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A Voice From the Past - E. L. Holley

The following is an article over 26 years ago from an old elder that I thought I would post on her for discussion/comments/interest. Enjoy...

Holiness-Minded People

(E.L. Holley)

Without becoming proud and haughty, we must set our minds on things pure and holy! We are in the world, but we are not of it! Furthermore, we must get a firmer grip on the principles of holiness and its standards of life. Regardless of the cadence called out by those who advocate worldly steps, we must march to the beat of another Drummer – a high and holy One!

Several areas are under attack, and each of them a vital link in the chain of holiness. The premise behind it all is that holiness of life is not an outer display of standardized rules. To this, we all agree. But, that doesn’t alter the fact that true inner holiness will express itself in outer behavior, manner, dress, etc.

We hold some things to be self-evident. Among these is the proposition that the Holy Ghost baptized believer will abandon the mode of dress which accents sexuality. Clothing which immodestly exposes the body, either through the absence of material or the tightness of fit, has no place in the Christian wardrobe. Nor does artificial hair coloring or cosmetics. Of what purpose does such garb and make-up play in the role of a disciple of Jesus Christ? Are we not to project an image of our Maker? Why mar it by suggestive garments or stains, dyes, and paints?

Another area which can never be abandoned by holiness-minded people is our abstention from worldly sports. If we loosen our grip on the determination to refrain from participation in this whirlpool, we will drown in an ever-widening, ever-increasing vacuum of carnal involvement. One wave of involvement will be followed by another in the circle of justification, and the end result is not difficult to envision. We would become adherents to one of America’s most fanatical cults – the religion of sports.

Gambling has never been acceptable to holiness people. And gambling rarely begins with a trip to Las Vegas for the purpose of beating the games! Usually, it starts in a rather “harmless” way. Then it grows by leaps and bounds! Electronic devices, marble machines, cards, dice, the lottery – all have their lures for individuals. Where does putting a quarter in a “game of skill” end, and putting a quarter in a “game of chance” begin? How can we say “Blackjack” or “Poker” is a vice, but “Gin Rummy” isn’t? One thing is certain, we can never say it is all acceptable!

When we consider the end result of any activity, we must keep in memory that God saved us from a world gone astray. Our peace of mind, our very souls’ salvation is at stake. Should we ever re-activate in our lives those patterns of behavior and expression from which we were saved, we’ll find ourselves astray again.

Therefore, let’s re-affirm our conviction. We will never, never, never surrender our positions! We realize these points are not acceptable to the unregenerate world about us, but for those of us who were brought out of darkness into this marvelous light, these are the sincere expressions of an inner Spirit – One who says, “Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate....”

When unthinking people wade off into the depths of such activities or behavior, they are prone to feel “persecuted” by those who call them back to the shores of truth. God has ordained that we be reminded of eternal values as opposed to temporal pleasures (I Timothy 2:14; II Peter 1:12). Truth-loving people are always thankful for a clear note!

Without becoming proud or haughty, we must set our minds on things pure and holy. Let there be no compromise! [March 1982]

Compiled by, J.R. Ensey. The Best of E.L. Holley, Musings of a man of God, shared through the pages of the Apostolic Sentinel. Advance Ministries, 12391 Lyra Drive, Willis, TX 77378, (409) 856-3419.