But, what about AFTER you recognize your calling?
It is far too easy to just go on about your affairs, happy that Jesus is your Lord, but without understanding the responsibilities that come with being His man or woman.
Let's take a look at one of the things that we are called to do when we are His servant:
"As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
1 Pet. 1:14-16
1 Pet. 1:14-16
We understand from our readings in Romans that before we are called to be one of Jesus' people, we are dead spiritually. This means that our soul will always choose to follow the lusts of the flesh.
However, now that your are reborn in the spirit, you no longer get to claim ignorance of the truth. The Holy Spirit leads a Christian to follow a path that is no longer led by the desire for fulfillment of fleshly lusts. You will be shown that there is a good and proper way to go in life, and there is a bad and disobediant path that you can choose.
As Peter is showing us, we are given a new, high standard to aim for. We, as children in the family of God by adoption, must do our best to model ourselves after our new Father.
Just as in any earthly family there is a drive to copy the actions of the parents, so too is there a desire to conform ourselves to the image of God. And God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are all 100% HOLY.
So, one might ask, what is holy?
To grab a definition from Webster's, to be holy is to be "one perfect in goodness and righteousness." God, in all aspects of the Trinity, is holy. He is perfect in all ways. He is perfectly good. He is perfectly righteous in all ways. Without flaw, without error.
So, how important is it for us to be perfect? Let's see what the Bible says:
However, now that your are reborn in the spirit, you no longer get to claim ignorance of the truth. The Holy Spirit leads a Christian to follow a path that is no longer led by the desire for fulfillment of fleshly lusts. You will be shown that there is a good and proper way to go in life, and there is a bad and disobediant path that you can choose.
As Peter is showing us, we are given a new, high standard to aim for. We, as children in the family of God by adoption, must do our best to model ourselves after our new Father.
Just as in any earthly family there is a drive to copy the actions of the parents, so too is there a desire to conform ourselves to the image of God. And God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are all 100% HOLY.
So, one might ask, what is holy?
To grab a definition from Webster's, to be holy is to be "one perfect in goodness and righteousness." God, in all aspects of the Trinity, is holy. He is perfect in all ways. He is perfectly good. He is perfectly righteous in all ways. Without flaw, without error.
So, how important is it for us to be perfect? Let's see what the Bible says:
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Matt. 5:48
"The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master."
Luk. 6:40
"Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."
Phl. 3:15
"Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:"
Col. 1:28
Matt. 5:48
"The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master."
Luk. 6:40
"Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."
Phl. 3:15
"Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:"
Col. 1:28
And this is just a small portion of the many verses that detail to us that perfection is not just a goal, but an expectation.
But, how on earth could ANY person be perfect, seeing that we are still attached to a sinful, evil flesh?
But, how on earth could ANY person be perfect, seeing that we are still attached to a sinful, evil flesh?
"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."
John 17:23
John 17:23
We can only be perfect by the presense of Jesus in us. But, that doesn't mean we can just sit back and rest happy in the knowledge that Jesus has it covered. Because, even though the work is already done, we are still (while on this earth) taught to be molded into the pattern of Jesus.
Our day-to-day actions should always be a reflection of Jesus in us. Each day, we are to take up our cross and follow Him. Not only does this bring glory and honor to Our Father, but it proves that we have truly been grafted into the Vine that is Jesus.
So, take these words to heart: If you a Christian, it should be your daily, moment-by-moment effort, to live a life that would be pleasing to God Almighty. If you are living a life of a Christian that is defeated by sin, then you are depriving yourself of heavenly treasures, and you are failing to display a useable witness to the world of Jesus in your life.
If this is you, and you are living life at odds with God, then repent now! Turn away from that sinful journey, and ask Jesus to heal the wounds that sin has inflicted upon you. A joyous fellowship will certainly follow.
So, my brothers and sisters...be ye holy!
Grace and Peace....
Our day-to-day actions should always be a reflection of Jesus in us. Each day, we are to take up our cross and follow Him. Not only does this bring glory and honor to Our Father, but it proves that we have truly been grafted into the Vine that is Jesus.
So, take these words to heart: If you a Christian, it should be your daily, moment-by-moment effort, to live a life that would be pleasing to God Almighty. If you are living a life of a Christian that is defeated by sin, then you are depriving yourself of heavenly treasures, and you are failing to display a useable witness to the world of Jesus in your life.
If this is you, and you are living life at odds with God, then repent now! Turn away from that sinful journey, and ask Jesus to heal the wounds that sin has inflicted upon you. A joyous fellowship will certainly follow.
So, my brothers and sisters...be ye holy!
Grace and Peace....
