PURSUING HOLINESS

PURSUING HOLINESS

READ:

Romans 6:14-23

Pursue peace with all people,

and holiness, without which

no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14

We often see surveys that ask people if they are happy, satisfied with their work, or enjoying life.  But I’ve never seen an opinion poll that asked, “Are you holy?  How would you answer that question?

One Bible dictionary defines holiness as “separation to God and conduct fitting for those separated.”  Author Frederick Buechner said that when writing about a person’s character, “noth ing is harder to make real than holiness.”  He adds that “holiness is not a human quality at all, like virtue.  Holiness is…not something that  people do, but something that God does in them.”

Romans 6 presents the stunning gift that God gives us through faith in Christ:  “We were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walkin newness of life” (v.4).  The pursuit of holiness occurs daily as we yield ourselves in obedience to the Lord instead of following our old ways of self-gratification.  “Now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God.  Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.”  (v.22 NLT).

Are you becoming more holy?  By God’s grace and power, the answer can be a resounding “Yes!  More and more each day.”  David Mccasland

What were Jesus’ characteristics?  In what ways can I cooperate with Him to make those qualities become more a part of my life?

The choice to pursue holiness is a mater of life or death.

INSIGHT

In Romans 6:23 we are shown the great contrast between earned wages and the gift of grace.  All that we are capable of earning (wages) is death, but in Christ (the gift of God) we are offered payment for our sins and life forever.