Do not conform. 9-9-16

Who needs holiness?

JC Ryle asks “How does the account stand between our souls and God? In this hurrying, bustling world, let us stand for a few minutes and consider the matter of holiness.” 

It is a very important matter for the follower of Jesus as the Word of God says:

Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Don’t miss that...without holiness no one will see the Lord!

Over the next several devotions we will explore what holiness is and how to live a holy life but for today to define it is to say to live a pure life before God. Maybe even to say to live a life by having the same values and characteristics of God. To follow every Word of God. Now we will never be God, but He does tell us “to be HOLY for He is HOLY.”

So who needs holiness? Every follower of Jesus needs holiness!

Tom

2 gifts from Christ. 9-7-16

Being Holy means showing grace and mercy.

Now I will be honest, today’s lesson in growing in sanctification (becoming more holy) is extremely hard! When we are Holy as God has called us to be we show grace and mercy....all the time. Here is the scripture example:

1 Peter 2:21-23 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

Wow. I told it was hard. Here is the short of it...Jesus is our example. He suffered for us and never sinned! He never lied! When He was insulted, He did not insult back. When He was abused, He did not abuse back. He gave it all to God who will take care of it as He sees fit!

So how ya doing in this being holy business? When we can do today’s lesson on a consistent basis we are growing in holiness!

Tom

Salvation for all is available! 9-6-16

Being Holy means loving others.

As we are being sanctified(growing in holiness) one sure sign is the ability to love others. Not just those who are loving to us but to all. Wow is that ever hard to do, huh? We can not do it on our own, only through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Luke 6:32-36 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Wow that pretty well sums it up! 

Of course if w are grow to be holy we must be in Christ, look what Jesus says here:

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

How and who we love may just tell us where we are in Christ....or not!

Tom

Remember your purpose.

Isaiah 43:7 Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

This is really simple...God made us all, and the purpose for making us? For HIS glory. 

Here is the problem, because God loves us He gave us free choice. So we can choose if we want to follow Him and if we want to give Him glory.

I choose to follow Him and give Him my life, what about you? 

Thank you Lord Jesus for my salvation and the mercy and grace you show me even hour of every day. I am so unworthy but You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. May all bow before you willingly for One day they will no matter the choice they make!

Tom