TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see
the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of
bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;”
Hebrews 12:14-15 ESV
STAYING ON YOUR FEET: RESIST CONFORMITY
A man was reading his paper early one morning at the breakfast table. His wife came over to him and patted him on the shoulder. She looked at him, smiled, and said, “I bet you don’t know what today is, do you?” He looked at her and said, “Of course I know what day it is!” and went back to reading his paper.
He didn’t have a clue. He thought to himself, “Is it her BIRTHDAY? That must be it.” So after he got to work he called the florist and had a bouquet of white roses sent to his wife. Then as the day went on, he began worrying that flowers may not be enough for such an important day. “What if it’s our ANNIVERSARY?” So he went to the jewelry store down from his office, picked out a beautiful tennis bracelet and had it special delivered to his wife. He pulls into the driveway and his wife runs out to greet him. As he gets out of the car and presents her with a box of chocolates, she throws her arms around him and says, “Oh, honey, this is the best GROUNDHOG DAY I’ve ever had!”
Some days are more special than others. But ALL of Christ-followers are considered special. And if we want to keep standing as Christ-followers while we run the race of faith we should run like we’re special. Hebrews 12:14 teaches we should strive for “holiness.” Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology has a note that helps illustrate the meaning of “holiness” which could also be translated “sanctified” writing that “The generic meaning of sanctification is the state of proper functioning.” To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer. A pen is “sanctified” when used to write. Eyeglasses are “sanctified” when used to improve sight. In the theological sense, things are sanctified when they are used for the purpose God intends. A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he or she lives according to God’s design and purpose.”
Pastor Mike reminded us Sunday that if we are going to live according to God’s design and purpose we need to root out sin immediately. Part of the challenge to rooting out sin is the pressure around us to conform. Ask God to help you identify anything or anyone that is holding you back from His special design or purpose for your life. Ask God to help you resist the temptation to conform and to root out sin in your life.
