Why is it important to care for a holy life?

 An Emoji Devotions for Wed, 10 February 2021

Topic: Why is it important to care for a holy life?

By H. U. Wenger

Highlights: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) 

We do know that except for Jesus himself, every one of us is a sinner. According to the sermon of the mount we all qualify for murderers and adulterers. Nevertheless many Christian consider the doctrine of the sermon of the mount as an ideological non-reachable ideal. Yes, of course we should strive for a sanctified life, but Jesus himself did not believe it really possible and therefore he has given us his own righteousness for free, as a gift. Even the Epistle to the Hebrews mentions that we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) We cannot do without sin, so why bother?

This is a doctrine that has spread from the Western liberal theology and it is a dangerous cancer in the church today that causes Christianity to be without the dynamics of salt and light. Although nobody can claim to be without sin as long as we live in the flesh (1. John 1: 8) we always have to aspire for a more sanctified life. This is the only way to become more like Jesus. Yes, it is true that Jesus has gifted his disciples with his righteousness and holiness, but it is also true that he called them time and again to a holy life: compare the beatitudes (Matthew 5: 3 – 12); be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5, 13 – 16); keep the law (Matthew 5, 17 - 42); love your enemies and be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5: 43 – 48) He encourages to let go of the earthly worries about clothing and food and to concentrate on his kingdom and his righteousness. (Matthew 6: 28 – 34) The apostles continue in that very tradition. All the Epistles show us what riches and blessings are bestowed on us through the redemption through Christ and then encourages us to lay down everything that belongs to the old nature and live in the Holy Spirit, the new nature, God has given us. We cannot follow Jesus just ideally or spiritually. Discipleship needs always to be wholeheartedly, including my mind, my soul, my body and eventually my actions.

Jesus warns us: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21 – 23)

Highlights: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:” … (Colossians 3:1 – 5a)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I earnestly want to be holy as you are holy, but I am not. Help me to grow and to be transformed into your image. Thank you for the Holy Spirit and forgive me any resistance I have put against his guidance. My life belongs to you, take it and form it into your image. Amen.