Tuesday, August 30, 2005

The one with being on the highway to holiness

1 Peter 1:13-16 (and 2:1-3, subsequently) reminds us of the highway to holiness.

13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

For me, this passage reveals two things about God's nature: 1) His desire for us to be used by Him for His purposes, and 2) His desire to bless us as we grow in Him. Fact is, we can never rid ourselves of our former selves, by ourselves. Everyday, I struggle with bad language, lustful thoughts, and indolence that'd make Old Man Winkle blush. But God's grace is sufficient for me to eventually overcome these, I know, and His forgiving heart will accept my honest repentance.

The commentary goes on to say something quite striking: "All our prayers and pleadings with God will not bring revival until we take seriously our call to holiness. If we choose to fill our minds with pornography, violence, immorality, hatred, and self-centeredness - and call it entertainment - God will not hear our prayers."

It's like the text was written for me! If you feel the same, then why not join me in a simple prayer, and let's do something about it, hm? Say a quick prayer for forgiveness, trust that He will forgive you, then move on the highway to holiness.

Thanks to Henry and Peter Blackaby. Their The Man God Uses is a powerful devotional tool.

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