What holiness looks like…

 
Since ‘holy’ is about purity and about being set apart and unlike or ‘other than’ this means the people of God are not like what we were once like. Our life “hid with Christ in God” is a hidden life as to its source, at least to those who do not focus on Jesus, but that life with Jesus must not be hidden as to its outward results. People ought to see that I walk as Christ walked. Even in challenges, my life will be different. It should prove that I possess what I profess. This means turning my back on everything that is contrary to the perfect will of God and being what some translations call “peculiar people” in the eyes of the people around me.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11–14)

Wherever I go, this “other than” ought to be seen in my habits, state of mind, values, interests, conversations, and activities. For instance, because I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, I must  no longer look on my money as mine, but as belonging to the Lord to be used in His service. I must not use my energies in the pursuit of worldly means, but “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” knowing that God will take care of my needs. (Matthew 6:33)

God does not ask me to seek prominence or worldly advantages. I’m not to make myself the center of my thoughts and goals. My days are not to be spent serving me or my I-wants but in serving the Lord. He calls me to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. All my daily duties are to have His attitude, “not as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord” (Ephesians 6:5–8) The will of God is not only different but perfect, yet it does require something from me:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1–2)

First, I must yield to Him, not with eye-service as to impress others by looking good, but from the heart. This is “spiritual worship” and therefore from the spirit, the deepest part that is made alive in redemption and is my connection with the Spirit of God. My worship cannot be outward actions, or merely intellectual or emotional in nature. I can choose to worship but true worship is from the heart and all of my being, yielded totally to the Lord.

Also, I’m to say no to the world and its values, motivations, and the ways of expressing them:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

All this means being different, ‘other than’ and often mocked by those who cannot fathom why anyone would live this way. It makes no sense to them. In our culture, our Christian ways are ignored, sometimes ridiculed or even opposed. In many parts of the world, this way is persecuted and many Christians die at the hands of those who see this ‘other than’ way of life as a threat to their own.

PRAY: Jesus, thank You for new life with its great challenge to be holy because You are holy. Keep my focus on You during these days of confusion and so many needs in others who ask for prayer and in those who deny that You even exist. Grant me the strength to persevere, not only in prayer but in being what You want me to be — holy and set apart for You.

Jealousy not recommended . . .

 

It is said that jealousy wants the same as what others have, and envy is also that, but adding wishing that what others have is taken away from them. The Bible use of these two terms is not that clearly defined and the idea of being jealous or envious varies with the context. The only certainty is that wanting what I do not have is a rebuke to God for not doing what I think is best for me. It is an expression of distrust as well as being unloving toward others. It replaces contentment with resentment and is a root of many other sinful attitudes and actions.

If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (James 3:14–16)

I remember being jealous of those who lived in a big house. God has a sense of humor. He taught me to be content with what I had, then after that, we lived in a big house and I realized that contentment had nothing to do with having what I wanted! It is more about wanting what I have — and trusting God who knows what is best for me. I’ve quoted my mother who often said, “We must need it or we wouldn’t be getting it.” God uses that thought to steer me away from any sort of envy.

The love chapter says, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.” (1 Corinthians 13:4) Experience shows me how boasting and arrogance are part of envy. They reveal an attitude of heart that thinks I am or should be above others, or at least be noticed and elevated in some way. It is opposite of humility and humility is a necessary component of love. I cannot love others if I think I am better or more important than they are.

When Paul was in prison, some were “preaching Christ from envy and strife” out of “selfish ambition” and he rejoiced that Christ was preached regardless of their motives. These days, there are a preachers with that same selfish ambition. They line their pockets, build big estates, have airplanes and fancy cars, but they preach Christ. I’ve resented their hypocrisy but see how my love for Jesus and the gospel should make me rejoice rather than resent them. At least He is being preached.

It is the same when anyone is successful in any way, even in the same things I do but with greater results. Love means being glad at the blessings God gives others, not being jealous, or boastful, or wanting to look as good as others, or even be arrogant and thinking I should have more than they have.

Jesus had much to say about wanting more out of selfish ambition or jealousy. As for daily needs, He said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) Get my priorities in line.

If I boast by putting others down, He said, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5) He also said many times that those who wanted to be first will be last and, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

There is a good side of jealousy for the Bible talks of God being a jealous God. Because He knows what is best for me, He is zealous to guard me from making foolish choices. The same applies to marriage where each partner will protect the relationship in a jealous desire to not allow any intrusion. However, for the most part, jealousy is unloving and self-centered. The worst thing it does is motivate strong ‘I wants’ that cause me to go ahead of God or act without consulting Him and try to do things that He does not will for me or want for those around me.

PRAY: Jesus, keep me alert to the reasons for wanting to do things. Love is not envious and not motivated by personal desire for comfort, achievement, success or any focus on myself. Love is also glad when You bless other people, even if You seem to bypass me. You know what is best. May I always trust You with everything.

PONDER: 2 Corinthians 11 & 12 tell of Paul’s “divine jealousy” in a lengthy description of how that showed up in his life. How is this also a description of his love for God’s people? And a description of God’s love for me?