STRIVING FOR HOLINESS
By Carolyn Dale Newell
As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written,
“Be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:14-16 (NKJV)
As God’s children, we are commanded to be holy. We can never reach perfection in this life, but if we strive for holiness, we will bring glory to God. Failure to live an obedient life will tarnish God’s name, and it is a horrible testimony to the unsaved. You will also forfeit many blessings from God.
Christians are like athletes. Have you ever heard an athlete describe the strenuous hours that they spend training? God’s children have their own training field. It is called the Bible. We need to spend time in prayer and Bible study. That is when God will convict us about things that should not be in our lives.
Athletes never reach perfection either, but they constantly aim for it. “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is sett before us,” (Heb. 12:1b NKJV). You do not see runners wearing blue jeans, jackets, and boots. No, all that weight would slow him down. The same is true for Christians. Sin weighs us down.
We love God, and we want to please Him, and we do not want to bring shame to His name. Do you remember when you were a child, and you did things to please your parents? It is the same with God’s children. We want to live holy lives. We want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21 NKJV). We should also have a healthy fear about the consequences of sin.
When we do fail, and we will, remember that God is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9 NKJV). Now, as obedient children, let’s go run this race and glorify our Father whom we love!
Dear Father,
I love You. I want to please You. Please reveal all my sin to me. Forgive me and help me to turn away from sin. I want to live a life pleasing to You, but apart from Your power, I cannot do it on my own. Please help me to live an obedient life. Thank You for what You have done and what You will do in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Rom. 6:19, Rom. 6:22, 2 Cor. 7:1, Eph. 4:24, and Heb. 12:14.
HIKING THE TRAIL
What things weigh you down, preventing you from running your best race for God? What can you do about that this week?
Copyright 2014 Carolyn Dale Newell.
A Mountain of Faith 