Saturday, October 23, 2010

Holy vs. Unholy

In The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer states, "We have learned to live with unholiness and have come to look upon it as the natural and expected thing."

This a truth that was real in Tozer's day and continues to be true today. We can see it when we turn on the television, listen to the radio and watch the national political landscape. Unholiness is acceptable and we accept it every single day.

What does our Lord think of this acceptance of unholiness? 1 Peter states, "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" (v. 15-16). God desires for us to chase after Him and be holy.

For those who follow Christ, Romans 6:3-4 asks, "...don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

We are called to live a new life. We are no longer alive for our earthly reasons (ie. money, fame, etc.), but Christ alive in us, to Him all the glory.  Colossians 3 present some guidelines for holy living:
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things," "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry," and "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful" (1-17).
With Christ in our lives we can be holy. Who's in control today; you or Christ?  My prayer is that you and I strive to be holy today and tomorrow and no longer live for ourselves, but Christ.

God Bless.

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