09/01/2025
Have we set ourselves apart for God? In other words, are we holy? If we think that this is possible, or that we already are, then let's go a step further by asking ourselves "am I perfect?" These are both hard questions and we often deflect them by saying that only God is Holy, and only Jesus is perfect, so how could we who are fallen creatures possibly think of ourselves in this way? Well the answers might surprise you.
“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 of life should conform itself to that change. Suddenly we find ourselves separated from our old lives and become uncomfortable doing those things that were once routine for us. All those who are discipled to Jesus will realize this to be true, but especially the ones that this journey towards righteousness has brought the furthest.
For those brought up in a godly home the transformation is likely less dramatic than for others who were raised in families that were tolerant of sin and who had no example nor expectation of living a godly life; one that was founded in Jesus Christ. Yet whether we come from near or far God looks to draw us to His Son Jesus and separate us unto Himself... to make us holy. Let's listen as Pastor Oswald Chambers 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 we have been made holy. We may find ourselves called to be a missionary, a pastor, a healer, or just the holiest man or woman on our cell block at the Federal Prison, but when God and Jesus Christ separate us for themselves they will make us holy and perfect us. The consequences of previous sins may determine how and where we are used, and what our landscape will look like, but the holiness is the same. Was Paul any less holy in a Roman prison than he was 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?
“And I [Jesus] tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16:18 ESV
Let’s keep our eyes on God’s goal for us and conform ourselves to the plan He has for each of us. His desire isn't to make us a missionary; His goal is to make us a holy missionary. His desire isn't to make us one who speaks about Jesus in prison, but to be holy and set apart in all our ways should we do so.
Are we looking at ourselves with introspection and asking... "How can He possibly make someone like me Holy?" Maybe so but let’s each be assured that there is nothing our Father is incapable of doing, and no one that He can't make holy… or lead to perfection. Who would have thought that Saul/Paul would have become the follower of Jesus that he eventually became before he was knocked down and his life redirected? This was a man who persecuted and killed Christians... yet even he was salvaged by God for his purposes. Despite our being steeped in sin, and citizens of a most decrepit state, we are not irreparably lost. Let’s open our eyes to this one fact; we were made by the same God who made Abraham, Paul, and Peter. We are His creation, and His children, and He longs to return us to a state of holiness, and perfection… 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
So, if we allow ourselves to be set aside by God for His use then our lives will be changed, but let’s not doubt the power of God by asking, "Isn’t changing me something quite different from perfecting me?" Brothers and sisters, that kind of thinking is the dark one trying to cast doubt over our salvation, it is his way of throwing a shadow over the fullness of our redemption by Jesus Christ.
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 ESV
No destination is ever reached without first making the journey, and our perfection is no different. We must be purified but the first step in our journey is to never doubt God's ability to perfect us. Read these words that Paul wrote 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
Before we can be perfect we must first be perfected. This is not impossible... it is inevitable for those who believe in and 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 washed away by the redeeming blood of Jesus, and we have travelled the journey with Him, we will find that we are living a sanctified life of faith, and that we will have become holy and made perfect in Christ. It is then that the work of God's will and His desire for us will have been completed... just as He intended from before the foundation of creation. So, let’s not doubt His ability and determination in our lives, and partner with Him and Jesus in our perfection because we are indeed made holy in that effort.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your will in my life. 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 my intended perfection in 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 holy sacrifice. Praised be your name Father, I praise you every moment of every day for never abandoning me to sin, and I praise you for the certainty of each and every step of this journey you are guiding me along in my quest for 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 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 pleasing to you... now and for evermore. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who has loved me and desired that I be perfected from before the foundation of the world. Holy are you who desires to walk with me in eternity… made holy and perfected forevermore.
Amen, Amen, Amen!
Rich Forbes