Be Holy
January 1st, 2008
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.’” – 1 Peter 1:14-16
“For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.” – Leviticus 11:45
As we start the new year we bring with us old habits that we wish we could change, amend, or get rid of all together. Many times that thing that we struggle with and that which causes sin in our lives we wish we could remove from our midst. Maybe it was the use of profanity in our speech (Colossians 3:8), sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18), drinking in an uncontrolled manner (Ephesians 5:18) or any numerous things that we do that we wish we hadn’t (Romans 7:14-25). But the mere fact that we realize our sin, and that it bothers us, is a blessing and proof that God is working in our lives.
The truth of the matter is that before Christ, if we had done those things they would not have bothered us at all. In fact, we would have enjoyed them and had given “hearty approval” to those who did the same (Romans 1:32). So the blessing is the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the chastisement from God:
“And He [the Holy Spirit], when He comes, will convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment;” – John 16:8
“It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” – Hebrews 12:7
So what is the purpose of all the “pain” of suffering when we do wrong? What is God’s purpose for it?
A) to share in His holiness
B) to yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness
“For they [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” – Hebrews 12:10,11
Remember: Be Holy as I am Holy.
If we can wrap our heads around those two points and see their significance then I believe our desire to sin will dramatically decrease. When those two points become your goals in life, then the cravings of the flesh will loose their bite and through the power of the Holy Spirit you will be able to resist the temptation to sin because you desire a greater prize worth striving for: holiness and righteousness.
Reality check: sin will always be at the door knocking to come in. The question becomes, “Will you answer that door?” The first time you do not answer the door it’s really hard. But each time after that it becomes a little easier. It will get to the point where that sin doesn’t overpower you anymore. But you will still have to endure the temptation always, but the strength of that temptation will decrease with time. That is the victory we have in Christ: to endure the temptation and through His power and grace overcome it.
“No temptation has overtaken you but such is as common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
So as we go into 2008 let us go confidently. Desire to live a life that pleases the Lord. Desire to overcome the sin that repeatedly comes at you. Focus on God and desire to share in His holiness and desire the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Peaceful in the sense that you will feel full of joy and love rather than disappointment or sadness. Desire to be a slave to Christ rather than a slave to sin. When you are free in Christ you are indeed free and have the resources of the eternal, omnipotent God at your disposal:
“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.’” – John 8:34-36