Tag Archives: holiness

November 15
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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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November 4
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“Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.” (Hebrews 12:9-10, NIV)

God’s plan for you and me is that we become like Him.  This state is called “holiness,” and it was what God had in mind when He created us “in His image and after His likeness.” (Genesis 1:26a)  Through the heritage of sin, we fall short of our original destiny.

God is at work in us (always) through our circumstances (all of them) for our good. We aid the process through obedience to God. We hinder God’s work in us when we delay, debate, or detour.

How do we know when to get involved — or when to get out?

It begins with our full commitment to do whatever it is that God spirit leads us to do; and full confidence in our heavenly Father’s plan for us.  – Luther

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October 7
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“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20, NIV)

Today’s verse is taken from a larger scripture passage (Philippians 3:1-21) where Paul addresses the challenges — and the frustrations — in aspiring to live a holy life in the midst of corruption.

We tend to think of corruption as a synonym for evil.  It is not.

Corruption occurs in any instance where some thing’s (or someone’s) true form or function is shaped or used for a lesser purpose. For example, using a kitchen knife as a screwdriver is a corruption of the design and purpose of the knife. The knife will do the job of driving a screw, but often with permanent damage to the knife tip.  Better to just use the correct tool for the job, right?

We bear the signs of corruption in our body and mind. We are in physical decline, although we have immortal souls. We dream of heaven’s eternal glories, yet we toil for the trinkets of time. We are citizens of heaven, but we live under the laws of earth. God did not create us for this!

The solution to our corruption is the Savior. His advent will end our exile. In the meantime, wait — and work — in faithfulness toward that day.  – Luther

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