For Believers, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that we are here for just a short time before we transfer to our eternal home and blissful life in Heaven. We forget that we are here to fulfill God's purposes, not our own. Instead, we live in constant pursuit of our own agenda, not God's agenda. In pursuit of temporal things that bring temporal pleasure, but nothing of lasting value.
How does God say we should live our lives? What are we to pursue?
He says:
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Wow! That's a tall order. Who can achieve holiness? Who can be holy in all they do?
First, it's important to know that once we come to Christ, receiving His sacrifice on the cross as payment for our sins and surrendering our lives to Him, God sees us through the holiness of Jesus Christ.
So then, if God already sees us as holy and righteous in Christ, do we really have to do anything?
Yes, for though God sees us as holy, He also tells us to be holy.
Just what does that mean? Here are some definitions of the words holy and holiness...
- Sacred
- Physically Pure
- Morally Blameless
- Consecrated to God (set apart for His purposes)
- Respectful in our Conduct
2 Corinthians 7:1 says, ."..dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."
It's an ongoing process. God is perfecting us, but we have a part to play, too. We are to separate ourselves from sin and devote ourselves to God. We are to pursue righteousness, holiness, godliness, reverence, obedience to God's word and His will.
Why? Because we are sacred - set apart for God's use - serving a sacred purpose.
God has plans for our lives (each individual life), more importantly, God has plans for those around us and He wants to use us, His children to accomplish those plans. To bring salvation, healing, provision and blessing to the hurting and the lost. He wants to do that through us, but how can He use us for His purposes if we are busy pursuing our own?
Does what we do with our lives really matter to God?
Yes! Paul says to Timothy...and to us:
"So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
This is not a judgement for our sins. Those were already paid for through Christ. No, this is a judgement for Believers only, to give an account for their lives and receive rewards according to what we have done after receiving Christ as Savior.
That should give us pause to consider how we are spending our short lives here. Are we pursuing holiness and God's purposes? Will we be blessed or embarrassed when we stand before the judgement seat of Christ?
My friends, I encourage you to be in pursuit - of God, of His will and of His purposes. Each day He wakes you up on this earth holds the opportunity to serve Him, to behave in a way that honors him and and the opportunity to serve others. Be alert to His promptings to help those around you. This is why you are alive today.
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