Foreword
1 Peter 1:22 says, “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.” This means “purify your soul.” We sing hymns like “My Soul From Sin Set Free,” but if our souls are not truly cleansed from sin, our lives turn upside down.
To say “My soul is pure” means that “I have not defiled God’s Word.” What does it mean to defile the Word? When I fail to believe, receive, and obey God’s Word, then I will end up despising, disregarding, and casting it aside. This becomes a sin, resulting in defiling my soul.
If God’s Word enters my soul, how could it become impure? His Word is holy. John 17:17 declares that God’s Word is truth. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 teaches that when we receive God’s Word not as human words, but as the Word of God, it works within those who believe. The Word is active. Only when this happens can our soul be purified. Since God Himself is holy, we too can live a holy life.
Daniel 1 speaks of a consecrated life. It speaks of the blessing of consecration in all aspects of life: consecration in words, thoughts, food, and faith in God’s Word. Daniel and his three friends, while living in this sinful world, overcame themselves, sin, and the world, and became the fruit of thanksgiving before the blessing of consecration. The northern kingdom of Israel was taken captive by Assyria, but because they had no history of consecration, they never saw restoration on this earth. However, the southern kingdom of Judah was taken captive by Babylon, yet because they lived a consecrated life like Daniel and his three friends, they brought restoration to their entire nation. Through a consecrated life, the whole nation was blessed.
Set It Apart As Holy
Daniel 1:8
March 5, 2003 | Wednesday Sermon
Rev. Abraham Park
- 25년 2월호