The Leopard Cannot Change Its
Spots, Nor Can the Ethiopian Change His Skin. By the same
token, that which is unholy cannot become holy. All men, without exception, are
sinners by nature and by choice, and cannot depart from that which
is theirs by that very nature. It is impossible for that which
is profane to be holy, except it have holiness conferred upon
it by one who has both the power and the purpose to do so. We
usually think of and use the term holy to describe something
or someone who is pure, not having fault or sin of any kind. This
is indeed an accurate description of holiness, but it is not the
entire meaning of the term. The more complete consideration
of how the scripture describes that which is holy is that which
is consecrated or set apart. This is most assuredly true in
the case of the true and living God who dwells in the light to
which no man can approach, having never been seen by men. He is
indeed a holy God. Those who are described as the
saints, the brethren, or the people of God are called holy
brethren. They are not holy because they
have never sinned, but rather they are holy because they have
been set apart from the rank and file of humanity as the elect
of God, the appointed heirs of salvation from before the foundation
of the world. As Peter says, but ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people,
that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called
you out of darkness into his marvelous light. They are also
called holy because Christ has come into the world as their
substitute and has imputed his righteousness to them, even as
he has taken their sin as his own. Thus they are seen in the
eyes of the law and before the tribunal of God as those who
are without sin, even as he is without sin. They are called
holy because He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in them,
working in them both the will and to do of His good pleasure.
Even as Paul confessed, For the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
They are called holy because they have been made partakers
of the heavenly calling. The Lord Jesus Christ knows them
that are His. He calleth His own sheep by name,
and leadeth them out. The true work of God in those
whom He has called is never devoid of the evidence which His Spirit
is pleased to demonstrate in those whom He is pleased to begin
this work. Yet nothing is more common among
the religious folk of the world than claiming to begin to follow
Christ, only to fall away and walk no more with Him when it
becomes inconvenient or out of vogue. The exhortations given
in the scriptures to the sons of God are for the purpose of
reminding them of the basis and power upon which they are made
to stand. That man who is devoid of the
work of the Spirit will not hear or heed these exhortations, and
like a dog will return to his vomit. Yet those who have been
given an ear to hear are kept by the power of God, as they
are caused to heed that to which they are exhorted. Thus the writer
of Hebrews exhorts them to consider the apostle of your profession. This is not some earthly charlatan
who claims that title, but rather that one who is the chief cornerstone. For other foundation can no man
lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. When Peter
saw the glory of the Lord in the company of Moses and Elijah
on the mountain of transfiguration, he wanted to build tabernacles
for all three. Yet the Lord spoke from heaven
and told Peter, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him. There is no other
gospel, nor is there any other basis upon which the faith of
God's called-out sons is to rest than that which is spoken, manifested,
and performed by Jesus Christ alone. He alone is our Apostle. the foundation upon which we
stand. We look for no other and declare
that he has no rival or partners. Christ is all and in all.