Persuing Holiness

This one hit me this morning...(Verses at the end of the devotion)

Pursuing Holiness
1 Peter 1:15-21

God's children are called to live holy lives that are marked by a deep reverence for Him. One strong motivation for righteous living is the cross and what it represents.

First, the cross is a reminder of our original position as outsiders, separated from God because of sin. Second, it points to our need for a Savior. Divine justice decrees that the penalty for sin is death (Rom. 6:23); however, the only acceptable payment is the shedding of innocent blood (Deut. 17:1). Since we are all guilty, we cannot pay for our own sins. Third, it was on the cross that Jesus took our place and endured God's wrath so we could be forgiven. Fourth, the crucifixion marks the time when God's justice was satisfied and His mercy was demonstrated. Finally, it points out the way to be reconciled to the Lord and adopted into His family. Only through faith in Jesus Christ can we be saved (John 14:6).

Sadly, many have forgotten about God's requirement of holiness (v. 15). Instead of holding fast to His standards of attitude and behavior, we embrace some worldly values that seem more comfortable or self-satisfying. We pursue secular ideals such as pleasure and material wealth instead of godly ones like servanthood and obedience. These goals are encouraged by our culture, which has little fear of the Lord and regularly ignores His warnings and commandments.

To counteract the culture's influence, keep the meaning of the cross before you. Then you'll be motivated to pursue holiness in honor of the One who gave His life to save you.

1Pe 1:15-21
(15) but according to the Holy One who has called you, you also become holy in all conduct,
(16) because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
(17) And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to the work of each one, pass the time of your earthly residence in fear,
(18) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers,
(19) but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot;
(20) indeed having been foreknown before the foundation of the world, but revealed in the last times for you,
(21) those believing in God through Him, He who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.

Being Reworked from the Inside Out

This one hit home this morning...

November 7, 2008
Brokenness: The Process

Romans 8:29-31
8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
8:30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

How tempting it is to think we need very little improvement. Ask around, and you'll hear many people concede they could probably use a bit of "maintenance" on one or two problem areas (preferably without being caused any discomfort). Yet most will add, "But I'm a good person." Don't be fooled--the Father refuses to settle for humanity's meager vision of "good enough."

God sees each believer as the person he or she will be when fully yielded to Jesus Christ. He then sets about achieving that complete renovation by transforming the individual's present self into the image of His Son. We could say that God is our "interior designer."

An essential step in remodeling involves removing whatever is unnecessary, damaged, or outmoded. In our case, what must go are the areas of self-will. I can tell you from experience that being a man under construction is uncomfortable! God targets habits, attitudes, and even relationships wherein we act independently of His purposes. Then He applies pressure to direct our attention there as well. The Lord takes hold of interests that are dear to our hearts in order to coax from us the rather humbling question, "What more would You have me submit to You?"

Conforming our will to God's changes who we are. In the midst of our transformation, pain from His tools may temporarily obscure the beauty of His design. But nothing is more splendid to God than a committed, obey-at-all-costs follower. Submit to Him so that He might remake you into the servant He desires.

Today's Devotional

Every Morning, I receive in my inbox several devotionals. I plan on putting the one that hits me the most on here. Here is the one for today.

God's "protective shade"

The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
Psalm 121:5 NLT

Secure with the keeper

"It was dark and cold that November morning when the Livingstone family woke up to say farewell to their son David. He was leaving Scotland for the heart of Africa. Mrs. Livingstone made coffee; Mr. Livingstone dressed warmly to walk his son to Glasgow. David got the family Bible and read the comforting words of Psalm 121 with the family.

A dozen years later, Dr. Livingstone was contemplating a trip deeper into the unexplored interior of Africa along with his wife and children. Just before he left, he received a letter from his mother-in-law, Mary Moffat, who was also a missionary. "My dear Livingstone," she began. "Hitherto I have kept up my spirits and have been enabled to believe that our Great Master may yet bring you out in safety." She said that she was clinging to the promises of Psalm 121 and Psalm 91. "Unceasing prayer is made for you." Then she added, "Every petition, however fervent, must be with submission to his will."

Protected? Yes. Submissive to his will? That, too.

Jesus guaranteed us that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33). But no matter what happens, we can never be separated from God's love or God's purposes. He promises to preserve us from evil but not to pave over every pothole in life's road.