1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written. You shall be holy, for I am holy.
We are called to live lives that are different than the world. We are called to stand out because of the stands we make and our attitudes we choose. Be holy because God is holy and we are His children.
When you raise your children typically your desire is for them to behave in a way that reflects the way you have taught them to live and God’s desire is for us to do the same. We are to reflect all that He has taught us in His word, the world may tell people there are no “absolutes”, but God’s word tells us different, God is very clear about what is right and wrong and that is to be our standard.
If we truly look at Jesus life we can see that He was a strong man, full of self control and compassion and without sin. Now, let’s face it, for us there is no way as a human who is not also God to be without sin until we are in heaven with Him, we are born sinners. Jesus stood for all that He believed in, He is and was God, He was not wimpy but He did it in a godly way with self control and His love for the lost.
The world wants to draw Christians into being more “accepting” and “tolerant” but that is not what we are called to: 1 Peter 2:15 “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” There’s nothing in that verse that says the will of God is for us to live anything that would be accepting and tolerant of what the Bible defines as sin. We are called to be Holy because He is Holy. If you are seeking His will for your life, that is the place to begin and He will show you the rest.
Jesus also did not run around condemning everyone else of their sin, He came to save and teach the lost so they would be drawn to Him. We need to be careful that we don’t try to become the judges we were never called to be. We are called to live a holy life and to stand for what is right and to love the sinners and hate the sin, just as He did and does. God is the judge and one day everyone will have to stand before Him and give an account so that can take that burden right off your shoulders, you don’t have to be the judge, just love and live a life that reflects the love of Christ. We are all sinners and as shocking as it may seem, sin is sin and it is all repulsive to God, so love people and live in a way that will make them want what you have, that is the answer to helping someone who doesn’t know Christ. When asked where you stand, have an answer that will line up with the word of God.
We all have areas in our lives that we can work on to become more like Christ. My prayer for each of us today is for us to open our hearts to allow Him to show us what we need to change to be more like Him.
Quote:
“Wherever you choose to go, go there with all your heart.” Simple Truths
This spoke to me so well, I have been struggling and really need prayer about my conduct and attitude toward my husband and son. My inadequacies as a claimed child of God leave me feeling so frustrated with myself and in turn with them that i get so stressed and hurt their feelings when they hurt mine or do something i dont like or wouldn’t do, i know i need to love and forgive them and work on me but at same time i feel like their behaviors hurt me and make my time with the Lord and what i need to do for him getting further apart, please pray for me that my relationship with him will grow and in turn help me a better mother and wife instead of this angry stressed crazy woman that i am. Thank you and God bless.
I am praying for you Ashley, I would also recommend that you read the book “Boundaries” by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. It sounds as though you need to set some boundaries in how you are treated as well, it isn’t all on you. I will pray for God to give you His strength and wisdom. Please feel free to email me anytime as well when you are struggling at [email protected]