Being Holy In An Unholy World

"…unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." —Matthew 5:20

“The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in his motives, having been made good by the supernatural grace of God. … The purity that God demands is impossible unless I can be remade within, and that is exactly what Jesus has undertaken to do through His redemption… The great wonder of Jesus Christ’s salvation is that He changes our heredity. He does not change human nature— He changes its source, and thereby its motives as well.”  OSWALD CHAMBERS 

"Woe to me! I cried. I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." - Isaiah 6:5

When Isaiah was in the presence of the Lord, he was suddenly and painfully aware of his sinful nature. That awareness was inescapable.  His very nature was laid bare before God.  There was nothing He could do to make it right or to hide it.  It was necessary for God to intervene on Isaiah’s behalf. 

“Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” - Isaiah 6:6-7

In the same way God intervened on our behalf on the day of our rebirth through faith in Jesus. The question that came to my mind this morning is this. After so many days, months and years have passed since I was born again, am I still aware of my dependence upon the Father’s intervention in my life? Aware that I am a man of unclean lips and cannot stand in the presence of a holy God on my own merit.  That I, just like you, am called to be holy in an unholy world.  Or have I “adjusted” to my new life and really don’t see some of my sins as being significant. I fear for many Christians, as far as they are concerned, they are content with maintaining a good balance between their sinful and holy lives.  As if it is possible to find harmony between the their old and new natures. Their goal is to keep the influence of the two at an acceptable level.

So being mindful of my salvation and the new life I have been called to I say ""Woe to me! .... I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

But for Jesus!

 “Or do you not know (or remember) that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone