RESOLUTION OF HOLINESS
Kimberly Lawrence
Today’s Scripture: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:14-16, ESV
Theme: Our main “resolution” for this year should be obedience and holiness, because they are of primary importance to God.
NOW YOU KNOW…
When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, eternal life changes for you. Your destiny beyond this world is solidified and will never be taken away. Your salvation is not earned and requires nothing you can offer beyond your own surrender. Christ paid a debt you could never “work” off and You become holy. Sometimes I have a hard time thinking of myself as “holy”. After all, there is nobody who knows my shortcomings, backslidings, recurring mistakes, and faults better than I do. But, being holy doesn’t mean “perfect”. It means to be dedicated to God…consecrated, set apart…and that, despite my faults, I am.
As Christ followers, we now “know better” and God calls us to a more discerning life that is not of this world. He cares about our obedience, not to earn the eternal life Christ already provided, but for our own good…and to be blessed. James 1:23-25 says “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do” (NIV).
A “YES” MAN
Middle school is a tough age for kids and, possibly, even tougher for their parents. This phase is often a tug-o-war where they are trying to build independence, but are still very much children. I recall having many meltdowns when my son would “yes” me to death. I would ask him to clean his room, take a shower, finish his homework or any other fill-in-the-blank activity that he didn’t want to do. He would agree, “yes” me, and get back to playing video games or watching You Tube. He had no intention of doing the unpleasant things I asked, but wanted to get me off his back and just told me what I wanted to hear. Sometimes we do the same to God. We know what is asked of us and what a Christian lifestyle looks like, but we turn right back around to some of the same unproductive activities we were doing before we knew Him.
Make It Personal: Now that you know better, what areas of your life do you need to clean up in obedience to Christ? Live a lifestyle that is becoming of your Lord and Savior, not one that is reflective of your old life or this temporary world. My mother used to tell me, “If you have to ask whether something is appropriate or not, you probably already know the answer.” Is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about something in your life that needs to change? Don’t put your fingers in your ears! Ask God for the discipline, self-control and energy to change it.
Pray: God, show me the areas of my life that are displeasing to you and give me the will to change them. I want to live for and be obedient only to You. Help me overcome the temptations of this world so I may be closer to You. Forgive me where I’ve resisted Your counsel and gone my own way. I love You and want my life to reflect my faith in You. Amen.
Read: Romans 12:2; John 14:15-19, 23-27; Isaiah 1:18-20
Weekly Memory Verse: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10, ESV