09/01/2023
Have you set yourself apart for the use of God? In other words, are you holy? If you think you are then let's go a step further and ask ourselves another question: "am I perfect!" These are hard questions and we often deflect them by saying that only Jesus is perfect, so how could I possibly be holy.
“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."”
1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV
When we accept Jesus Christ as our savior and as the Lord of our life, then a change comes over us, and our expectations in life should conform to that change. Suddenly we find ourselves separated from our old lives and uncomfortable in doing those things that were once routine for us. All those who are disciples of Jesus realize this to be true, but especially the ones which this journey has brought the furthest. For those who were brought up in a godly home the transition was likely less dramatic than for others who lived their formative years in worldly lives, and found themselves in families, steeped in sin and debauchery, having had no example, and no anticipation of a godly life that was to come through Jesus. Yet from near or far God looks to separate us to Himself... to make us holy. Let's listen as Oswald Chambers as he discusses this reality...
"God has one destined end for mankind, viz., holiness. His one aim is the production of saints. God is not an eternal blessing-machine for men; He did not come to save men out of pity: He came to save men because He had created them to be holy. The atonement means that God can put me back into perfect union with Himself, without a shadow between, through the death of Jesus Christ." - Oswald Chambers
So, whether we are marginal sinners or murderers, He will not be satisfied until you have been made holy. You may find yourself called to be a missionary, a pastor, a healer, or just the holiest man or woman on your cell block at the Federal Prison, but when God and Jesus Christ separate you for themselves they will make you holy. The consequences of previous sins may determine how and where you are used, and what your landscape will look like, but the holiness is the same. Was Paul any less Holy in a Roman prison than in Jerusalem? Did Peter lose his holiness when he denied Jesus, three times, or was he still singled out and separated for the use of the Lord?
Keep your eye on the goal of God and conform yourself to the plan He has for you. His desire isn't to make you a missionary, His goal is to make you a holy missionary. His desire isn't to make you one who speaks about Jesus in prison, but to be holy and set apart in all your ways as you do so.
Do you look at yourself with introspection and say... "How can He possibly make someone like me Holy?" I hope so, but let me assure you that there is nothing our Father is incapable of, and no one that He can't make holy. Who would have thought that Saul would have become Paul the holy follower of Jesus before he was knocked down and redirected? This was a man who persecuted and killed Christians... yet even he was salvaged by God for his purposes. Despite being steeped in sin, and citizens of your most decrepit state, you are not lost. Open your eyes to this one fact; you were made by the same God who made Abraham, Paul, and Peter. You are His creation, and His child, and He longs to return you holy, and perfect, to Himself.
“For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."”
Hebrews 2:11-12 ESV
Once you allow yourself to be set aside by God for His use, and your life is holy, do you still doubt in the power of God and say "changing me is quite different from perfecting me... isn't it?" Brothers and sisters, that kind of thinking is the dark one trying to cast doubt over your salvation, it is throwing a shadow over the fullness of your redemption by Jesus Christ. Listen to what Jesus told us explicitly…
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 ESV
No destination is reached without first making the journey, and perfection is no different. We must be purified, but never doubt in God's ability to perfect us. Read Paul's words to the Philippians...
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12-14 ESV
Being perfect requires that we press on, and become perfected. This is not impossible... it is inevitable for those who follow Jesus.
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."”
Hebrews 10:14-17 ESV
When our sins are erased by our redemption in Jesus, and we have travelled the journey that is our life of faith, and become holy and perfect in Christ, then the work of God's will and His desire for us will have been completed... even as He intended from creation. So don't doubt His ability and determination in your life, and partner with Him in your perfection because you are indeed holy in that effort.
Prayer:
Father I thank you for your will in my life. I thank you for desiring me, and your inevitable goal of making me Holy and perfect. I pray that you strengthen me and never let me lose sight of your glory and the perfection of Jesus Christ. Let these things lead me along the way to righteousness, holiness, and perfection. On that day when I stand before you, may you see only those things perfected by Jesus and washed clean and white as snow by His sacrifice. Praised be your name Father, I praise you for never abandoning me to sin, and I praise you now for the certainty of every step of this journey you are guiding me along as I seek holiness and perfection in your eyes. Keep me Lord and never let my confidence in you waver; make straight my path to you and separate me in all things for your use and glory. You are my God, my Father, my Redeemer, and strong tower... in you I am made Holy, and in Jesus whom you sent I am perfected. At your feet I lay my life, and upon your altar I cast the blood of my hope and desire, to be yours always; may the scent of my offering be holy, perfect, and pleasant to you... now and for evermore.
Rich Forbes