September 7, 2011
“As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy”. 1 Peter 1:16 The Message
You don’t have a “choice”. You want one .. but if you belong to Jesus .. your life completely His … you are called to a lifelong pull .. push .. and heart-healing life of holiness. You don’t have a choice because God said it very clearly .. very simply .. and very personally: You are to be like Me … Holy! There’s no way around it but there are all kinds of bumps .. detours .. and grace-filled moments where God reminds you who you are in Christ. He does that over and over because He knows the Life He has called you to live and walk in everyday. God’s secret: He knows it is impossible to live the Life he has called you to live without Him. So He steps in .. literally .. Into your life .. and offers you His life. He could have demanded that you meet His standard first but He doesn’t. He meets you at the lowest standard of your life. The Cross isn’t God’s lowest point. It was and is your lowest point where God offers you forgiveness and holiness in place of your unforgivable mess and un-holy life. You want a choice? You’ve got one .. but it isn’t really a choice. You can let go .. and let Him in. And He moves in! And when Jesus moves in He goes room by room through your life. He’s writing a holy whole story in your life. And it only takes a moment …
“I am God who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Be holy because I am holy.” Leviticus 11:45 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to holy ones following Jesus and friends of Priority One. (Ken@priorityone.org)