February 11, 2013
“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
There are two worlds before you today. One world has “you” at the center of how you are going to live your life. You can be well-intentioned .. moral .. and decent. The other world has Christ at the center and His life is the life that shapes you. You will become something impossible without him: Holy. That little word wrecks havoc in every sector of life. It means your life is not your own. You’ve become and are becoming a man or woman whose primary aim and motivation is to love God with everything that is in you. It affects everything: your marriage .. your friendships .. how you go about your work .. how you value your possessions .. who you are when no one is looking .. how you forgive .. .. how you spend money .. how you love .. and how you live your life. One world says it doesn’t matter how you live your life; you are on your own. The other world says you are not your own; you belong to Another who has satisfied (atoned for) any and every debt you will ever owe God. You are free through the atoning life of Jesus. You can let go of trying to make life work and quit trying to find a “balance” so you can live in both worlds. You live in two worlds .. but there is only one reality for your life and who you are today. Will you see your holiness? No .. and that is a good thing. What you are to see today is the world you live in and the possibilities of what it could look like with Christ at the center. God is in the life-shaping business and He is shaping your life to look like Jesus. All that you have to be concerned about today is loving Christ. It doesn’t mean everything in your life will be perfect. It means that today, you have set your heart .. your mind .. and your life to follow Jesus. It’s His life in your life that matters today. Who are you going to let “pull you along today”? It only takes a moment …
“and He himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2 New American Standard
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Propitiated Disciples following Jesus and friends of Priority One (KchesterP1@gmail.com)
