13 Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” 17And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth; 18knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
The Lockman Foundation (2009-03-19). Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible (NASB 1977 edition) (Kindle Locations 41216-41224). The Lockman Foundation. Kindle Edition.
God has called each one of us to be holy. Holiness can be defined as being separated from the world, and devoted to the service of God. This act of dedication to God involves a deliberate choice to forsake all for His sake. It is a very serious and solemn choice. We are to be holy as God is holy. God is light, there is no darkness found in Him. If we say we know God, but walk in darkness, we lie (1John 1:6). Our text tells us that we are to be holy in all our behavior, everything that we do. It is not an option where we can pick and choose how we will live, we are to live separated from the ways of the world. We are to live as children of God, imitating our heavenly father (Eph 5:1,2), with a holy fear, knowing that God is impartial, and will judge us according to our deeds. This is a sobering thought. We have been often taught that all God sees, when He looks at us is Christ. We have been taught that the question asked at the gates of heaven will be "What have you done with My Son?". This text and in many other places in the Bible, affirm that we will be judged according to our deeds.
It is true that when we place our trust in Christ, we find grace and forgiveness. Without that none of us would be saved. However it is just as true that the grace of God will change us from the inside out. A salvation that does not deliver from the power and practice of sin, is a deficient savation. It is another gospel! A salvation that does not change how we live, leaves us dead in our sin. The thought of what Christ went through for each one of us, should move us to diligently live for Him. He shed His precious blood for us. How can we carelessly trample it under foot, by living loose and careless lives, thinking that His grace will cover it?
The grace of God has given us all we need. We have Christ's sacrifice on our behalf. We have Him now interceding for us. We have His living word, with all it's promises, to guide us. We have the presence of the Holy Spirit. The God who says "Be holy, as I am Holy", does not call us to make bricks without straw. If He commands us to do, or be something, He will also enable us.
The design of salvation is to bring us back into fellowship with the Holy God. We must be Holy, as He is Holy. We cannot walk together unless we are in agreement. There can be no fellowship of light with darkness.
May each one of us be diligent to walk in holiness before God, trusting Him every step of the way.
No comments:
Post a Comment