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How to be Holy
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John 15:10 Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you. (ESV)
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Download audio fileObedience. Now there’s a double-edged sword if ever there was one. Certainly, when we’re in control, we want others to obey us. But how much do we enjoy obeying someone else, when they’re the boss?
Not much is the answer. Which is why the idea of obeying God is so out of vogue in the twenty-first century church. Yesterday we looked at this passage:
Leviticus 20:7,8 Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you. (ESV)
It’s about setting ourselves apart for God, by being obedient – by keeping His statutes and doing them. Now perhaps you’re thinking to yourself, that’s a very Old Testament view of the world. I’m not under the law, I’m under grace.
And you’d be right up to a point, but not to the point of dismissing the whole idea of obedience. Here’s a New Testament take, from the lips of Jesus Himself:
John 15:10 I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and he continues to love me. In the same way, if you obey my commands, I will continue to love you.
Obedience to God is no less an issue in the New Testament than it was in the Old, it’s just that the emphasis has changed. The “how”, if you will, has changed. Because we’re now under grace, the free, unmerited favour of God, obedience is no longer about following a set of rigid rules. It’s a love response.
Do you call yourself a Christian? Then Jesus is calling you to “obey His commands” in response to the love that He poured out for you on that Cross. The way we love Him, is to obey Him.
I’m sorry if that’s not all that popular these days, but …
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
Comments
Sydney Schubert
Hi Bernie, This is great, however do people, especially Christians need to be made aware that actions result in consequences. This is clearly set out in Mat. 7:20 – 7::23 NASB. The Question I ask : is there ANY HOPE FOR THOSE WHO FIT THIS PROFILE ?