Perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God - Proverbs 19-21 and II Corinthians 7
The Christian life is a war between the flesh and the Holy Spirit, who lives in every believer, until the believer gives in to the Holy Spirit and fully cooperates with Him in the process of becoming like Jesus. Most believers never get to that point, because of pride and an independent spirit. They want to live as close to sin as possible, when God's goal for us is to live as far from sin as possible. However, the greatest joys and fulfillment in life come, when a person experiences the abundant life, which comes from perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
When you read Proverbs, what is your goal? Are you trying to learn something or gain a new perspective on life? Is Proverbs just a lot of good advice or suggestions? I hope it is much more than that to you. I pray that we all see that the Lord gave us Proverbs, so we can become more like Jesus. Our goal should be to ask the Spirit to build all of this wisdom into our lives so we can be as free from sin as possible, and as much like Christ as possible. It is a question of character and actions. We should desire to have the character of Jesus, so we will do His will even when we are alone, and so we will obey Him everywhere we go. Read these chapters with that mindset, and see what the Lord says to you.
Then, in II Corinthians 7 we read about this holiness, too. Paul tells the Corinthian believers that he is glad that they had godly sorrow, when they read his severe letter to them. They not only were sorry for their sin, but they repented. There was a change of mind and of action in their lives. That is what God wants for us. He desires that we not just feel guilty for our sins, but that we get rid of them by drawing close to Him. That is the meaning of perfecting holiness. We become separated from the world and set apart to God for His service. We are truly different from those who do not know Christ, because we are becoming more like Jesus every day. We do this out of a great love and respect for God. We know He is worthy of our complete devotion. Thereis nothing greater than knowing Him and being like Him. I pray that is the lifestyle of each of us today and every day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 22-24 and II Corinthians 8.
When you read Proverbs, what is your goal? Are you trying to learn something or gain a new perspective on life? Is Proverbs just a lot of good advice or suggestions? I hope it is much more than that to you. I pray that we all see that the Lord gave us Proverbs, so we can become more like Jesus. Our goal should be to ask the Spirit to build all of this wisdom into our lives so we can be as free from sin as possible, and as much like Christ as possible. It is a question of character and actions. We should desire to have the character of Jesus, so we will do His will even when we are alone, and so we will obey Him everywhere we go. Read these chapters with that mindset, and see what the Lord says to you.
Then, in II Corinthians 7 we read about this holiness, too. Paul tells the Corinthian believers that he is glad that they had godly sorrow, when they read his severe letter to them. They not only were sorry for their sin, but they repented. There was a change of mind and of action in their lives. That is what God wants for us. He desires that we not just feel guilty for our sins, but that we get rid of them by drawing close to Him. That is the meaning of perfecting holiness. We become separated from the world and set apart to God for His service. We are truly different from those who do not know Christ, because we are becoming more like Jesus every day. We do this out of a great love and respect for God. We know He is worthy of our complete devotion. Thereis nothing greater than knowing Him and being like Him. I pray that is the lifestyle of each of us today and every day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 22-24 and II Corinthians 8.