We are called to a life of:
HOLINESS (1 Peter 1:15-16)
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
* Holiness is nothing less than the conformity of the character of God.
God is constantly calling his people to be like him. We are not naturally holy...we are naturally sinful. He wants me to look like him in everyday life in everything that I do. Holiness is not acting like a perfect person or talking like a preacher. Holiness is carrying ourselves with the behavior and with the mind of Christ.
God did not send his Son to die on the cross just for us to have a free pass to escape hell. God saved us so that we could do something with our lives to bring glory to him and through that life and relationship, we are rewarded with the eternal life in heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
As Christians, we are not characterized as sinners. Yes, we sin and fall to the temptations of the world, but we are characterized as followers and imitators of Christ. The gospel tells us that sin has no power over us as believers, because God is bigger and stronger than sin. Christ's death on the cross gives us power to turn away from sin...
A LIFE LIVED FOR GOD'S GLORY
Life is a gift that has been given to me from God. This life was given to us to use for God's glory...not to be wasted on the things of this world and for selfish desires. EVERYTHING is about God...not about me.
Colossians 1:16
16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things we created by him and for him.
God created me to accurately reflect who Jesus is through my everyday life.
Acts 20:22-24
22 "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
Paul recognized that his life was not his to live. He understood that it's not about him...it's about Jesus. This is a beautiful example of fully committing his life to Christ. Whether murder, imprisonment, beatings, or any other persecution...his life was dedicated to glorifying God.
We should step out of our comfort zones and to glorify God...every little thing in our everyday life should reflect God's glory.
REPENTANCE AND GROWTH
Everyone falls short (Romans 3:23) of God's glory. God has saved us by his grace and he has sustained us by his grace...GOD IS FORGIVING!
God's standard is for us to live a life of holiness...and we will fall short. As Christians, we cannot just take on apathy in our sin, live to a lower standard set by ourselves, hide or pretend that we are doing enough, or not care enough to avoid repentance. Those are sinful responses...
The Lord is patient in our growth. Repentance is changing our mind and heart in accordance to living for God. It's a turn from sin. Confessing our sins is a must every single day. We all fall...every single day. We not only need to confess to God, but we need to confess to other people in our wrongs that we do. This allows for prayer between believers and God to aid in healing and growth.
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