Present Yourself, Holy

 

I heard a story recently about a congregation that hired a contractor to repaint their building steeple. When the painting began, it became apparent that the contractor had underestimated the amount of paint it would take to do the job. Whereupon he instructed his workers to thin the paint so there would be enough to finish the work. When the workers began using the thinned down paint there was a noticeable difference in the color. Even though it was a clear day, without a single cloud to be seen in the sky, there came a loud clap of thunder along with a voice from heaven saying, “Repaint! And thin no more!”

While we enjoy humorous stories such as this, there is a moral lesson here as well. God desires us to be honest, to do our very best, take no short-cuts, and be true to the commitments we have made. By doing these things and striving to be like Jesus, the world will be able to see Him in our lives and hopefully be receptive to the good news about our Savior. (Isaiah 33:15-16) “He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil; He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.” (Proverbs 12:22) “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) “…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” (Philippians 4:8) “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” (Colossians 3:23) “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men…” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.”

[Romans 12:1-2] “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Paul begins this very familiar passage by pleading with Christians to live daily for God upon the grounds of the immeasurable grace and mercy that has been shown to us. One great proof of God’s love is that He sent His only Son to die for us, paying our sin debt of death, then giving us a choice whether or not to follow Him, our Redeemer, Savior, knowing that most people would not obey. The plea is for followers of Christ to enter their living body into selfless service to the Lord. Every command from God requires our body, so those bodies must be “holy” – set apart for devotion to Him. We often stress, and rightly so, the need to offer authorized acts of worship to God. But it is equally important in God’s eyes that we offer our bodies and our lives as a kind of daily sacrifice for which He has asked. Christians should be set apart like “a city that is set on a hill” (Matthew 5:14), obvious to those who see you, so that they might “glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). This kind of life only comes through the renewing of the mind to the will of God. Thinking right is an essential beginning to doing right. Let your light shine the love of God.