Tag Archives: holiness

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV)

As a disciple of Jesus, do you think of yourself as chosen? Do you see yourself as a member of a royal priesthood; an intercessor between man and God? Do you consider yourself a citizen of a holy nation? To whom do you belong; are you God’s special possession?

On the average large American university campus, it would not be uncommon to encounter students who — outwardly — look like the stereotypical poor college student but are, in fact, heirs of family fortunes. It seems not to matter to them whether they are dressed-up or dressed-down, because it doesn’t change the facts of who they are or of their trajectory in life.

Peter’s words remind us of how God sees everyone — repeat — everyone who claims His name. Don’t sell yourself short, and remain mindful of the great gift God gave you when He “called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”  – Luther

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“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27, NIV)

Today, the second of two thoughts on religion’s value.

The pollutants of the world are many: Greed, envy, a preference for form over substance, and self over others; pride, a contentious attitude, a peculiar type of laziness about spiritual things. . .

Religion that motivates its adherents to be mindful of the low and the powerless is acceptable to our heavenly Father. Does your religion motivate you in that particular way?

Religion that preserves its disciple in every conceivable posture of life, despite the world’s pervasive influences, pleases God. Does your religion also keep you in that way?  – Luther

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“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21, NIV)

We each have a finite capacity for things. If we fill our lives with good things (and by “thing,” I mean intangibles, rather than tangibles), it will displace the bad, evil, and destructive attitudes, thoughts, and motives that take root within us.

Embrace God’s word as you would a life ring in deep water far from land: It can save you. Cultivate the word of God planted within you, through humble acceptance (obedience): It can save you.

Humble acceptance (obedience) of God’s word leads to salvation, security, and peace.  – Luther

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