We live in a world that is careening away from anything and everything HOLY. A world with an unhealthy focus on self that is antithetical to being HOLY. A world that plots at every turn against a Christian’s desire to be HOLY in God’s eyes.
Yes, living a holy life in Christ is one tough job. But it is worth forging ahead toward sanctification, anyway. That was the aspirational goal Paul gave the Thessalonians…
“May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 GNT
Sanctification is the holiness that comes from the Lord himself. It produces an inner peace made possible through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s powerful presence when we walk in obedience and bring our life’s heartbeat to him in prayer.
Holiness means to be without blame before the Lord and others. But to be without blame has nothing to do with reaching the impossible state of sinless perfection in this life.
To be blameless means that we have no legitimate grounds for accusation before God and we haven’t wronged others without seeking to make it right. We have a clear conscience before God because we are living an authentic life and have turned away from sin.
To be sanctified and held blameless, put simply, means to live uprightly before God and before others.
“But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 GNT
I ask God to strengthen me to persist, in his confidence, toward Godly sanctification and the inner peace it spawns.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is the world trying to talk you out of living a sanctified and blameless life?
