February 22, 2015 HOLINESS IN THE PRACTICAL
1 Peter 1:15: “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.”
The subject of holiness is not reserved for higher theological discussion but is a relevant, vital reality in daily living for the follower of Christ. Some believe that “holiness” cannot be achieved in this life time but only in heaven will they be holy. However, the scriptures make it clear that holiness is for the here and now – to be expressed in flesh and bones. We cannot be holy by our own will power or by our own strength, but we are holy only by the work of God in Christ Jesus. Because of Jesus death on the cross, we are cleansed from all of our sins and we were accepted by the Father. We have been joined to God and we have been made holy. In John 4:17 we read: “As Jesus Christ is, so are we in this world.” The truth of this verse needs to be imbedded in our spirit and in our thinking as it speaks volumes about how we are to live in this world. It may be a stretch for us, but as the verse plainly states, we are to be like Jesus! According to 1 Peter 1:15; we are to be holy in all of our behavior. It’s not that we have to try to be holy, but rather, our behavior is holy because of who we are. Being holy in conduct and behavior is natural when we are in tune with the Spirit and walking according to His ways. It is freeing to know that we do not have to produce holiness; we just “act naturally” in the Spirit and as a by-product, we are holy in our behavior. We are not called to be holy in thought only, but in all behavior as well. We just have to look at the attributes of God, or just look at the life of Jesus to get a picture of what holiness looks like. For example; because God is love and He demonstrated love; so should we. Because God forgives, so should we. Because He gives, so should we. Because He restores and reconciles, so should we. Because He is kind, we too should be kind. Because He does not become angry with us, neither should we become angry with others. You get the idea. It’s in the nitty-gritty of life, in the trenches, is where our holiness is to be expressed. I know that we are not perfect, and I understand that we are human, etc., but the main track that we are on in life should be that of living holy lives. When we sin, get derailed; we simply confess that to God and get right back into holy living. When we understand the price that God paid in order for us to partake of His holiness, we are humbled by the fact that we, vessels of clay, are called to participate in His holiness. Let us take these scriptures to heart and let us reflect His holiness in all that we do – starting right now!
1 Peter 2:9: “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
Romans 12:1: “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
Ephesians 1:3-4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.”
Blessings,
Buddy
1 Peter 1:15: “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.”
The subject of holiness is not reserved for higher theological discussion but is a relevant, vital reality in daily living for the follower of Christ. Some believe that “holiness” cannot be achieved in this life time but only in heaven will they be holy. However, the scriptures make it clear that holiness is for the here and now – to be expressed in flesh and bones. We cannot be holy by our own will power or by our own strength, but we are holy only by the work of God in Christ Jesus. Because of Jesus death on the cross, we are cleansed from all of our sins and we were accepted by the Father. We have been joined to God and we have been made holy. In John 4:17 we read: “As Jesus Christ is, so are we in this world.” The truth of this verse needs to be imbedded in our spirit and in our thinking as it speaks volumes about how we are to live in this world. It may be a stretch for us, but as the verse plainly states, we are to be like Jesus! According to 1 Peter 1:15; we are to be holy in all of our behavior. It’s not that we have to try to be holy, but rather, our behavior is holy because of who we are. Being holy in conduct and behavior is natural when we are in tune with the Spirit and walking according to His ways. It is freeing to know that we do not have to produce holiness; we just “act naturally” in the Spirit and as a by-product, we are holy in our behavior. We are not called to be holy in thought only, but in all behavior as well. We just have to look at the attributes of God, or just look at the life of Jesus to get a picture of what holiness looks like. For example; because God is love and He demonstrated love; so should we. Because God forgives, so should we. Because He gives, so should we. Because He restores and reconciles, so should we. Because He is kind, we too should be kind. Because He does not become angry with us, neither should we become angry with others. You get the idea. It’s in the nitty-gritty of life, in the trenches, is where our holiness is to be expressed. I know that we are not perfect, and I understand that we are human, etc., but the main track that we are on in life should be that of living holy lives. When we sin, get derailed; we simply confess that to God and get right back into holy living. When we understand the price that God paid in order for us to partake of His holiness, we are humbled by the fact that we, vessels of clay, are called to participate in His holiness. Let us take these scriptures to heart and let us reflect His holiness in all that we do – starting right now!
1 Peter 2:9: “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
Romans 12:1: “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
Ephesians 1:3-4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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