It is about small glimpses

NORSK
When John wrote: “there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (1), I do not think that it was the physical acts of Jesus John was referring to. 

Even if the relatively short life of Jesus was eventful and packed with remarkable stories, I do not think that it was an impossible task to compile it all in a couple of volumes. I think John saw the spiritual mystery, and like Paul (2), he realized that we only see and grasp a glimpse of it. It is comforting that even a glimpse is enough to grasp the core of the mystery. At that moment, I also make the recognition that this is something that exceeds all the books the world can contain.

The same is the true with regard to the mystery of “Holiness”. Over the last couple of days I have written about being loved back to the original image of God, and how beautiful that is. I am also aware that the real image of God, in which we were created, also gives a small glimpse of what holiness is, but I am convinced that it is very important glimpse. Many share this view. Chick Yuill, who himself has written several books on holiness, concludes that essence and goal of Catherine Booth’s holiness-teaching is “the restoration of the image” (3). I agree with Chick's conclusion.

Yesterday I used one of Albert Orsborn’s choruses. I am sure it would be possible to find songs to illustrate most of the aspects of holiness (4), and today I will quote part of a verse by the Norwegian poet and SA-officer H. A. Tandberg. These lines made a strong impression on me as a young Christian – and still do (please excuse my poor translation):

Therefore, God's face I'll be seeking
till I'm transformed by his grace,
and his own image's remaking
deep in my heart can take place. (5)

So, I feel the need to pray like David:

When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You,
“Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
Psalm 27:8

‘Manna’ for today:

Holiness is about constant glimpses of God’s face.

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(1) Joh 21:25
(2) For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 1 Cor 13:12
(3) Chick Yuill in: Clifford Kew ed.: “Catherine Booth – Her Continuing Relevance” IHQ 1990 p 52
(4) ...and I will for a few days more.
(5) The original text in Norwegian is found in: "FAs Sangbok" 2010 - #340

It is about 'my' image

NORSK
I have a “Holistic” view on man. In short, this means that I believe God is interested in all of me. He is not only concerned about the soul, but about our whole being – body, soul and spirit.
It is important to state this when I now go to the individual level, and I start with a simple question: “What is ‘my image’?”

For me, the belief in the fact that man is created in the image of God is extremely important when I want to get deeper into the mystery of holiness. God is holy, and a logic consequence of being made in his image is that I am meant to be holy. God himself confirms this:

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’”
Lev 19:1-2 & 1 Pet 1:16

The “Fall” did something to the divine image in man. We read that Adam 

“…had a son in his own likeness, in his own image” 
Gen 5:3

The descendants of Adam are born in the image of the fallen man. Paul addresses this issue with the relationship between Adam and Christ (the second Adam), and concludes:

Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Rom 5:18-19

What I was originally made to be, is restored in Jesus Christ. There is no other way of holiness – because it is ‘THE’ way of holiness. ‘Manna’ for today:

In Christ man is restored in God’s image

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It is about images

NORSK
Yesterday I wrote that today’s blog would be about ‘breath’, but I postpone it one more day, because I need to say something about images. As a tool to come closer to an understanding of holiness, it can be helpful to look at some of the Biblical images of the Spirit. This will help me to take a step from what sometimes is conceived as abstract to a more concrete insight.

The Hebrew (ruach) and Greek (πνευμα - pneuma) used for the Spirit can also be translated with e.g. breath, wind and air. Even though I cannot “see” breath, wind and air, they are very real and concrete. I cannot live without them, because I need air to breath and the air needs wind to be in movement. Everything that belongs to the Spirit is in a constant movement. So is the life of holiness (1).

The image of a “spirit” can be confusing even for some Christians. For some it is even more difficult if we use the word “ghost”. It is easier to relate to the physical realities. A “ghost” does not have a body – the disciples knew that, and were scared when they saw the resurrected Christ – he responded by referring to his body, asked them to touch it and ate some fish to convince them (2).

I know from experience that it is possible to have a personal relationship with the Spirit of God, but to have such a relationship I must continuously learn more about Him to know Him better. I do that by being together with the Spirit in the way Paul describes:

'In him we live and move and have our being.'
Acts 17:28

The best way to make the Spirit more concrete for people in the world is to live with the Spirit like Jesus lived with him. 

‘Manna’ for today:

The Spirit is just as real as breath, wind and air.

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(1) See: John 3:8
(2) See: Luke 24:36-43