A call to holiness

Every year our family puts out our major Christmas decoration- a large lit up cross on the front of our home, and it was time to put it away for next year. As I was taking it inside I noticed my shadow; it looked like I was walking out Matthew 16:24: "Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." 

I looked at my shadow for a bit and sadness filled my heart. All throughout 2020 I have seen too many people who call themselves Christian's fall away from the faith, teach wrong doctrine or were condemned of crimes. It grieves me! Then you have Christian's of different or the same denomination arguing about silly things and not focusing on the gospel.

How many people are really taking up their cross and following Jesus? How many people are taking 

1 Peter 1:15-16 seriously that says: "15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

My brother or sister, don't you know that we are supposed to look different! If we are going around looking like the world and no one can tell that we are Christian's then we are doing something wrong. We are called to be lights and not to hide the light. We are called to be salt. The taste we leave should be noticeable and not blend in with society's flavor. Just look and see what Matthew 5:13-16 says: 

"13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[b] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

There has been false doctrines preached and too much compromise in the church for far too long. I understand that there are some issues that seem gray and you have to seek the Lord's will for yourself on the matter; however, the Bible is crystal clear on many issues people are struggling with today!

Let me give you two examples:

Sex is only to be had inside the confines of marriage. 

" 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." Hebrews 13:4

We are told to guard our heart and to be careful of what our eye gates take in, so watching tv, movies and listening to music with bad language is not good for the Christian life. 

Would you watch that show/movie or listen to that music with Jesus sitting next to you? Because He is...

"Keep your heart with all vigilance,

    for from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23

"Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

    and give me life in your ways. Psalm 119:37

Living out a Christian life doesn't have to be complicated! A lot of people have put extra rules and conditions that aren't in the Bible. Read the Word-the Bible for yourself and see how we are called to live. When you are a Christian you have the Holy Spirit living in you and He will help you live a life of holiness; you don't have to walk it on your own.

" But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." John 14:26

We also have our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us along and keep us accountable. 

"Brothers,[a] if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:1-2

"Iron sharpens iron,

    and one man sharpens another."

Proverbs 27:17

Again, I repeat the title of this blog, "this is a call to holiness." If you are a Christian you have made Jesus the Lord of your life. Let us go back to living for God and not being ashamed of it! Let us go back to our first love and live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Be blessed, beloveds.

" Only let your manner of life be worthy[h] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, "

Philippians 1:27