Holiness Isn’t Contagious
Haggai
2:12
There is a sacred line of individuality
that God does not allow any of us to cross. In the miracle of life, we enter
into this world more dependent than most of God’s creatures. The human infant
can do nothing by itself. It is forced into immediate dependence. By the age of
thirteen, almost all of that is missing. When we finally stand before God, it
will be 100% gone. We will then stand alone. Mothers and spouses will be locked
in another room. Everyone will then give an account of one’s own life. No
excuses will be believed or allowed. That is when everyone will need a Savior,
but for most, it will be too late.
A very interesting fact happens concerning
this line of individuality or independence as we mature. As children
(especially teenagers), we cherish our uniqueness. We want “to be our own man!”
Often teenagers express actions of rebellion, which are in fact no more than an
attempt to be their own person and not merely a person produced by parents,
much like cookies from a cookie cutter. A healthy teenager wants his
independence from his parents. A godly young person does it through honor and
of obedience to their parents as they slide smoothly into adulthood.
On the other hand, teenagers turn into adults
in their twenties and thirties, and they frequently ignore this heretofore
cherished line of individuality. They take babies from the womb and place them
in the confinement of a crib (aside from the fact that they won’t stay there,
teenagers look very strange in a crib). How common it is, however, for parents,
who once treasured their own individuality and independence, to struggle with
giving it to their children.
The apostle Paul states, “… I could wish
that I myself were accursed, [separated] from Christ for the sake of my
brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh (
Six centuries before Jesus paid for our sin, the prophet Haggai reminds us that holiness is not
transferable. A loving parent cannot thrust Christ’s payment for our sin upon
us. The gift of redemption must be individually received. Our Lord illustrated
this when He stood on top of the Mount of Olives and said, “How often I wanted to gather your children
together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were
unwilling” (Mt. 23:37). Holiness cannot be transferred
by the strong desire of a parent or of a Savior. It must be individually
received.
You and you alone must decide who you are,
who you will be, and where you will spend eternity. No one can transfer his or
her hope into your life. That is your call and yours
alone.
Holiness
Isn’t Contagious
Haggai 2:12
INTRODUCTION
The Four messages of Prophet Haggai
1.
2.
3.
4.
[a]
[b]
INSTRUCTION
1. The inadequacy of human righteousness
2. The accusation
of sufficient righteousness
3. The assurance of sufficient
righteousness
CONCLUSION
Seven Notes on
second Generation Christianity
1.
Parents
2.
Parents
3.
Parents
4.
Children of believers
5.
Children of believers
6.
Children of believers
7.
Everyone