4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4–5 (ESV)
“The Bible never sugarcoats the painful realities of living in a fallen world. Sin is portrayed in all of its dark hues, and the best of men are acknowledged to be at best, mere men. Similarly, the church is portrayed as in a constant state of conflict until the Lord Jesus returns. The church in the world is the church militant—always engaged in warfare, under attack and advancing doggedly onward through enemy territory. As is true with any army, the church is not immune to the loss of some of her members. In fact, the skill and tenacity of our enemies are intent on destroying as many as they can.” – Dr. R. C. Sproul
The Apostle Paul set forth a significant biblical truth in I Timothy 4:4. It is a major doctrine or teaching from Scripture. The truth is God created everything good. Therefore, nothing He created is to be rejected. This applies to the relational or physiological areas of life and living. All God created the believer in Christ should receive with thanksgiving and praise as long as what He created the believer in Christ uses for the Lord’s honor and glory.
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36 (ESV)
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10–11 (ESV)
When believers in Christ use for His glory the physical and relational gifts God created for His glory, then these items are consequently set apart. In other words, they become holy.
To be made holy (ἁγιάζεται; hagiazetai) is a present, passive verb. To be made holy means to become dedicated, consecrated, and sanctified. An object is no longer common but becomes uncommon. It is no longer secular or earthly but becomes spiritual. It is no longer profane and blasphemous but becomes holy and sacred. This applies to marriage as it also does to food. It also applies to the believer.
This consecration of godly, created relationships and foods is not left up for believers to figure out by their own ideas and instincts. Consecrated marriages and physical appetites come from a knowledge of God’s Word on these matters and the resulting prayers to be obedient and to use all God created for His glory.
One author writes, “Weeks after my conversion to Christ, many of my friends had questions for me, particularly related to what this meant for my nightlife moving forward: Would I still be going out? Was I “allowed” to drink? One question that stood out in those early days came from my friend’s father. He approached me and asked, “What is it like knowing that for the rest of your life, everyone will be out having fun and enjoying life while you are stuck going to church?” Looking back now, I chuckle at such a question, but at that moment it made me quietly ask: Was I ready (and able) to give up my “party” life? Was I ready to spend Sunday at church? Was I, paraphrasing the Apostle Paul, willing to forget what lay behind and strain forward to what lay ahead? (Phil. 3:13).”
“When we truly encounter God’s holiness, we are changed. Consider Isaiah 6. Isaiah is overwhelmed by the display of God’s holiness. He is completely undone, crying, “Woe is me!” (Isa. 6:5). Encountering God’s holiness humbles us, exposes our sinfulness, and reshapes our minds and hearts, compelling us to align our desires and will with His desires and will. And God’s desire and will for us is to be holy because He is holy: “Be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44; 1 Peter 1:16). Recognizing our need for Him, we are set apart for His purposes and transformed into His likeness”
“A growing knowledge of our holy God in and through Christ derails that drift, puts us on the path to holiness, and promises us a life of lasting pleasure and delight. So, the next time someone asks you, “What is it like knowing that for the rest of your life, everyone will be out having fun and enjoying life while you are stuck going to church?” smile and say: “If you only knew my holy God, if you only knew Jesus, you wouldn’t ask that. Going to church to worship Him is my delight, for He alone can fill my heart with gladness and an overabundance of joy!” (Ps. 16:11; Isa. 35:10; John 16:24
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 