The Forgotten Command

The Forgotten Command: Be Holy is a clarion call for all Christians to follow their Master's command and to Be Holy.  In the world of today, where holiness is set aside and considered to be outdated, the vital truth of holy living by the Christian has never been more relevant. Christlikeness produces Holiness, and William MacDonald stresses its importance as he looks at every aspect of the Christian life. "The moment we are saved, we are given a position of holiness before God. Because we are in Christ, we have a holy standing. Our responsibility is to see that our practice corresponds to our position, our state to our standing. In the area of holiness, there is a mysterious mingling of the divine and the human. God wants all of us to be holy. Only He can make us holy. And He will give us the necessary power. But He will not do it without our participation…It is misleading to tell Christians that holiness is by faith alone. It creates the impression that they can sit back and become Christlike without any exer¬tion on their part. It blithely overlooks the hundreds of exhortations in the New Testament directed to their will and calling for their obedience. Salvation is by faith alone, but holiness is by faith and works." This book makes compelling and searching listening for those who are serious about obeying the Forgotten Command: Be Holy. A word about the author: William MacDonald (1917 – 2007) William (Bill) MacDonald was born in Massachusetts. His parents were from the Isle of Lewis and when he was six years old, his family moved to Stornoway, Scotland, later moving back to Massachusetts. A commended worker for sixty years, a teacher, preacher, mentor, and author of eighty-four books, including the Believer's Bible Commentary, William MacDonald was a man who said and wrote much. Yet, for the those who knew him well, it was his life that left the greatest impression. Speaking of the Lord Jesus, the Bible says, "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (1 John 2:6). Bill wrote in his commentary, "Jesus' life, as set forth in the Gospels, is our pattern and guide. It is not a life which we can live in our own strength or energy, but is only possible in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is to turn our lives over to Him unreservedly, and allow Him to live His life in and through us."