BE HOLY
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “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 1:15-16, ESV
Theme: We should strive to partner with the Spirit to live holy lives. When we fail, we trust the saving blood of Jesus.
SINFUL WOMAN
“The woman at the well.” We think we know her: sinful, alienated, living a life that didn’t please God or the people around her. But then she met Jesus at the well and He turned her life around. We don’t see her praying the “sinner’s prayer.” Yet when the disciples returned and found Jesus talking to her, she quietly slipped away. She went into the town and said, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” (John 4:29, ESV). We find in verse 39 that many people believed in Jesus “because of the woman’s testimony.”
So, I think we have it wrong. It’s not just the perfect believer who pleases God. It’s not only the saintly people who are used in the kingdom. I sometimes think we spend all our lives trying to act holy rather than be holy. If we were actually in sync with Jesus, we would say, as He did: “I have food to eat that you do not know about.... My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” (John 4:32b, 34b, ESV). We would pour ourselves out (our time, resources, energy) to reach the lost and further the Gospel. It would not be about whether we dress or talk appropriately. It would be about what we are doing with and for Christ.
NO MISTAKE
Don’t misunderstand me: we are to strive for holiness. We are to be an example of a changed life. We are to be salt and light to an evil world, and our good works are to be the light that draws people to seek and glorify God. Evil actions do just the opposite: they repulse people. Often, this also turns them away from our God. If my words and testimony do not match my transformed life, I bring shame and derision upon the Name of Jesus.
WE WOBBLE
Still, trying as hard as we may, walking and empowered by the Spirit, we fail. But we don’t stay down. We are no longer trapped and enslaved to sin. We get back up and start following yet again. We know that nothing can separate us from the love and salvation of God. Not even ourselves.
Make It Personal: Where are you complacent with something that is not consistent with God’s call on your life? Where is your testimony tarnished by ongoing sin? Ask God to reveal this to you. Specifically repent. Then pray for revival in your own heart and in our church. Pray that it would spread through this community, nation, and to the world.
Pray: Lord, I want to be right before You. I want to live a life that brings glory to Your Name. Give me a passion for sharing You, not waiting until I am “perfect” but starting right now, where I am. Help me grow in purity and holiness. And I thank You so much that when I fail, you see the holiness of Jesus covering me. In His Name I pray. Amen.
Read: John 4:1-42; Matthew 5:13-16
Weekly Memory Verse: “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” Matthew 27:50-51a, ESV