1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; Does God expect me to keep my mind and body pure in today’s culture? In his Word, God calls his people to a life of holiness. Peter wrote, 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” (1Pe 1:14 – 16). When we read a passage like this, we might think, How can God expect me to live a holy life in a culture that bombards me every day with the very antithesis of holiness? When we’re tempted to respond this way, we must keep three things in mind. First, the culture of the Old and New Testament writers was every bit as decadent as ours is today. Sinful human nature hasn’t changed, nor has our adversary, the devil. We cannot excuse lowering our standards on the basis of the changing conditions in which we live. Second, the moral standards in the Word of God are no less applicable and binding today than they were when the Old and New Testament writers recorded in written words what God had previously made known to countless generations before through the witness of conscience and creation. God’s moral standards are as unalterable as the holy nature of God himself. His moral standards reflect his holy nature, and Peter calls us to mimic God as obedient children (1Pe 1:14). And third, God hasn’t left us alone in our fight against sin. He has given us the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. While no one will achieve sinless perfection on this side of heaven, the Spirit within is a powerful resource to aid us in becoming increasingly conformed in mind and body to the image of the holy God we love and serve. 1 Peter 1:14 NIV As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 05:49:00 +0000
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