Transformation Tuesday: Be ye Holy as I am Holy
God’s word tells us in 1 Peter 1:13-19 (KJV):
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (13-19)
From here my mind wonders off to think of how holy my Savior is and how holy l not. search God’s word for more instruction just to find how self-centered I am; with selfish desires and the fulfillment thereof. Conviction feels my heart and I ponder on God’s love, his grace and how I long to be one with Him. Still yet I see this vassal that is so damaged with hurt and regret. I wonder how a holy God can use something so dirty and useless. How can the most high God take something so broken and make it into so something so beautiful. How can he do that?
Not only did I wonder how but why? I have not, nor can I ever do anything to deserve God’s love and grace. So why then would he give it to me? Why would He send his one and only Son to die for me? Those answers I may never find, except to know he is my creator, my Father, and just as I love my children, so much more does He love me. In Romans 5:8 we read: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” So here I see that God already saw my dirt and shame yet still loved me enough to send his Son to die for me. With that being told, why then would I not give my life to God as a living holy sacrifice? Why would it take so long for me to see the error my ways? An excuse I cannot find that would suffice my guilt. So I take God at his word and believe on Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” I rest on the truth of God’s word and I take hold of his refuge. I give to him completely all of myself and hope only in return to feel his presence in my life.
I think about the Ark of the Covenant. How only the high priest could carry it for it was the very presence of our holy God. God saw past that and wanted more for His people, and as such He gave His one and only son Jesus Christ as our living sacrifice for sin. God took something so perfect and clean to pay the price for my sins and my unrighteousness. God said he would make a covenant with me if I took him as my Lord and Savior. Wow what beautiful transaction, but more so, what a beautiful promise! I no longer have to go before a priest to get forgiveness of my sins. I now have direct access to my Holy Father. If that doesn’t move your spirit to Holy living I’m not sure what will.
I thank God for awakening my spirit and for showing me how holy and righteous He is. I understand that every day is a walk with him and as such is a day to lay my flesh down and pick up my cross to follow Him. I pray to find myself always at His feet ready to serve.
– Sis. Felicia Patterson
