I think it is good for us to stop here in Genesis to explore a topic that I consider to be most relevant. The topic of holiness-sanctification. Why? The folks who lived before the world wide flood were faced with several choices. Would they bow the knee before God and only accept His salvation by the blood of the Lamb? Would those who were saved live a holy life for God? Would those who were saved reach out to the unsaved to share God's word with them? Well, many did and we are introduced to some of them in this magnificant book of the bible. As well, three such individuals are mentioned in the Hebrews spiritual Hall of Fame
(Hebrews 11:4-7). But over a period of time, a problem started to arise. Unsaved folks in the world chose to live unholy lives- they threw God away, His salvation, and His decree to live holy for Him. They politically took over the world. The righteous blended in with the unrighteous and were no longer light to a dark society nor salt to withstand spiritual and moral corruption.
I see that in Genesis 6:2-3. As a result, apostasy set in and the world became violent and immoral- and God destroyed the world. We do not want to make the same mistakes they did. Let us live holy and righteous lives for our Lord who loves us and who died for us.

So, what is holiness? What is sanctification? "And He (Jesus) said to them all: "If any one wants to be My follower, let him deny himself, and take up his cross (of self denial) daily, and follow Me"
(Luke 9:23). Let us take a brief look at it.

Sanctification is just a big fancy religious word for Christian holiness. Holiness and sanctification are words that can be used interchangeably. In this Bible study I teach you the need for holiness, some of what God through the Bible teaches about holiness, some of the different views of theologians and churches regarding holiness, and some of the do's and don't's of a Christian's walk with the Lord. I try to present to you a balanced perspective on personal holiness- what it is and how it is to be applied to one's life and how it is to be lived.

I was saved when I was 21 years old. I came from a pagan family so I knew little if nothing about God, Christ, the church, or the Bible- much less personal holiness. There were about 8 sailors or so saved in my division aboard the aircraft carrier in 1967 (please read my testimony if you so desire). Nearly all of us came out of pagan backgrounds and needed to be discipled. One of the most wasteful of all activities is to hold an evangelistic meeting where many folks come to Christ for salvation but then there is no follow up for the new converts and they flounder around in the world like fish out of water. Fortunately, this didn't happen to me.

After my conversion to Christ, Navy Chief Petty Officer, J.W. Richards, kept inviting me to attend his church but I was a little reluctant because I knew the Chief would expect me to attend with him on a regular basis thereafter and I did not want to feel obligated to go to the church in case I did not like it. But I was really curious to see what his church was like and then the perfect opportunity presented itself for me to do so.

The Chief and his family went on a vacation to Tennessee from Virginia. When Sunday morning came I took a bus to Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in Norfolk, Virginia. Rev. David A. Berquist pastored this church and he preached the Word of God emphatically in the power of the Holy Spirit. He had a booming voice and his face got red when he got excited about what he was preaching. He waived his arms and stomped his feet from time to time during the sermon as the anointing of God came upon him. This is the first time I had ever been to one of these kinds of church services. For some reason I loved it. But I felt a little out of place.

When the Chief returned from vacation I told him that I would be attending church services at his church. He was delighted. He introduced the other sailors and me from the Bible study group to Cleo, his wife, and his three children. During the next six months after my conversion to Christ, when we were not at sea, we were invited nearly every weekend to their home for fellowship, food, and discipleship training. We would attend church services also. This family had a lot of love and practiced Christian hospitality. I was very grateful to this precious family for times like that that gave me a chance to learn how to be a Christian, and to get away from the war ship.

Activities with the Richard's Family in 1967 included badminton games, skateboarding on the sidewalks, eating watermelon, visiting local historical sites, and one time we picked strawberries on a local "U-pick" farm. These visits also proved to be times of practical learning. Cleo counseled us on the ABC's of practical Christian living. Because Christians were different from the world we were expected to act differently than the world. (The world refers to the evil world system). She taught us the proper modes of Christian conduct, explained Christian convictions, and taught by example Christian hospitality. Church attendance was highly stressed as was being a good Christian witness, not only by living for the Lord but also by working for the Lord.

So my point here is that it is very important that new Christians be taught sanctification or personal holiness so each one can get started off on the right foot in his journey in this life for the Lord. Making an investment in the lives of new converts is God's wish and will. I cannot emphasize or stress this enough...