The Questions Begin

Does God really expect us to be holy? What does holiness look like? If we are to be "holy" or set apart what does it look like? What are we set apart from? Why are we to be holy? What does it look like to be holy? How important is holiness? Can I be holy? These are just a small sampling of the questions that have been running through my head for the last month. I stumbled across a verse that I had overlooked numerous times in 1Peter where God is instructing us to be holy like He is holy. I probably had consciously decided to overlook this verse because upon reading it there would have to be action on my part. Ignorance is much easier to swallow than conviction. If I read this verse and choose to not respond am I any different than the Pharisees of Christ days? any different than the hypocrites of today? Does my faith become hollow and empty? The questions keep coming.

We tend to define holiness by the things we are doing that are "right". We care for people, we feed the poor, we help old ladies across the street, and we do not kick our dogs around. I am not quite sure if this is holiness though. Maybe humanitarians but not sure if that qualifies as holiness. I think holiness is a much deeper issue than just being good. God didn't just say be nice to people because I am nice to you. Be holy as I am holy is what He said. It probably would have been nice to have a checklist on "how to be holy" and I am sure with a quick search there have been several books written on just that. A checklist tho would have been nothing more than a way to become legalist, not holy. We would become good or bad at following rules but not holy. So where do we start?

Holiness is NOT following rules or even something that can be seen in our physical actions. It is the state of our heart. If we are to pursue holiness it is to pursue the ways of Jesus/God. Pursuing the very essence of God in EVERY aspect of our lives. We are not separating ourselves from the world but setting ourselves a part so God can have His way with us. Holiness must penetrate our every though. We tend to categorize or classify our lives in different spheres. First we classify it in right or wrong things, good or bad. Remember scripture tells us all our "good" deeds are like filthy rags. We separate our movies, music and lives into our church and regular, or Christian and secular. God does not draw the same line. ALL things were created by Him, for Him.

Our holiness is not rooted in ourselves but in a Holy God that desires so much more for us. As we pursue holiness we should also realize a deeper need to depend on Christ setting us apart to accomplish this. Pursue with me!

The Quest for Holiness

Ever been thirsty? Not just wanting a drink but so parched that you couldn't quench your thirst?When you are willing to drink almost anything and not sure if you will ever get enough to drink? What a feeling it is to finally get a drink and relief.

In 1 Peter it tells us to be holy like God is holy. I say I want this but my actions don't always match up. In theory it sounds amazing but is that all it is? A theory? When I am thirsty I crave a drink. Just something to drink, doesn't have to be sweet tea, root beer, or pomegranate juice. Anything wet will do; luke-warm water will work as long as it is wet. Why can't I place the same expectations on my pursuit of holiness? Wait...why don't I thirst for holiness like I do for a drink?

There is something in us that tells us there is suppose to be more to following Jesus than getting up early once a week to sing some songs and pray for each other. But what is it? Where is the formula? Where is the outline or 7 steps to achieve holiness? Why do I settle for seeing God but not personally tasting Him? I wouldn't just look at the drink but rather I would savor every drop.

Is it a matter of discipline? There are books and scholars who suggest that with proper discipline you begin to prefer holiness, I haven't experienced that result. I am pretty convinced it has little to do with discipline. I do not think that making it a part of a routine is the answer either. I think our pursuit of holiness is directly connected to our willingness to sacrifice. What if our attempt to be holy is directly impacted by our willingness to sacrifice the "good" things in life to be holy? Are we willing to sacrifice? Are we willing to push each other? Or are we willing to settle? Would we be willing to sacrifice something each week for the next three months to crave holiness?

I want to thirst for holiness!

Amazing Grace

I have sung this song so many times and every time I sing it I still get a lump in my throat. There are a few songs that do this to me no matter how many times I sing them. Maybe this is because these song remind me of the true condition of my heart. It is easy to tell some one to trust God but when faced with the curve balls of life I seem to try to take control. This blog will chronicle my quest to pursue holiness as I desperately crawl through life struggling for answers.