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September 1st edition "Holiness" The Holiness movement, as I see it, is at a point where many broken friendships need to be mended. In the past several years the movement has split into two groups, which I refer to as "strict and loose." Not that the preachers teach it all that different, but the congregations have labeled themselves as what they are. People in the "strict" group try to live it as narrow as they can, nothing of the world is accepted. Children are raised as the parents want them to become, strict Holiness, with long sleeves and such. Individuals in the "loose" group tend to accept many things that the "strict" group shuns, such as short sleeves, television, even makeup. I have family and friends that I love in both groups, and respect preachers from both groups. Really, those who have a deep devotion in both groups live and believe about the same way. There has been too much of putting one group or the other down, and I am not going to go there. If we cannot get along on earth how are we going to get along in heaven? Let your light shine, and live your life the way the Lord directs you, not the way Mom or Dad wants you to live. After all, this is a know-so salvation, that you must get for yourself. Grandma can't save you, Momma or Daddy can't save you, Preacher can't save you, only the Blood of Jesus Christ can save you. Be washed white by the Blood of the Lamb, don't white-wash yourself. White-washing is when a person dresses Holiness, talks Holiness, even in some cases lives Holiness, but is not really washed by the Blood of the Lamb. Individuals who live the way they do to impress someone, are not impressing the Lord, he wants them to repent and be saved. "I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity." ~Luke 13:27 Other people feel the way I do about this split in the movement, preachers included. We go around both groups, and love them equally. Sometimes, individuals get a preconceived idea about a person. They believe the devil's lies, and think that a person is a way that they are not. Take my pastor for example. I have heard many people call him a "dictator" who tells us we have to do this and not that. This is not true! My pastor gently leads the sinner to Christ, and teaches the congregation straight from the Bible. (If it says it plainly in there, why go against it? Take it all, or leave it on the shelf.) He lets new believers slowly come to the way of Holiness. In one situation I know of it took nine years for a Sister to measure up, and he still had patience! And yet individuals cringe when I tell them my pastor's name. Why? Because they do not know him. Personally, I have the utmost respect for him. We should not live by a list of do's and don'ts. I don't do many things because I have no desire to do them. The Lord took the desire to watch movies away, to wear makeup, to cut my hair, to sin. Why should I do these things when I have such a wonderful loving Saviour, who took those things away and gave me the promise of everlasting life? Jesus said, "Follow me," and that is what we are all trying to do. Am I right? So what, we don't all believe exactly the same, but we are all trying to live the way the Bible tells us to live. At least I pray that we are. Lies have been told, spiteful things flung through the air, division has come amongst the Holiness people, because of the actions of a few. Most of the individuals who did this are not even in church anymore. We need to mend these broken hearts, bandage the wounds, and pray for those who spitefully use us. I realize that this article will stir emotions, however I feel like I need to say these things so that the movement can begin to come back together. Love as brethren, don't hate them because you cannot agree on a few things. "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." ~1Chronicles 16:22 God bless you,
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