A call to be holy

A call to be holy

The apostle Peter writes,

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  

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." 1Peter 1:13-16.

The apostle Peter here calls Christians, true believers in Christ to be holy.

In chapter two of first Peter, Peter notes,

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.1Peter 2:9.

As a royal priesthood we are obligated to live a holy life. A life that attracts people to Christ without us even saying a word.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

                                                                                         Francis of Assisi.

We should not have to tell the people around us that we are true believers in Christ Jesus. The holy life we live should say that for us. Without us saying a word.

Please think about it.

Living a good life

 Living a good life

The writer of Hebrews states,

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14.

The Apostle Peter who wrote,

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.

Jesus said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.

I know we are all human, we make mistakes and fall short of what God wants for our lives. That being said however, if we are truly followers of Christ Jesus we should be at least trying to make the above scriptures active in our daily lives.

Thus my questions to you. 

Are you trying to live at peace with all those around you? 

Are you trying to live a holy life? 

Are you doing your best to abstain from sinful desires? 

Are you living a good life? Above all are you treating those around you in the same way your would have them treat you?

Please think about it.

A Standard for Christian living

 A Standard for Christian living

As Christians I believe there are certain standards we must live by. By live by I mean everything we do must line up with these standards. Standards set by Jesus himself and the apostles.

1/ Love,

Jesus when asked,

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  

This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.

Jesus also said,

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..." Matthew 5:43,44

From the above scriptures we can see that we must love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. And we must pray for them. These are absolute truths directly from Jesus.

2/Live in Peace.

The apostle Paul states,

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."Romans 12:18.

The writer of Hebrews agrees with this saying,

3/ Live Holy lives

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14 

Thus we must endeavour to live at peace and live holy lives, for "...without holiness no one will see the Lord." 

4/Respect authority.

The apostle Paul tells us to,

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,... "Titus3:1

5/Do not slander

".....slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men." Titus 3:2.

6/Exhibit the fruits of a true Christian. The fruit of the Spirit

The apostle Paul tells us,

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  

gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22,23.

7/ Respect others even if you vehemently disagree with them. 

Jesus said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.

If you claim to be a true follower of Christ Jesus...

Please don’t just think about what is said here. Do it.

Above all

 Above all

The writer of Hebrews states,

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14.

The Apostle Peter who wrote,

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.

Jesus said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.

I know we are all human, make mistakes and fall short of what God wants for our lives. That being said however, if we are truly followers of Christ Jesus we should be at least trying to make the above scriptures active in our daily lives.

Thus my questions to you. 

Are you trying to live at peace with all those around you? 

Are you trying to live a holy life? 

Are you doing your best to abstain from sinful desires? 

Above all are you treating those around you in the same way your would have them treat you?

Please think about it.

3 quotes + 1

3 quotes + 1
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
The late English evangelist Charles Spurgeon said,
"O Christian people, be holy, for Christ is holy. Do not pollute that holy Name wherewith you are named. Let your family life, your personal life, your business life, be as holy as Christ your Lord would have it to be."  Charles H. Spurgeon.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                              Francis of Assisi.

Whether you like it or not if you claim to be Christian a follower of Christ Jesus. It is through the lense of your words and deeds that people will see Christ.
Thus the need for each individual to take a look at their life from time to time. To take a look at what they are doing and what the say. For what we say and do has the potential for eternal consequences.
Each believer in Christ Jesus is Christ’s representative on this earth. Thus the need for a holy life.
Living a holy life does not mean constantly preaching, or as one of my pastors said, “becoming so heavenly minded you are no earthly good.”
The world wants to see Christians who are real and genuine. Who are truly living out their faith.
Billy Graham once said,
"Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them."Billy Graham.
Sadly he’s right. Many calling themselves Christians outside of Church cannot be distinguished from those who are not Christians.
Thus my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian. Is your words and deeds outside the Church reflecting the Love of God?
Please think about it.

Christians have an obligation

Christians have an obligation
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus told his disciples to make disciple of all nations. It is something a Christian in the twenty-first century has an obligation to do also.
We however cannot do that if we build walls intentionally or unintentionally between us as those outside the church. We as believers in Christ Jesus must present the gospel of Christ in a respectful manner to those around us. That is what Jesus and the apostles did. That is what we must do.
Jesus I believe was born at the perfect moment in time for many reasons.
One the gospel message could travel throughout the known world in a relatively safe manner.
The other he was born into a multicultural empire that allowed many cultures, religions and philosophies to exist peacefully side by side very much like today.
True there were areas that the apostles went to that caused them grief and at times believers in Christ were persecuted. Even put to death. But that is true today also.
In fact I’ve heard it said that “the Roman empire in the time of Jesus had the same multicultural mix as we have today minus the high tech.”
As a result we can learn from Jesus and the disciples how to present the gospel.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9.
Nowhere do I see in the New Testament a call to preach so called ‘Hell fire and brimstone’.
It is the obligation of the Christian to be a peacemaker. To offer the peace of God to anyone who will listen.
No where do I see that Christians have the right to judge anyone or tell anyone where they will or will not spend eternity. Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul made it clear, saying,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13
Jesus and the apostles presented the message of salvation in a loving, caring, respectful way. This is how we as believers in Christ Jesus must do it today.
For it is only by doing it the way Christ and his disciples did it we will reach the world around us.
Please think about it.

Seek Peace

Seek Peace
The Psalmist writes

“Come, my children, listen to me; 

I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

                                                                             Psalm 34:11-14

The apostle Paul writes,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone.”

                                 Romans 12:18

The Writer of Hebrews states,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men

 and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

                                                 Hebrews 12:14.

Living at peace with all men, even your enemies is the key to a good Christian life. Living at peace with those around you is the key to being able to spread the gospel of Christ.
The apostle Peter tells us,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12
The Apostle Paul tells believers what the fruits of a good Christian life are when he writes to the Galatians saying,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

 love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  

gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law.”  

                                              Galatians 5:22,23.

If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus are you living at Peace with those around you? Is your life exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit?
Please think about it.