Daily Times Kerrville

10/13/2025

William F. Holland Jr.

Living on Purpose

.Humans do not enjoy being told that God will judge every person, and one day we will meet him face to face and give an account of our lives. This is not an idea created by Bible teachers to scare people; it’s a truth relayed from what God has promised in his word.

There are many strange opinions about who God is, what he wants and our responsibilities as his followers, but the bottom line to lenient interpretations can be explained. Humans are crafty creatures who are always looking to receive something for nothing. Our ability and desire to live in denial intentionally prevent us from listening and obeying God’s will. 

It’s difficult enough to live in this world without being deceived, but what about when we adopt deception as an excuse to avoid conviction? Changing and transforming are not exciting words to our flesh.

The Bible describes two roads to eternity — one is massive and is the way of disobedience, sin and destruction, while the other is extremely narrow and associated with sacrifice, holiness and a relationship with God. 

It’s true the Lord is compassionate, but he also knows the minds and hearts of every person. He cannot and will not compromise, make special deals or concessions. He is merciful, but he is also the only perfect, righteous judge who will always stay true to his word. 

Deuteronomy 10:17 states, “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.”

It’s not a secret that it’s easier to teach what is comfortable than to talk about secret sin. Christians will clap and shout when someone is talking about blessings and heaven, but will become fidgety when the subject turns to the dangers of willful sin. 

I’m sure that many of you are sensing the end is near, and there are things that we need to do before Jesus returns or we pass away. Instead of wondering about signs and prophecies that must be fulfilled, what about focusing on what we need to do within our minds and conscience? This is the hour to look in the mirror and examine the deepest part of our being.

We can no longer just brush our dirt under the carpet and expect to get away with hidden rotten attitudes such as unforgiveness, prejudice, perversion, resentment, carnal character traits, a lack of interest in prayer, Bible study and worship, along with the absence of love and concern for the lost. The bride of Christ will “not” have these stains on their wedding gowns. Read Ephesians 5:27.

A while back, I had an interesting conversation with an older gentleman who had attended church since he was a child. He explained that his parents were cold, self-centered and uncaring, and this had made him bitter and self-centered. He boldly declared he was what he was, and no one could change him. 

The conversation was somewhat pleasant as long as I kept feeling sorry for him, as he kept repeating that if anyone did not like it, he did not care. I asked if this also included God, because he is listening. He responded that God understands. I came back with yes, I’m afraid he does. 

His life had been filled with a quiet rebellion and resentment, carefully disguised as someone trapped in a generational curse. I knew that mindlessly agreeing with him would encourage him to justify his deception, so I prayed and shared God’s truth about how being born again transforms us into a new creation so that we can break free from sin’s bondage. We choose how much of God we want and how much we desire to be like him. Of course, this made him upset and angry. 

When God confronts us, are we defensive like this?

To change is very hard, but it’s my hope and prayer that all of us, including myself, would not reject sanctification, but would receive God’s gracious conviction and make sure our hearts are pure. It’s with humility and reverential fear that I write these words. 

God is saying to repent of all hidden wickedness, carnality, dark attitudes and rebellion, as denial is intentional disobedience. 

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a person sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to God’s Spirit shall of his Spirit reap life everlasting,” Galatians 6:7-8.

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