In the Beauty of Holiness

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHoliness — To be holy is to be exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one u003cemu003eperfectu003c/emu003e in goodness and righteousness; to be divine.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSome, in their self-righteousness foolishly believe themselves to already be u003cemu003eperfect in goodnessu003c/emu003e in their own eyes.  Considering how the self-righteous ones act, I find the notion that they believe themselves to be perfect in goodness to be a foolish notion.  Everyone desires to be the best person they could possibly be, however, our idea on what perfect in goodness – holy – looks like is completely flawed.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennMany approach the idea of being perfect in goodness with the same approach we saw in the Babylonians from my sermon last week; they believe the power and might they have procured to be a sign of them being u003cemu003eperfect u003c/emu003ein goodness.  The Babylonians said of themselves, u003cemu003e“I am” u003c/emu003ewhich is the very statement that the Lord called Himself to Moses.  To think in such a manner would be to equate one self to the Lord who is perfect in goodness – holy and righteous.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennLike I said in last week’s sermon – u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/stop-playing-the-fool/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00229531u0022u003eStop Playing the Foolu003c/au003e – the self-righteous believe themselves to be gods.  However, the supposed godliness and holiness of the self-righteous is so far from the true u003cemu003ebeauty u003c/emu003eof holiness.  So, I want to close out this month of sermons by focusing on the true beauty of holiness so that we can truly know what it is and u003cemu003eproperly u003c/emu003eportray the holiness that resides in all who truly believe in the Lord.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eStop Being Deceivedu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennDo you desire to be holy?  To the Ephesians, Paul wrote that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with u003cemu003eevery u003c/emu003ewind of doctrine, by the u003cemu003etrickery u003c/emu003eof men in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.+4%3A14u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEph. 4:14u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eSeek the truthu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe world deceives us with its idea of what is holy and good but if we truly desire to be holy, we must not fall for the trickery of the world.  As we saw last week, deception is a very powerful enemy of ours as it has the power to blind mankind from seeing u003cemu003ethe truthu003c/emu003e and as we know, the truth is in Jesus (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.+4%3A21u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEph. 4:21u003c/au003e).  So, in order for one to walk in the beauty of holiness, we must stop being deceived and seek for the truth.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennFinding the truth is actually not that hard.  Jesus told us plainly that u003cemu003eif u003c/emu003ewe seek the Lord, who again is truth, He will make Himself available to us and be found (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+7%3A7u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 7:7u003c/au003e).  Over the past couple of weeks, we have seen that this is definitely the case.  As we saw, Job, Abraham and Sarah all needed to slow down and put their hearts in the right place in order to gain clarity and understanding from the Lord.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhat often happens to us is that we rush ahead of God, who is the beginning of knowledge, and miss out on the truth.  You have heard me say it before but I want you to understand that it takes a u003cemu003ehumble heart u003c/emu003eto find the Lord.  You see, a prideful and self-righteous person will never find the Lord and therefore, they can never know true holiness.  So, if we truly desire to be holy by seeking the truth from the Lord, we must humble ourselves – we must be u003cemu003ematureu003c/emu003e.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eHumble yourselfu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTo this point, Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “do not be children in understanding … but in understanding be u003cemu003emature u003c/emu003e(u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor.+14%3A20u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Cor. 14:20u003c/au003e).”  So, in order for one to truly become holy, as the Lord is, one must take a humble and u003cemu003emature u003c/emu003eapproach.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, what is fascinating about this point from Paul is that though u003cemu003elittle children u003c/emu003eare immature, little children can be very mature when it comes to asking questions; a little child will drive you crazy with the amount of questions that they can ask!  Little children simply want to know how things work and so they will ask a ton of questions.  However, it is when the little child grows up just a bit and becomes a teenager – which is still a child by the way – that they suddenly know everything; they stop asking questions and end up having to learn things the hard way.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe world’s doctrine would tell you that obtaining wealth and power equals godliness – therefore holiness.  By this logic, the one who is most greedy would be on track to becoming holy. This would also suggest that the one who is filled with covetousness is also on track to becoming holy.  Therefore, those who seemingly have a lack of humility and empathy, because of their greed and covetousness, must also be on track to becoming holy, according to the world.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIf these are the characteristics that lead to holiness, I personally want nothing to do with it because nothing about greed, covetousness, and a lack of compassion sounds beautiful.  There are many people who live by such a doctrine that believe they should be exalted and praised because they have gained the world by such a manner.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennMany have bought into the notion that gaining the world will put them above all problems, they will have no struggles, and that they will be invincible.  I, again, suggest to you today to not have the mindset of an immature teen.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe mindset of a teenage child is most vulnerable to being tricked and deceived into making poor decisions.  Sadly, the mind of the self-righteous is just as a teenage child that refuses to listen to the truth.  If you desire to attain holiness, you cannot be like an immature child and follow the council of fools.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eThe Beauty of Holinessu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, again, we must not be carried about by every wind of doctrine and by the trickery of men!  