The fact that God requires me to be holy has he is holy depresses me. No matter how hard I try, I eventually end up failing. Can you relate?
Discouraged, I often found myself wondering if I would ever meet God’s standard. Then one day, while studying God’s Word it all became clear. God never intended for me to be holy on my own. Why, because I can’t do it on my own. It’s through Christ alone we are made holy. God’s spirit, who is holy, lives within you and me so that we CAN be like Christ.
That’s good news!
This is the Holy Spirit’s job—to sanctify us. Sanctify means to separate and make holy. The work of God’s Spirit separates us from the world and makes us like Christ so that we are able to obey Him and grow to become like Christ.
Realizing this truth has made a huge impact on my life. I don’t have to promise God that I’m going to do better each time I mess up because I can’t. I no longer have to struggle or pretend to be holy either. I simply trust God’s Spirit to work in me. The secret to a holy live is not struggling to live for God, but allowing God to live through you. What freedom!
However, if all I desire is to be made somewhat better, I’m hindering God’s work. He wants much more for you and me. God wants us to realize that we can have His faith, His holiness, His patience, His godliness, His self-control, His power, His peace, His joy, and His loving-kindness! When you and I allow God too totally and completely posses us, then He exchanges His life for ours.
Sounds too wonderful to be true, but it is true. When you and I begin to BELIEVE this truth, it suddenly becomes a reality in our lives.
I challenge you today to mediate on this truth. To commit yourself wholly to Him, and then allow the Holy Spirit to impart to you the attributes of God. Now, think about how different your life will be. It will be the life you long for. The life promised to you and me by Christ. It’s real. Why not embrace it today.
Tia says
I have a lot of trouble with this. I am usually pretty hard on myself for making mistakes. I am working on this and I know that it’s ok to make mistakes, but it’s hard to understand why I keep making some of the same mistakes, when I know better. I am glad that God is with me and that He loves me enough to forgive me for each mistake. I want to be more like Christ, but it’s only through God’s grace.
Cindy says
I agree with Tia. This isn’t easy but I also know I make it harder than it should be. I need to rest in the utter relief of holiness – knowing that as I obey and rest in Him, holiness will follow and will keep me in truth.