Some Thoughts on Holiness

Holiness.........Set Apart for God- for His Purposes. Holiness is not so much about do this and don't do that as it is about the reality that I am not made for this world. I am a stranger here- this is not my home. The more I look to this world for my happiness the more frustrated I am destined to become. God's call to me for Holiness is out of His Love for me. God's call to Holiness is a call to Wholeness- To Life in Him Jesus said, "I am the Vine, you are the branches- remain in Me- Apart from Me you can do nothing. Remain in Me and you will bear much fruit" Holiness is abiding in Christ. It is not following a set of rules. Following rules can not bring life. Jesus offers Life- Full, Whole, Complete Life. 1 Peter 1:13-19 Excerpts Prepare your minds for action.... Set your Hope fully on the Grace given as Jesus is revealed...... As He who called you is Holy, be Holy in all you do......... Be Holy because I am Holy....... Live your Lives as strangers here in reverent fear....... For you know your redemption did not come from the things this world considers precious, but from the Precious Blood of Christ...... A Lamb without blemish or defect (Set apart fully for God's Purpose of Love and Redemption) Living in this world-I need to be reminded of what is real. Holiness is a call to that- what is real- to what is true. Holiness is about a focus on what has substance. Holiness is not achieved by following a set of rules. Holiness is seen in a Life consumed with Christ. Holiness is not as much about separation from as separation to. Set your Hope fully on Grace in Christ. I think this might be the key to personal Holiness- That is- setting aside all my efforts to separate from the the World and begin to focus on separating myself unto God- Fixing my eyes on the Holy One- Jesus Himself. Don't you just love Jesus- The way He Lived- His Compassion- His Strength- His Courage- His Goodness. Perfect Holiness- Perfect Love. In the end- Holiness means being like Jesus. Father God, move in me today to be Holy- to be like Jesus more and more- to do the things He did- To live out His Life in my world. Make me Holy. Amen