Say What You See: Holy Standards

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.” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

Holy.

Such an important concept. So easily confused. It’s not a word mentioned often outside Christian circles. It’s such a crucial word that God’s character is defined by it, His Spirit is defined by it, and God expects those who follow Him to be marked by this unique quality.

My upbringing related holiness to external acts. It was about what you wore or didn’t wear. It was about where you went or where you didn’t go. It was about the language you used. As long as these conformed to how people read scripture then all was well.

Actually reading scripture and seeing the life Jesus leads brings a completely different take on what makes for holiness. He established this in the outlining of what true holiness meant in the Sermon on the Mount where though we thought it was just about the external, He points out it’s a matter of the heart.

Holiness incorporating the inside and out sets standards. It’s not a legalistic drag that you’re overwhelmed by. This is primarily because the Holy One allows His holiness to be in you by His Holy Spirit. Life by His grace is the daily reliance on Him to be like Him, nit just act but be. Those standards are things that allow us to challenge each other and stimulate each other to good works.

We are not saved to live a cushty life. Living for Jesus is holy living that’s distinct from the world around us not by rituals and routines, but by heart-motivations. As we encourage each other to live by that through Him, so we see an environment of holiness among us that points us to God’s presence always with us.

We are only His because we look to be like Him in doing and being.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden