Holy Living and Godliness
Scripture:
2Pet. 3:11 ¶ Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness,
Observation:
No one knows when Christ will return again but as his followers we are encouraged to be living life on the highway of holiness. Jesus was born to prepare the way for us to be on that way, following him in all that we do. Since he came in the form of a little baby to sanctify humanity, we are called to follow him. He is our example. Through the power of grace and the Holy Spirit we are to live lives of holiness and godliness. When the time comes and the things that we have come depend on upon here on this earth dissolve away, what will remain will be the way paved by him. Will you be standing on solid ground? Or will your pathway dissolve under your feet?
The way is the way of holiness and therefore we are challenged to be living “lives of holiness and godliness.”
Application:
The “Life Application Bible” asks a very challenging question in regard to this verse of scripture, “Do you spend more of your time piling up possessions or striving to develop Christlike character?” Wow — what a question. There are so many ways in which we may be spending our time that this makes us stop and look back at our personal motivations. Why do we do the things that we do?
When we think of the life of holiness we must always see Christ as our example. The way in which he lived his life in the flesh is the example for you and for me. We are called to be imitators of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is not something that you and I have the power to do on our own, but the grace of God reaches out to us and the Holy Spirit empowers us to be able to be imitators of Christ. The more that we imitate Christ, simultaneously we are being drawn toward Christ on the way of holiness by the Holy Spirit. Eventually there comes a moment in time when we don’t know whether it imitation of Christ being seen in us, or Christ himself reflected in us because we have been transformed into powerful reflections of his image.
Jesus’ sacrifice of coming in the flesh means that he has provided the way for us to live holy and godly lives. To show our appreciation for that gift may we enter into the path he has prepared for us and practice holy living and godliness. Anything less is wasting the gift he has provided for us.
Stop making excuses for living mediocre Christian lives and embrace the gift of Jesus this Christmas! Then, live with the gift throughout the year as he challenges us onto holy living and godliness. We will never have to be worried about his return, for we will be ready every day, excited to be on the highway of holiness, the only path built by him.
Prayer:
Lord, please help me today and every day to live a life of holiness and godliness. Amen.
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