2 Peter 1:3-4;2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Holy Living

My devotions for the day included this passage in 2 Peter. "Live a holy life before the Lord." It is a word which speaks to my heart and God seems to be speaking to His people in this day. I've heard it from the mouth of several of His ministers lately. What a tragedy that the same statistics of divorce in the world are also true for the church, except for one group. Those who gather statistics indicate that when husbands and wives pray together the divorce rate crashes to 1 in thousands! (I confess I don't remember the exact figure). What a difference! When we pray, when we "lay hold of God's grace for our lives" (2 Corinthians 6:1), we find a transforming power that carries us to moral and spiritual victory.

So why is it that believers (sic!) "fail the grace of God" You would think that we, above all, would value God's undeserved favor, merit and power. Could that be it? Could it be that we don't comprehend how woefully ignorant we are, how sin sick are our own ideas and plans? Do we prefer our own ways, lifestyle and plans to His?

Spurgeon writes:

"If you be indeed the chosen of God, and beloved by him, do not suffer all the lavish treasure of grace to be wasted upon you. Follow after holiness; it is the Christian's crown and glory. An unholy church! it is useless to the world, and of no esteem among men. It is an abomination, hell's laughter, heaven's abhorrence. The worst evils which have ever come upon the world have been brought upon her by an unholy church. O Christian, the vows of God are upon you. You are God's priest: act as such. You are God's king: reign over your lusts. You are God's chosen: do not associate with Belial. Heaven is your portion: live like a heavenly spirit, so shall you prove that you have true faith in Jesus, for there cannot be faith in the heart unless there be holiness in the life."

"Lord, show us the truth about ourselves and about you. Help us to see that our ways, plans, and preferences are to be despised when compared to the holiness you offer. Let us turn always to you and seek your grace ever offered. Empower us to receive it and employ it that we might live as your people, set apart for your purposes and living in your rich grace. Amen."

Bob Goldsby

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City Harvest Church Vancouver, WA