A Fence of Holiness
Pastor Johnson Bowie
June 6, 2021
Genesis 2:15-17 NLT
The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”
The only way Satan could convince Eve to sin was getting her to believe God’s fence wasn’t good for her.
QADOSH: Hebrew – Holy, to be set apart for a special purpose
Leviticus 19:1-2 NIV
The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be HOLY because I, the Lord your God, am HOLY.’”
1 Peter 1:14-16 NLT
So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be HOLY in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
Hebrews 10:14 NIV
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Psalm 2:2–4 NLT
The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.
Proverbs 29:18 ESV
Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Why Is Holiness Worth Protecting?
- God wants to save me.
Romans 6:19 NIV
Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” – Robert Morris
Most of us are one fence away from a fall.
“Temptation usually comes in through a door that has deliberately been left open.” – Arnold Glasgow
Why Is Holiness Worth Protecting?
- God wants to love me.
God-made fences are a protection, but man-made fences are a prison.
Mark 7:6–8 NIV
“Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
Revelation 2:2-4 NKJV
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, THAT YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE.”
Legalism is living looking at the fence. Holiness is living looking at God.
Why Is Holiness Worth Protecting?
- God wants to send me.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 NIV
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
“God can do more through one person who is 100 percent dedicated to Him than through 100 who are only 90 percent.” – Dawson Trotman
1 Peter 2:9 NKJV
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, A HOLY NATION, HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
