Joseph Stowell
February 3, 2003
7:15 pm
Message Summary
"We have too many of us walking around looking like we don’t have a God," warned Dr. Stowell in the opening session of Founder’s Week. Speaking from I Peter 1, Dr. Stowell emphasized that our motivation for holiness is different than how the church often sees it. We should seek to be holy because that reflects God’s character, not because we are trying to earn the approval of those around us or perform spiritual gymnastics. Holiness is how we show to whom we belong and serve.
Holiness itself is rarely mentioned when Christians talk specifically about spiritual goals. In fact, if honest, we’d admit that the word often conjures up ideas of legalism or a list of what is allowed or off-limits. With such a vague understanding of holiness, we have little motivation to pursue it. However, it is a logical and critical mandate for the church because we follow a God who is holy.
Beginning in Genesis 3 and throughout the Bible, we see God’s holiness starkly contrasted against what Stowell referred to as the "backdrop of man’s sin." Everything about holiness is separate and different from what the world markets as success and happiness. God is the antithesis of all false gods, sinful desires, and sinful actions of the world. Therefore, to stand for Him, the Christian must model his or her life after God’s holiness. It is not an optional challenge for the believer who has little to do and wants extra homework. The call to holiness is the call to witness who our God is. In I Peter, it is written to be holy because God is holy.
Stowell noted the encouragement implied in such a mandate. For with God’s demand that we seek holiness is his promise to supply us the strength to persevere. God does not behave like a celebrity who refuses to associate with "common people." He is not aloof in his holiness, but stooping down to help us when we call out to Him.
Student Response
Growing up in the church, I’ve always had a vague conviction that God desires to cultivate holiness in me. But when focused on in isolation, I become nearsighted. I forget to look at God, as my model for holiness, my inspiration, my Helper, and my ultimate reward for such perseverance. Instead I analyze my motives, thoughts and actions to the point of being neurotic about each little mistake. I get confused about who I’m trying to please, and sometimes end up worrying more about the people around me in the pews than about the opinion of the One we go there to worship. Dr. Stowell’s message from a familiar but profound text was a good challenge to get over myself and realize my motivation and means for living a holy life is not a program or a project but a holy God who died to adopt me into his family. That provides the motivation to be an obedient child and put down my checklist.
—Jessie Davis, Senior, Communications/Print Media major