Should Christians be expected to be holy? Lately it seems we don't need to take that term seriously anymore. With some Christians, it seems like it's almost a four-letter word. To mention holiness, godliness, or purity seems to bring out accusations of legalism, fundamentalism and "throwing folks under buses". I don't know. Maybe with all the emerging ideas of Christian fellowship and faith, I'm just too old to understand these new-fangled ways and means of reaching the lost and living out my faith.
It seems that grace has so covered us all that we need not concern ourselves with what we say or do anymore. It doesn't matter how we treat fellow brothers and sisters. Yet, I just can't seem to get away from things like Peter brings up:
"So be done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind." 1 Peter 2:1.
"Like newborn babies you should crave the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation. Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord."vs 2
"Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away but which is chosen [and] precious in God's sight." vs.3
I'm certain that this side of heaven none of us will be perfect. But we have been given power over sin in our lives through the indwelling Spirit of God. Am I to believe that because of grace I am to ignore any passages which demand I examine myself in the light of His Word? That because of grace I am not accountable to anyone--God or man--to die to that part of me that rears its ugly head in search of evil-life? What kind of example am I to set for others? Is it really okay to settle for a 5-watt candle when I can be a 100-watt? Does it really not matter, anymore? What does Peter mean when he tells us to:
"[Come] and as living stones be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and well-pleasing to God through Christ Jesus." vs. 4.
Really. Just what does Peter mean when he says be "living stones yourselves built into a spiritual house, for a holy spiritual priesthood"? selahV
