Can you be perfect?

1 Peter 1:13 says, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

I remember the first time I read this verse. It was a bit overwhelming, as it should be. Peter is instructing us to be holy? Doesn’t that mean he is essentially telling us to be perfect? uhhh, no.

Holiness is impossible for man. There is only one person who ever lived a holy life…Jesus Christ. So it is important to understand this concept of dying with Christ and being reborn in him and through him. When we die to who we were, that person no longer exists. When we have a new life, our life is now the same as Christ. That’s why the word says, “Christ in you, the hope of Glory.” God no longer sees the old you, he sees his son (and in a weird way, himself) in you. So when peter says be holy, what he is essentially saying is let Christ be in you so God sees you as holy.

If you are a new Christian this should be one of the most liberating passages in the bible. If you read it out of context it would be overwhelming because you would think you can’t sin because you would fail at being holy. What you need to receive from this passage is that you can’t be holy apart from Christ, so let him in. When you realize this what should happen is a genuine thankfulness for what God has done by making you holy and then you actually want to work towards holy living. Remember, we bear fruit as Christians which means as you grow, more of God should show in you than your old self. But, you are made instantly holy at the point you receive Christ…it’s just time to start appropriating this holy living in your daily lifestyle.

Thank you Lord for your forgiveness and love in spite of me.

Living in the Burbs

Hebrews 13:12-1 says, “And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.”

Paul paints this really cool picture of the fact that when the Law was given, one of the rules was to burn the body of the sacrificed animal outside the city walls because it was unclean and only clean things should be within the walls of the city. He says that Jesus was the final sacrifice and like the unclean animal he too was outside the city walls suffering. But what I really like is when it says, “let us go with him and bear the disgrace he bore.” Essentially what he is saying is that if Jesus was outside the city suffering we too should live a life that is counterculture, requiring us to give up the lavish lifestyle of living within the city walls. (this is not an argument on why you need to sell your positions, I’m talking about figurative concepts).

How does this translate to our personal life? The first thing i think of is how we all want to be in with the “it” crowd. We want to be part of the popular circles, we want to be on the “inside.” I’m not saying that this is a bad thing, but saying that when we associate with Jesus there will be times when we will be left outside to suffer and this is NOT a bad thing. To suffer in any way for the sake of Christ is an honor. We live in a country and a time when we are not suffering much for the sake of the gospel, which is a blessing in it self. But what i know is when those days come be prepared. Maybe you have to stand up for what is right at work you don’t get the promotion or raise. Maybe you loose a friend because you are not willing to compromise your convictions. There are so many modern-day forms of suffering and identifying with Christ. They don’t look like the days of Peter, James and John. These are new days that bring their own new sufferings.

I pray I never become ashamed to live outside the city gates with Jesus.

 

I am the worst

1 Timothy 1:15-17 says, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

This passage does not require much explanation. I think what I love most about this short passage is how Paul ends it. First, he realizes his position in the Lord…he is a sinner saved by grace. Then he is overwhelmed and praises God by saying “Now to the King…”

How easy to I forget what God has done for me? Do I praise God daily for being set free from slavery to sin? Forgive me Lord! You are good, you are holy, you are worthy, you are kind, you are generous, you are compassionate, you are a friend to sinners, you are perfect, you are my provider, you are enough, you are more than enough, you have beaten death, you have bought me, you have saved me, you have forgiven me, you love me, you care for me, you are…