The Sacred Life
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."
—Ephesians 5:1-4
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"
—1 Peter 1:13-16
It is a common theme throughout scripture—God desires that his people be set apart. He instructed the Israelites to marry no one from other cultures or countries. God knew that the blending of families would also blend cultures. At that time Israel was the only monotheistic people; the only culture who worshipped God. In order to preserve this culture of God worshippers, he commanded them to be set apart, a nation unto themselves, to serve as witnesses of God's glory.
Today, we too have been chosen by God and the call to holiness now extends to us. I have known many people who become nervous when the topic of holiness is broached. It is often because they incorrectly link holiness with righteousness.
We find ourselves still struggling for perfection, still striving to attain the spirit-led life of true disciples. We find strain to hear God’s voice or to see God’s direction. We rightly recognize that righteousness is not something we can attain. Thankfully, righteousness is imparted as a gift to us through the work of Christ on the cross. We have been declared righteous by Jesus’ actions!
Holiness, however, is attainable. Holiness is the act of setting ourselves apart for God; of recognizing that we are ambassadors of God's Kingdom, here to represent and reflect God's glory, and His culture. The call to holiness has not changed in all of human history. It is the call to preserve the culture of God worshippers, and not to pervert that culture by blending with or resembling the cultures that surround us. It is not a one time action, but rather something of which we must be continually aware. It may effect our movie choices, or the jokes we tell. It may effect our conversations, or the things we complain about. It may effect our free time and leisure activities, and it certainly may seem disruptive to our lifestyle. But in the end we will find true fulfillment as we set ourselves apart from the surrounding culture for God’s glory.
Homework this week: Simply pray, "God reveal to me the areas of my life that I am not set apart for your Glory. Show me what steps toward holiness you desire for me to take. Give me strength to obey your call to holiness." Listen for God’s response.
—Ephesians 5:1-4
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"
—1 Peter 1:13-16
It is a common theme throughout scripture—God desires that his people be set apart. He instructed the Israelites to marry no one from other cultures or countries. God knew that the blending of families would also blend cultures. At that time Israel was the only monotheistic people; the only culture who worshipped God. In order to preserve this culture of God worshippers, he commanded them to be set apart, a nation unto themselves, to serve as witnesses of God's glory.
Today, we too have been chosen by God and the call to holiness now extends to us. I have known many people who become nervous when the topic of holiness is broached. It is often because they incorrectly link holiness with righteousness.
We find ourselves still struggling for perfection, still striving to attain the spirit-led life of true disciples. We find strain to hear God’s voice or to see God’s direction. We rightly recognize that righteousness is not something we can attain. Thankfully, righteousness is imparted as a gift to us through the work of Christ on the cross. We have been declared righteous by Jesus’ actions!
Holiness, however, is attainable. Holiness is the act of setting ourselves apart for God; of recognizing that we are ambassadors of God's Kingdom, here to represent and reflect God's glory, and His culture. The call to holiness has not changed in all of human history. It is the call to preserve the culture of God worshippers, and not to pervert that culture by blending with or resembling the cultures that surround us. It is not a one time action, but rather something of which we must be continually aware. It may effect our movie choices, or the jokes we tell. It may effect our conversations, or the things we complain about. It may effect our free time and leisure activities, and it certainly may seem disruptive to our lifestyle. But in the end we will find true fulfillment as we set ourselves apart from the surrounding culture for God’s glory.
Homework this week: Simply pray, "God reveal to me the areas of my life that I am not set apart for your Glory. Show me what steps toward holiness you desire for me to take. Give me strength to obey your call to holiness." Listen for God’s response.