True holiness, I want you to see and know is u003cemu003enothing u003c/emu003elike the messiness of the world’s idea for what is perfect in goodness and righteousness; true holiness is absolutely beautiful.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eWalking in the beauty of holinessu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn order for one to walk in the u003cemu003etrue u003c/emu003ebeauty of holiness, Paul tells us u003cemu003enot u003c/emu003eto grieve the Holy Spirit of God; to let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speech be put away from us with all u003cemu003emaliceu003c/emu003e (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.+4%3A30%2C31u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEph. 4:30,31u003c/au003e).  Let us understand that holiness is what all true believers should actually be striving to become!  Thankfully, the Lord has shown us the way that we can become holy so that we do not have to do like the self-righteous who u003cemu003eguess u003c/emu003eand exalt themselves as being holy and righteous.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:pullquote u002du002du003enu003cfigure class=u0022wp-block-pullquoteu0022u003enu003cblockquoteu003eu003csupu003e17 u003c/supu003eThis I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind … u003csupu003e23 u003c/supu003eand be renewed in the spirit of your mind, u003csupu003e24 u003c/supu003eand that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.nnu003cciteu003eKEY VERSE – EPHESIANS 4:17, 23-24 NKJVu003c/citeu003eu003c/blockquoteu003enu003c/figureu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:pullquote u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn our key verse for this week’s message, Paul writes that in order for us to be holy, we must not walk as others who are u003cemu003edeceived u003c/emu003eby the futility of their mind.  Paul encourages us to walk in the u003cemu003erenewed u003c/emu003espirit of our mind.  To do this, Paul tells us that we should put on the u003cemu003enew man u003c/emu003ewhich was created according to God, in u003cemu003etrue righteousness and holinessu003c/emu003e.  So, because we through our faith are u003cemu003eborn u003c/emu003eof God, who is holy, we should u003cemu003ewalk u003c/emu003ein His holiness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, let’s be clear about this, true righteousness and holiness does not come by way of any actions of wickedness.  As we have learned, studied, and know, true holiness and righteousness can u003cemu003eonly u003c/emu003ecome from the Lord who is both holy and righteous.  This is just as Jesus taught us when He stated that a good (righteous) tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a u003cemu003ebad u003c/emu003e(corrupt) tree bear good fruit (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+7%3A18u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 7:18u003c/au003e).  The world cannot bring forth holiness and righteousness because it, the world, is not holy nor righteous.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eA tongue of truthu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennCompared to those who walk in the ugliness of self-righteousness, Paul tells us that if we desire to walk in the beauty of holiness, we need to put away the lying tongue (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.+4%3A25u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEph. 4:25u003c/au003e).  As we saw a couple of weeks ago, James stated that the tongue can u003cemu003edefile u003c/emu003e(corrupt) the whole body and has the power to u003cemu003eset fire u003c/emu003ethe course of nature (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas.+3%3A5-6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJas. 3:5-6u003c/au003e).  The one that desires to be holy needs to get rid of that lying tongue because of its destructive power!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn his letter to the Colossians, Paul tell us, “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new u003cemu003emanu003c/emu003e who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him (God) who created him (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col.+3%3A9-10u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eCol. 3:9-10u003c/au003e).”  The lying tongue stirs up a bunch of strife (contention) and confusion.  One that lives in a manner that promotes the lying tongue is promoting a work of deception that leads to destruction.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOf this one, Solomon called the liar a wicked person.  Solomon said, “The wicked man does deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.  As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov.+11.18-19u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eProv. 11.18-19u003c/au003e).”  I tell you today that the tongue of one that is holy and righteous should not promote destruction but should be promoting life.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAgain, in the book of Proverbs, Solomon wrote, “the mouth of the righteous is a u003cemu003ewell of lifeu003c/emu003e, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov.+10%3A11u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eProv. 10:11u003c/au003e).”  This should make you wonder:  How could anyone ever consider themselves to be holy when they do nothing but bring harm and destruction to others through their lies and deceptions?  You see, the way of one who is truly walking in the beauty of holiness is a way of hope – it is u003cemu003euplifting u003c/emu003eas it uplifts others by words of u003cemu003etruth u003c/emu003efrom the Lord.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eWords of encouragement, hope, and lifeu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe will see that Paul focused on this thought of hope given through the beauty of holiness to the Ephesians.  Compared to those who walk in the ugliness of self-righteousness, the one that walks in the beauty of holiness, Paul said, they should let u003cemu003eno corrupt word u003c/emu003eproceed out of their mouths (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.+4%3A29u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEph. 4:29u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe have to remember that the u003cemu003eHoly Spirit u003c/emu003edwells in all who have accepted Christ in their heart.  Through this inner dwelling, the Holy Spirit is transforming us from that old unrighteous man who is unable to give others hope into a new person that is holy and righteous.  So, the spirit of one that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in should be a spirit that brings forth good fruit (hope) to all of those around them.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTherefore, the words that pour out the mouth of the believer should certainly not be deceiving lies nor should they be corrupt words that would poison the hearts of others.  The words that come from the heart and the mouths of believers should be words that are good for u003cemu003enecessary u003c/emu003eedification; these are encouraging words that will impart grace to those that hear them (Eph. 4:29).