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Tag Archives: holiness

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“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25-27, NIV)

A disciple is a follower. A disciple aspires to be exactly like his or her teacher. As Jesus is Truth, we must be scrupulously truthful — and everything else He is, including a cross-bearer. Anything less is not true discipleship. Anything else is not obedience.

A disciple is holy. The disciple’s holiness is measured in the points of similarity to his or her teacher; and in the degree of difference from the “common way” in his or her way of thinking (e. g. love for enemies, blessings for curses, concern for the poor, readiness to reconcile, etc. . .).

Today’s scripture takes us to the bedrock of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus: Holiness, obedience, and cross-bearing. – Luther

Tagged cross-bearing, discipleship, holiness, obedience, the book of Luke

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“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16, NIV)

Resist the temptation to allow others to redefine the hallmarks of Christian discipleship. The original definitions of who we are, and what we are to do, are found in God’s word and nowhere else.

Peter reminds the Christians that are scattered throughout what, today, is Asia minor that while they may reside in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, and other locales with cultures and customs that may be peculiar or even hostile; above all, they are to reflect “in all you do” the holiness of the God who called them.

Generally, the word “holiness” has been redefined to mean something that is less than desirable because it distinguishes one from the masses. However, the disciple should never let his or her choices be determined by the crowd or the circumstance — only by the Christ within us. This does not come to us naturally. It comes with practice, patience, and the grace that God provides.

It is through this simple act of obedience by God’s scattered people that those who know not God catch their first glimpse of what it means to “of God.” We need not be anything more. We dare not be anything less. The next step is the Holy Spirit’s to make.

All humanity echoes the words of St. Augustine of Hippo who wrote: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” – Luther

Tagged Christian discipleship, holiness, the book of 1 Peter

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“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (James 3:9-10, NIV)

When I read today’s scripture, I think of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, who famously wrote these words for Linus: “I love mankind. . . It’s PEOPLE I can’t stand!!”

Yet, “people” bear God’s image and likeness — the same image and likeness imprinted within each one of us.

When tempted to curse others, do you see a reflection of yourself; do you see the image and likeness of our Lord and Father? To see others (and ourselves) as God sees is the antidote for unkind words, and judgmental attitudes. – Luther

Tagged holiness, judging others, the book of James