by Bill Harper.
The Holiness preacher, a Godly man,
was seen riding his circuit with Bible in hand.
He rode in sunshine and he rode in rain,
he rode when he felt good, and he rode in pain...
Often he fasted, God’s will to achieve,
striving for perfection, lest the Spirit he’d grieve.
Often his congregation numbered just a few.
He preached without compromise and he helped them pray through...
He preached against demon rum and the dance.
He spoke against painted up women and games of chance.
The Holiness preacher, a Godly man,
kept up with the times, God’s kingdom to expand...
Few people attended in fancy clothes.
They didn’t come to look at others, down their nose.
As he entered into this modern age
he preached against radio as though in a rage.
Avoid the theater also he’d say.
Avoid worldliness, walk the strait narrow way.
When moving pictures made their debut
he preached against this devil’s invention so new.
Movies corrupted our morals said he,
the things they portrayed weren’t fit for Christians to see.
During the depression he bought a tent,
in which to hold meetings, telling men to repent...
ANDREW AGAIN: The poem about “The Holiness Preacher” above
is certainly well-done. But can I just say this, my friends-
The old-time “Holiness” movement that concerned itself with
“dancing” and “bobbed hair” and ‘no makeup for women’, etc, is
NOT where I am coming from with this TV thing.
A lot of those concerns were about “outward” things – and easily
descended into legalism. I truly believe that TV is gaining access
to the “heart” of man – and that is my main concern. It slowly and
gradually fills people’s minds and lives with complete junk.
To be frank with you, I don’t care about “bobbed hair” and I have
been known to dance enthusiastically with my wife at weddings,
etc. - and also to take her out to the Cinema on occasion. Does
that make me “unholy”? Is that what we think "holiness" is about?
Is it all about these 'outward' things?
I have to confess to you - when I first read the poem about the
"Holiness preacher" the only thing that sprang to my mind was
that it was not real Holiness - but rather "Legalism" that this man
represented. And yes - this became a huge problem in the old
Holiness circles. You had to have your hair the "right" way and
your dress the "right" way and never attend movies or dances
and on and on.
The only real Holiness I am interested in preaching is Holiness of
the HEART. If our focus is on mere "outward" things then all we
will get from our preaching is a bunch of 'Legalists' who do and say
all the "right" things - but their hearts are proud and self-righteous.
I greatly fear that many "holiness" circles today have the same
legalistic tendencies. It is all about the "right" music styles and
head coverings and long dresses - and the 'Heart' is forgotten in
the rush to get all these "outward" things right. This is no Holiness
at all. God is after a pure heart. He wants the INSIDE of the cup
to be cleaned - rather than all this focus on the 'outside'.
We need to apply this Scripture - "To the pure all things are pure."
This is a place of tremendous freedom - but only if we truly have
a pure heart.
Can we please learn the difference between Holiness and Legalism,
my friends, so this generation does not repeat many of the same
errors as our 'Holiness' forefathers?
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