From ignorance to holiness

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14–16)

The phrase “passions of your former ignorance” catches my attention. The Greek word translated ‘passions’ means ‘strong, self-indulgent cravings that displace a proper affection for God.’ For most people, this could be a list ranging from over-eating to far worse desires and activities. The word for ‘ignorance’ is simply lack of knowledge or education.

This morning’s newspaper had an article about a young man who died at a party from ingesting an overdose of prescription drugs. I shook my head and said, “How can anyone be so foolish?” Yet this is the ignorance that leads to self-indulgent cravings. In his case, it was a desire for an emotional and physical ‘high’ and his craving was strong enough to override any warning bells that may have gone off in his head.

I cannot claim to be any better. Even as a Christian, I’ve gone against those warning bells a few times. I wanted something, and in itself it was not always an evil something, but God was saying ‘no’ and I was not listening.

The goal of God for His people is to transform us into the image of His Son. That means holiness. The lie is that God wants us healthy, wealthy, and comfortable. If we believe that lie, then as Chambers says in his devotional for today, we will resent the preaching of the gospel. It reveals that no person is holy, and at the same time may stir up a craving for it.

Since that end goal is available through faith in Jesus Christ, why resent the gospel? The only answer is that immature attitude of a spoiled child: ‘I want what I want when I want it.’ Sinners do not want holiness because they do not want their indulgences checked.

As I look back on my ‘former ignorance’ I can see that not all of my passions were evil. I had (and still do) a passion for artistic endeavor, but there came a point where God could see that passion was interfering with my affection for Him. He checked my indulgence and for a long time put my attention only on Him. When that relationship was more deeply established, He allowed me to pick up a paint brush again. When I did, I discovered that I could ‘take it or leave it’ for the craving was replaced with a desire to obey God. Now I can be artistic at His bidding and for His purposes, not simply to satisfy myself. The wonder is that His way is far more satisfying than that never-satisfied passion to serve myself.

Holiness is about purity, but it also means ‘other than human’ which describes God, and ‘set apart for God’ which describes His people. Purity covers the evil indulgences, and being set apart for God covers anything that is not evil but can become a selfish indulgence, such as art, sports, hobbies, etc.

Chambers says holiness means “unsullied walking with the feet, unsullied talking with the tongue, unsullied thinking with the mind—every detail of the life under the scrutiny of God.” It is the way that I can demonstrate that I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Qualifed to run, qualified to win

The best part of the Olympics is the comradery between the competing athletes. No matter what country they are from, many of them rejoice with those who beat them and commiserate with other losers, even in the qualifying rounds. I enjoy the hugs and high fives as much or more than the wins and medals.

One thing that bothers me is disqualifications. Sometimes the winner of a particular competition is bumped out. They must have jumped the gun or done something else wrong, but it is seldom explained; they are simply dropped to the bottom without a score.

The Bible sometimes compares the Christian life with that of an athlete. We too must exercise rigorous discipline if we are going to qualify as God’s runners in our race of godly living and ministry to others. While we do not become Christians by following rules, we must stick to them if we want to successfully serve the Lord.

For instance, if I want to teach others, I must use the Bible, not my own ideas. I must consider the learners and pray for them. If I am going to be generous with my time and money, I must seek the Lord’s guidance and direction about what to do with both; there are far too many needs for me to judge the best places to begin.

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he describes what is necessary for discipleship. He tells this young pastor that he must “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” and that “no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life” because we are to “please Him who enlisted” us in this spiritual battle.

Then in 2 Timothy 2:5, Paul uses another metaphor. He says, “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

Watching the qualifying rounds and an occasional disqualification in these Beijing Olympics reminds me that even though I am not an athlete, I still must pay attention to everything God says. If I try to do things my way, it is definitely not the high way, but more like a recipe for certain disaster.

Certainly this adherence to “the rules” can bring me into conflict. One is the conflict with my own ideas about things. Unless my mind is renewed and transformed by the Lord, I will have selfish motives and personal glory in mind. God does not honor me with victory when I play by those rules.

Another conflict can be with other people. Like playing Scrabble® where it seems easier to make up words for the other person, it also can seem easier to run someone else’s life and ministry. I need to focus on what God tells me to do. I can listen to the input of godly people, but need discernment. If they are playing Scrabble and not paying attention to the Holy Spirit, I could be derailed by a simple desire to please them and do what they say instead of following the Lord’s direction.

Rules. God didn’t save me because I could keep them, but now that He has filled me with Himself, I need to listen and obey my new source of power and motivation—lest I be disqualified from serving Him.