Some of those questions will include cute questions from children, such as ‘What does God look like?’ Others will have a greater connection to the practical side of life, such as how to interpret commands such as the question, ‘What is sanctification?’ But if we stay focused on God’s bigger, eternal picture we will be able to reject sin and stand firm in trials.When one becomes a pastor, the assumption made by many is that the pastor will have all the answers, even to the most difficult questions. Keep an eternal perspective– If we allow the things of this physical world to dominate our thoughts and priorities, the temporal will drive our emotions and responses.Rely on His strength and trust Him with the process. Make the most of trials– God uses persecution and the common trials of this life to refine our faith and shape our character.We may miss out on God’s best plan for us or even put ourselves in danger. Unfortunately, our delayed obedience causes us harm and dishonors God. Sometimes, we even intend to obey – later. If you’re a parent, you understand that “delayed” obedience is simply disobedience. Respond quickly to the Spirit– Have you ever responded to the prompting of the Spirit with “in a minute?” I certainly have.Ask God to also help you recognize areas of weakness in your life so you can guard against potential sin.
To be holy, we must dig it out by the roots and get rid of it.
Practice an awareness of the presence of God– God is always with us.Here are a few practical things we can do to cooperate with His ongoing work: Only the Holy Spirit can spiritually transform us and produce holiness in our lives. Humanly speaking, holiness is an impossible task. Unholy living floods believers’ lives with the natural consequences of sin, including distance and strain in our relationships with God. Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. According to Scripture, there is a direct connection between a holy life and experiencing God’s presence. Perhaps you too long to experience a deep, intimate relationship with God, but often feel disconnected. I especially like the first benefit on that list. A holy life pleases God and produces “fruit” (Ephesians 5:1-17).Holiness builds peace with God (2 Peter 3:10-18).Our holy life causes people around us to glorify God (1 Peter 2:9-12).Holy living makes us useful and effective for God’s purposes (2 Timothy 2:20-26).Holiness fosters intimacy with God and builds spiritual strength and stability (Psalm 15:1-6).Why would we want to live a holy life? The following five benefits are not the only reasons, but they’re ones Scripture mentions repeatedly. Usually what it comes down to is simply our desire. Holiness may seem hard, but the benefits far outweigh anything we might need to “sacrifice.” The gain is far greater than the loss of any worldly activity, behavior, or attitude. Jesus died so we could be holy. (For more on living a life of holiness see my study “Embraced by Holiness.”) 5 Benefits of Holiness But, God doesn’t call us to “pretty good.” His holiness is our standard ( 1 Peter 1:16). Sometimes we compare ourselves to the world or other Christians and think we’re doing pretty good. The apostle Paul described it as “putting off our old self,” which belongs to our life before Jesus, and to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). It is to be separated from sin and, therefore, consecrated to God… To live a holy life, then, is to live a life in conformity to the moral precepts of the Bible and in contrast to the sinful ways of the world.” In his book “ The Pursuit of Holiness,” Jerry Bridges defines holiness like this: When we claim to follow Christ, but don’t look like Him we push people away from the One source of eternal life.
And yet hypocrisy is the number one reason people give for not wanting to have anything to do with Christianity. Does your church talk much about living a holy life? It doesn’t seem to be a very popular topic – even in Christian circles.
0 kommentar(er)
