A Call to Holiness

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about our call to holiness as Christians.

"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)

Let's get one thing straight before I share my thoughts on pursuing holiness...
Jesus alone is holy. And if we are in Christ, we have his holiness before God. Our hope is not in ourselves, but in what Jesus has already done. Period.

However, Scripture makes it very clear that we must strive for holiness during our time here as aliens. Scripture also makes it clear that sanctification is part of the process of being a Christian--being transformed into the likeness of Christ. What does this look like for us? I believe there are two practical things we can do when striving for holiness: 1. Run from sin. 2. Dwell on what is good.

When I say run from sin, I mean to physically pick yourself up and run the opposite direction from temptation. Brothers and sisters, I'm serious. If there is something tempting you, get away from it if possible. If you're tempted sexually, look the other way, turn off the tv, get out of bed, leave the house, call your friend, run. If you're tempted to envy, remove the Facebook app off your phone, stop looking at Instagram, count your blessings, find joy in what you have. We are being fed lies every day and are being tempted from every angle. If we are serious about Jesus and becoming like him, we must run. I'm not saying remove yourself from the world. That would be impossible and unChristlike. But I am saying, if there is something tempting you that you have control over (i.e. Facebook, activities, bad influences, entertainment) remove it from your life for a period of time and see what happens. See how you grow in holiness.

Ephesians 5 has been speaking to me lately. This idea of light and darkness is such a great display of how to live our lives in pursuit of holiness. "...for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."

It says that at one time we were darkness--not that we were in darkness or that darkness was around us, but that we were darkness. Just take a moment to remember how dark you were before you met Christ. But now, we are light. Darkness and light have no fellowship together. Imagine a dark, cold room with no windows, no cracks, no light. Then suddenly a door is opened just a crack and the light shines in and overcomes the darkness. Even the smallest amount of light exposes everything around you when you're in the dark. It is the same with sin. When we are in the darkness of our sin, we need light to see, which brings me to my second point--dwell on what is good.

The fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true. This verse also reminds me of Philippians 4:8-9, when we are called to think on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy. Instead of feeding your brain with garbage, think on lovely things. Also, if you're struggling with a "grey" area, ask if it is any, or all, of these things. Is this movie pure? Is this relationship honorable and good? Is this (insert specific activity) right and true? If the answer is no, then dwell on something that is.

My desire in this post is to spur you on. I can't help but be reminded that if Christ died for me, the least I can do for him is stop watching a show on Netflix or remove my Facebook app on my phone. He is worthy of these small and big sacrifices. If we are serious about becoming like Him, we must become less like the world. Press on, friends.

*For a great sermon on this (Philippians 4:8-9) listen here.