Tag Archives: holiness

May 2
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, NIV)

In the tug and pull of daily living, we are apt to forget how God feels about His children; but Paul offers to us this reminder: We are “holy and dearly loved.”

To be holy is to be like our heavenly Father, because He is holy — which is to say, “separate,” or “uncommon.” Separate, because we follow only our God. Uncommon, because the world doesn’t see many who live as we live: “[Clothed] with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

To accept that we are “dearly loved” is the fire of inspiration; it is the freedom to go beyond ourselves; it is the frame that informs and circumscribes all of our choices.

It is a rare and wonderful state to be holy and dearly loved by God; and that is us. Today. Live it!  – Luther

Tagged , ,
March 21
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“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 , , , ,
December 20
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV)

One of my favorite definitions of a cynic was offered by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), who said: “These days man knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing.”

As we approach the celebration of the birth of Jesus, some people see only a historical fact; when it is an “all in” commitment by God for the rescue of every person He had ever created.

On such occasions as this one — whether it be Easter, or the anniversary of our own birth — are we as cognizant of the value of God’s commitment to us as we are of the apparent “cost” of holiness?

Once we begin to grasp the meaning of the words of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. . .”, the value of God’s gift makes any price we might pay pale in comparison.   – Luther

Tagged , , ,
← Older posts
Newer posts →