Personal Holiness Relational Godliness
Personal Holiness as God’s kids (2 Corinthians 6:16-18) As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." {17} "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." {18} "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 7:1) 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. (Proverbs 9:10) "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
True Godliness is Personal and Relational Personal Holiness Influence toward True Godliness Relational Godliness True Godliness is Personal and Relational
Influence through Relationship Grace-oriented Let love and faithfulness never leave you (3:3) Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. (20:28) Overlook offenses/forgive (17:14; 19:11) A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11) Restrain anger/be patient (15:1; 16:32) …a harsh word stirs up anger (15:1) Be Humble/admit faults (3:7;16:5; 19:20; 21:4) Haughty eyes and a proud heart… are sin! (21:4)
God’s parenting intent – Develop more God-focused people (Proverbs 2:1,5) My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, … {5} then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (Psalms 78:4-7) …We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. …{6} so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. {7} Then they would put their trust in God… (Malachi 2:15) Has not the LORD made them one? ...And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring.
Discipline – Because character is shaped earlier than we may think (Proverbs 1:2-4) …for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; {3} for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; {4} for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-- (Proverbs 20:11) Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. (Proverbs 22:6) Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.