[Faith-talk] a hard truth

[Andrew Edgcumbe]

A Hard Truth

By Overseer Christopher J. Harris
This week's topic: Holiness


 I struggled for several weeks with whether I should really answer a
question that a friend, wanting my opinion, posed to me. I didn't
struggle with the wisdom I would share. Nor did I struggle with my
ability to communicate the truth in a way for it to be understood. My
struggle wasn't even about my friend’s reaction or our relationship
long-term. My uneasiness was focused on the lifestyle adjustments that
this new wisdom would require. It would require him to do one of the
hardest things in life to do. And that is, change.


It was a hard truth that needed to be heard, but it would be much
harder to implement and live by.

 This is the same reality that we face in the area of holiness. Many
of you that are reading this today know that holiness is not a
denomination, nor a cultural phenomenon. It is a biblical mandate that
still holds true, despite its branding of being out of date, out of
style, or even that it requires what I call 'spooky religious'
behavior.

 The mandate of holiness is a hard truth that can be hard to discuss
and converse about, but it still requires change, accountability,
consistency, maturity and obedience.

 New believers don't believe that it's attainable. 'Churched'
Christians minimize it as old fashioned. Carnal Christians ignore it.
And rigid (Pharisaic) Christians use it (the concept) as weapons to
belittle and manipulate others.

With all of this division, God’s Word still carries the expectation
and requirement that holiness is the standard, which leads us to the
question: If God’s Word expects it, how do we actually live that out
in our daily lives?

 1 Peter 1: 13-16 provides clear instruction on this process of moving
toward holiness. Indeed, it is a process that is more marathon and
triathlon than sprint and quick jogs. This passage shows us in a very
practical way how to begin to live out holiness in our daily life.

 Peter writes to believers, in a simple approach, that we must:

1. Prepare Ourselves (v. 13)
 2. Purge Ourselves (v. 13)
 3. Position Ourselves (v. 14)
 4. Purpose Ourselves (v. 14)

 We prepare our hearts, minds and bodies to act in a way that pleases
God. This requires an intentional plan of action that puts us on alert
to doing God’s will. It is the same effect as when we drive a car and
immediately our sense of lawfulness arises and we begin to check our
speed, confirm that we are buckled in, ponder our tag expiration, etc.
When we prepare for holiness, we alert ourselves to the presence of
God.

 We purge our hearts, mind and bodies of things that don’t reflect the
character and nature of God. The good news is that God doesn’t require
us to complete this process alone. He has offered the Holy Spirit to
be an active part of our lives and thus enable us to live according
His Word.

 We position ourselves on the hope that the grace of Jesus Christ
provides. This provision is one that is of faith, hope and love – all
of which are unconditional. We position ourselves to live holy
lifestyles when we extend to others what we have been recipients of.

 Finally, we purpose and commit to living holy regardless of the
adjustments, change and awkwardness it takes. The tension that comes
from pursuing God is well worth enduring and embracing. This hard
truth may hurt our toes, but it’ll help us walk better.

Scripture Of The Day: "As obedient children, do not conform to the
evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who
called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." - 1 Peter 1: 14-15
(NIV)