Hunting season all year around

NORSK
We have an old house in rural Drangedal in Norway. There is a lot wild life in the big forests and fish in the lakes. It is impossible not to be affected by the huge hunting interest in the municipality. I am not interested in the hunting itself, but the people’s excitement for the pursuit fascinates me. I think that we are all born with kind of hunting instinct.

Paul appeals to this hunting instinct in us in several of his letters, and the letters to Timothy are no exception:

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22

I have touched these qualities worthy of pursuit earlier in the series, but today I will reflect more on the last exhortation: 

“Pursue peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart”

Why does Paul limit the pursuit for peace to those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart?

A few days back I quoted "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone" (1), but I think there is a simple explanation for the exhortation to Timothy to focus on peace with this limited target group. The reason is linked to the theme of the reflection 'Avoid quarrelling about words' which deals with the fact that there may be differences of opinion between two individuals call on the Lord from a pure heart.

The context shows that Paul was of the opinion that there were several who were focused on creating controversy for controversy’s sake, and where the pursuit of the Lord with a pure heart was more or less forgotten.

It is possible that we may still find such people in the church in our time, but I meet very many sincere believers with whom I love to share fellowship. Therefore, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of "interdenominational meeting-series" and joint prayer-weeks for our cities. It gives an important signal to the world that we who believe, stand together and call on the Lord out of a pure heart even though we represent a diversity of views on theological issues of minor importance.

‘Manna’ for today:

Peace with everyone means unity in diversity

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(1) Hebrews 12:14

On the arena of purity

NORSK
Today I am entering the last arena on which I am called to set an example

“…set an example … in purity…”
1 Tim 4:12

If you are a frequent reader and have followed my blog for some time, you may remember that I some months back wrote that holiness is about purity (1).

For William Booth holiness was a synonym for holiness, “A pure heart will ensure a Holy Life!” he stated in the 4th chapter of his book “Purity of heart” (2) – the tittle confirms his focus.

That the arena of purity comes last, confirms to me that there is a thought about a progression in the order Paul presented them. After his conversion, Paul’s life had been a continues race towards the goal of Christ likeness. When he wrote to the Philippians, it is participation in this race he asks his readers to see as an example:

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
Phil 3:17

‘Manna’ for today:

Role models chase for purity

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(1) «It is about purity»
(2) William Booth in “The Founder Speaks again” SP&S 1960 s 20

It is about purification

NORSK
All together, we have soon lived 4,5 years in Moldova. The country is known for its wine, and thus I should certainly have acquired more knowledge about maintenance of the vines, but my knowledge is limited to distance admiration of the beautiful fields of grapes of different species. Earlier in this series, I have mentioned the connection between spirit and wine (1), and between holiness and purification (2) which was the main focus for William Booth’s holiness-teaching (3).

Although I have no insight from the vineyards, I am able to understand what Jesus means when he says that the branches are "pure" when they become part of the stem and root of the vine:

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
John 15:3

In other words, there is nothing wrong with the starting point. The challenge is what kind of influence the branches will be exposed to along the way. It is now that the concept of having "part with him" is important. When I have "part with him", it immediately becomes apparent which characteristics in me that are ‘apart’ from him. Then the only solution is to give the gardener access. 

I have always seen a clear correlation between the story of the ‘vine and the pruning of the fresh branches’ and the ‘foot washing and Jesus discussion with Peter’ (4). I must have "part with Jesus" so that my life will bear more fruit. Although I am physically healthy, I need physical activity to stay healthy. The physical activity is a form of cleansing the body. To stay healthy with Jesus, I need to exercise with him.

Today 'manna':

Holiness is about an ongoing purification-exercise

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(1) See: e.g. Eph 5:18
(2) See: It is about purity
(3) See: William Booth’s book “Purity of heart”
(4) See: John 13:1-15

It is about purity

NORSK
Yesterday I mentioned that the restoration of the image of God was an important focus for Catherine Booth. Both she and her husband always had a strong focus on holiness: 

“Next to the word salvation the word most often on the lips of Salvationists is the word holiness. Even before there was a Salvation Army the two people destined, under God, to be its founders, were concerned with this second word.” (1)
 
For William Booth, holiness is purity. “A pure heart will ensure a Holy Life!” he stated in the 4th chapter of his book “Purity of heart” (2) – the tittle confirms his focus. Purity is ensured through complete deliverance:

“Hunger and thirst after all inward and outward righteousness with God and before Him is natural to the spiritual man. And the possibility of complete deliverance must, whatever be his opinion, interest him and deserve his most careful attention…. It means happiness… Holiness… means usefulness.” (3)

If David did not know the importance of purity of heart before his great fall, he knew it then. He lost both his hapiness and usefulness, and I believe he also knew that he was about to lose the anointing he needed to remain a king if he did not repent. In his psalm of repentance, he prays: 

“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me”
Psalm 51:10

Holiness is the focus of William Booth's best known songs “O, boundless salvation” (4) and “Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame, Send the fire” (5). Booth also wrote the following even before our movement had taken the name 'The Salvation Army':
  
“It (holiness) stands on the forefront of our doctrines. We write it on our banners. It is in no shape or form an open debatable question as to whether God can sanctify wholly, whether Jesus does save his people from their sins...” (6)

'Manna' for today: 

Holiness is about purity of heart

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(1) Frederick Coutts: “The Splendour of Holiness” SP&S 1988 p. 75
(2) William Booth in “The Founder Speaks again” SP&S 1960 p 20
(3) William Booth: “How far can I be saved?” The War Cry, March 13 1880
(4) O boundless salvation - #509 in The Song Book of TSA 2015 - I have written about the theology of the song HERE - unfortunately it is only available in google-translate in English.
(5) Thou Christ of burning... - #326 in The Song Book of TSA 2015 - I have written about the theology of the song HERE - unfortunately it is only available in google-translate in English.
NB See this prayer in verse 2 'To burn up every trace of sin, To bring the light and glory in....send the fire!'
(6) William Booth: “Holiness” The Christian Mission Magazine, August 1877 p 193