Be Holy...

It amazes me sometimes how we as Christians sometimes tend to ignore or avoid certain parts of Scripture, whether unconsciously, or consciously. We focus on the fact that we are saved by grace, or that we have freedom through Christ sacrifice. However, we sometimes skip over the call God has on our lives as Christians. His standards for our lives haven't changed.

Now, I am not trying to downplay the significance of God's grace or Christ's sacrifice. I am merely suggesting that we don't have the whole picture of what is means to be a Christian. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, it says, "But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."(KJV) How many of you are familiar with those verses?

To be holy means to be set apart, without blemish. Romans 12:1 tells us to not "be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world..." (NIV) We are not called to be popular or to fit in, but to be set apart for Christ. Too often we think that we can be a Christian, and still be apart of the world, conveniently forgetting that we are "to be in the world, but not of it".

So what does this look like? What does it mean to be set apart, and a disciple of Christ? In Colossi ans 3:1-2, it says, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth." (KJV) To be holy is a process, not a one time deal. We need to continually be setting ourselves apart, fixing our eyes on Jesus, spending time on things above, not earthly things.

I would venture that one of the first parts of being setting apart is digging into God's Word; using it as your standard for everything you do. I had shared earlier about how we need to take God's Word seriously and literally. But, as James says in Chapter 1, verse 22, "do what God's teaching says; when you only listen and do nothing, you are fooling yourselves." (NCV)

We need more people who are willing to step out and follow Christ, setting themselves apart for Him, being pure and holy for him. This is an important concept that we all need to grasp. Being a warrior means more than just fighting your King's battles; you must be wholly devoted and set apart for Him!


For Christ's Glory!