Monday, March 2, 2009

2 Peter 3:1-18 "The Day of the Lord, Part 3"

Read 2 Peter 3:1-18

"... make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him." NIV
Earlier in verse 11-12 Peter says to live "holy and godly lives...." Holiness is being "spotless, blameless and at peace with him." It is "being on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men." Holiness is growing "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord...." But how do we do that?

So many try to accomplish holiness by striving for it. They work at banishing all forms of evil from their lives. They shun association with sinners so they will not rub off on them. They put on holy habits. Now some of this may be needed to be done, but holiness is more "being" than "doing." It's being surrendered to the Father's ways rather than my own. It's being less selfish to my own desires that cause temporary comfort and looking to be the person God designed me to be. Holiness is allowing, consciously allowing, the Holy Spirit to work through us. The "doing" part is obedience to that calling - whatever it may be. That's how we choose the right. That's how we guard our hearts from evil. And that's how we grove in grace and knowledge. Surrender. Letting go. Giving up. 

Further Thoughts:
  1. You may be resisting the idea of surrender. You want your own way in all things -- control. How's that working for you? Maybe if you try surrender, you will actually find the freedom and joy you've been seeking.
  2. Compare and contrast "holiness" and "surrender." Support with Scripture.
  3. Truly think this through. You may disagree with me. Is holiness "doing" or "being?"

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