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennLet us consider and think of the Lord and the manner that He deals with us.  Are the words from God not encouraging words?  Are the words from God not words that heal us in those times when we are in need of healing?  Do the words of God not comfort us in those times when we need comforting?  Does the words of God not uplift us in those times when we have hit rock bottom and are in need of being lifted back up to our feet?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennYes, there are times when the Lord’s words may u003cemu003eappear u003c/emu003eharsh to us but the Lord speaks to us from a place of love.  From this place of love and compassion, God u003cemu003ealways u003c/emu003eencourages us and His words give us hope and life rather than tear and beat us down to death.  Holiness, I want you to understand, u003cemu003ebreathes u003c/emu003ehope and life into those that stand in witness of its beauty!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eBrings calm and peaceu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennCompared to those who walk in the ugliness of self-righteousness, the believer, Paul says, should not move out of anger and wrath.  “Be angry,” he says, “and do not sin; do not give place to the devil (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.+4%3A26-27u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEph. 4:26-27u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPaul was a man that understood very well that all people, whether they are a believer or not, can be moved to anger and u003cemu003eact u003c/emu003eout of anger.  Even God, we see, can be u003cemu003eprovokedu003c/emu003e due to those that oppose Him or His people.  Yet, when God moves, He moves justly and out of righteousness – His judgment is just and righteous.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOn the other hand, when we move out of anger, we move wildly and in a way that leads to more and more sin and harm.  So, Paul speaks to the idea that we need to learn how to put such anger in control; we need to learn self control.  Therefore, we who desire to walk in the beauty of holiness, must learn how to control our temper – our anger.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOne that walks in the beauty of holiness cannot lash out in anger and wrath as neither action can produce holiness or righteousness.  “Repay no evil with evil,” Paul said, and he continued, “Have regard for good things in the sight of all men (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom.+12%3A17u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRom. 12:17u003c/au003e).” The one that is holy should give place to wrath for vengeance is the Lord’s and He will repay it (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom.+12%3A19u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRom. 12:19u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe one that desires to be holy should be u003cemu003eslow u003c/emu003eto anger and wrath, but be patient in heart.  Those that are patient in heart will bring about peace and calm (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov.+15%3A18u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eProv. 15:18u003c/au003e).  So, the end result of true holiness is just that – a bringer of peace and calm.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs true believers, we should always be seeking to bring peace and calm to others.  As Paul encouraged the believers in Rome, I would encourage all of you today who desire to walk in the beauty of holiness – if it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live u003cemu003epeaceably u003c/emu003ewith all people (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom.+12%3A18u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRom. 12:18u003c/au003e).  This is the way of the Lord – He desires for there to be peace and for all of us to live in that peace with one another.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eBe Holy in Your Conductu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSelf-righteousness, I want you to understand, is an evil plague that has spread through our society and around the world; it has brought about great harm to many people.  The reason being is because the self-righteous ones believe themselves to be perfect when they are not; they see themselves as being holy and righteous as if they are gods.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThis, we know, leads to them trying to dictate their ways on others when, in truth, they are not what they think they are.  In fact, their failures are doing nothing to uplift anyone but themselves as they glory in their so-called righteousness and exalt themselves.  God does not desire for anyone to carry themselves in such a manner.  Yes, the Lord wants you to walk in the beauty of holiness, but He desires for you to walk in His beauty and holiness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eThe lofty will be humbledu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThrough the prophet Isaiah, it is said, “the lofty looks of man will be humbled, the u003cemu003ehaughtiness u003c/emu003eof men will be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.  For the day of the Lord of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything u003cemu003elifted up u003c/emu003e- and it shall be brought low (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Is.+2%3A11-12u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eIs. 2:11-12u003c/au003e).”  One day, the false image of godliness, holiness, and righteousness will be torn down by the Lord – it will not stand.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHowever, as I referenced in last week’s message, Christ said that the Lord will exalt those that humble themselves (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+23%3A12%3B+Luke+14%3A11u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 23:12; Luke 14:11u003c/au003e).  Let us remember, it is the humble heart that leads us to truly becoming holy.  As we have seen today, those that humble themselves open themselves up to walking in the beauty of God’s holiness because we are able to submit ourselves to the way of truth – the way of God.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThose that walk in the beauty of holiness walk in a manner to where they serve others rather than boast about all they have accomplished!  For this, the holy ones will be exalted u003cemu003eby u003c/emu003eGod – this is the highest of praises.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI make this statement to you today because I u003cemu003eknow u003c/emu003ethat all people try to live their lives doing what they believe is right and good – we desire to be the best person we can be.  God, I want you to understand, takes the u003cemu003eguesswork u003c/emu003eaway from having to guess what is holy and righteous.  God desires for us to grow and improve ourselves by simply following u003cemu003eHis u003c/emu003elead.  When we follow His lead, we will truly walk in the beauty of holiness and it will be a beautiful sight for all to see.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e