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Quest For Holiness

1 Peter 1:15

“In the world and not of it” is a mantra constructed from several scriptures. The original meaning was that we must live in the world, but not be corrupted by it. But separation became the emphasis. Stay away from “the world” so you won’t be corrupted.

It is interesting that while quoting this mantra ad infinitum, the church has become more of the world and not in it. It is much easier to tell others how messed up they are, while hiding the places where you fall short. Emphasis on separation allows someone to look and act holy. Rules of outward conformity have piled up pushing the church farther and farther from the community that they are supposed to love. Love becomes conditional, “We’ll let you in, if you agree look and act like us.”

Religious condemnation is the result. Society feels that the church is condemning them. And much like the pharisaical law of Jesus day, even people in the church feel condemned because the standard has become impossible to live.

True Christianity should set you free from the pile of rules! Romans 8:1-4 says that Jesus freed us from the Law. Rules only show you where you fall short, but a relationship with Jesus will bring life.

So then without manmade rules, the responsibility is yours to find out what God wants you to do. You’re not dependant on someone else to tell you what to do, so a real, personal relationship with God is important. Spending time with God and reading the Bible will help you to know how to live. God’s Spirit will work with your conscience to let you know what is blocking your relationship with Him.

In Hebrews 12:1 Paul says that we must drop the things that are weighing us down so we can run the race set before us. True holiness is when you listen to God daily and lay aside the things that are holding you back from doing what God wants in your life.

Is there something that you have felt is holding you back? Has God asked you to do something and you have delayed? Study, listen and obey.

James 1:22

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hey Brother G...if I was a non traditional, not so normal kind of person, I would come to your church! Love, g the sister
3:39 PM
Anonymous said…
Great post!!! This past week I finished up Mere Christianity, I think it was the first time that I've read it all the way through in a short time. I've realized that I'm doing the same thing to the traditional church that they're doing to the world, and i'm starting to fall back into a new kind of traditionalism, just a post-modern one this time. God's really showing me that I just need to live life in a way that's fair and just and true to God and myself and forget the other stuff that doesn't really matter, kind of like the Google list of faith that you always talk about.
Ryan
4:25 AM
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