we seek His way of living and
being right, all the things we need or desire in this life will be automatically
added to us (see Matthew 6:33). What we want should not be our first priority
in this life, but seeking Him. If we will align things in the right order
we can boldly ask the Father for whatever we need and He will give it to us
in Jesus mighty Name! This brings us now to the next portion of the Lord's
prayer... Your kingdom come.
God bless you
David
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"In this manner therefore pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your
name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For
yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
Matthew 6:9-13