The list of things I know for certain is short, but I know this: I am not holy.
I hear Peter’s charge to “be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15) as he echoes the Lord’s words to “be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44), and I feel the gravitational pull of defeat. Because it doesn’t seem to matter how much I want to be holy. (And trust me—I really, really want to be holy). There aren’t twelve steps I can take to become holy. There aren’t bootstraps big enough to pull me up toward the perfection of God. There’s no self-help guide to blamelessness. If personal holiness is up to me, it begins to feel like an impossible equation.
There are times when I get fed up with chronically missing the mark. I want to be holy because God is holy, but instead find myself broken because the world is broken. I was having one of these fed-up moments while driving down the highway recently. In my frustration I cried out to the Lord, praying, “How long, Lord, until I become like you?!”
This phrase came to mind; “In a moment.”
For a nanosecond I worried I was about to hit a semi head on, because I know I will not fully become like Christ this side of heaven. But no collision came. My heart was simply recalling the gospel hope I cling to. Scripture tells us that when Christ returns, we will be changed “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52).
Peter isn’t tasking us with a moral standard our broken selves can never attain. He’s preaching the gospel. We can’t hear it too often. He reminds us of what’s truest about us as Christ-followers:
For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers,
not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ,
like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb (1 Peter 1:18–19).
Yes, I am broken as my parents were broken.
My children are broken, as I am broken.
You are broken, as all people are broken.
But that is not our story, and it’s not our identity.
Our brokenness and Christ’s holiness are two sides of the same gospel coin. And so we need to stop staring at our failed attempts at holiness. We need to flip the coin over, and instead gaze with wonder anew at the gospel of grace. Again, we cannot do it too often.
My power over sin rests not in me, but in the one who burst forth from the grave (v.21), the “holy, holy, holy” One (Revelation 4:8). I am holy, because Christ is holy, and I am hidden in Him (Colossians 3:3). Yes, my flesh is broken. But praise be to God, “All flesh is like grass and its glory like the flower of grass” (1 Peter 1:24).
But the holiness of God is mine forever.
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72 thoughts on "A Call to Holy Living"
What a beautiful devotional! It will happen “in a moment”! Wow! I can’t wait!
Verse 22 Having purified your souls…. How? By your obedience to the truth!
Jasmin,
Jesus chose you right where you are. He knows your heart and loves you unconditionally. You cannot earn His grace or love. He just loves you. You are His daughter…the daughter of a king❤️
I desire so much to be Holy but the brokenness in me is overwhelming. Praying today will be a day I can more fully understand His grace and Glory.
I Needed this!
Knowing that God is so merciful, allows me to be remember that I am his child and he knows I sin— yet he loves me still
We need God to be holy because He is holy. Not by our own strebgth nor by might, it’s our obedience to Him
This body I live in is as a filthy rag, but my spirit reaches out to receive the covering of the shed blood of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.
Thank God that I don’t have to try and muster up my own holiness. I am so thankful that God is the one who makes me holy. Also, when I fall short, God’s grace is there.
My girls group just read through an amazing book about holiness. It’s a lofty concept to grasp when we’re inundated by the brokenness of the world. But we as women of God are called to be changed by the renewing of our mind to be more like Jesus through pursuing holiness in all we do! Check out the book “Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges
Amen
I would love any prayers you all could offer. I’ve been struggling with debilitating panic attacks for over a year now and can get no relief. I’ve done everything and nothing is working
Praying for you! I have been seeing a wonderful Christian counselor and it has helped me.
Kelsey you are so so loved ❤️ God has a plan for you through these attacks. God allows us to be tested so that our faith may be strengthened! We shall REJOICE in the midst of trials, we shall count them as JOY, for He is making us more like Him ❤️ May the Lord watch over you as you walk through these days! He will make your TEST your future TESTIMONY!
Kelsey, I too have struggled with debilitating panic attacks. I am still struggling and as I sit here today going through this devotional I am flooded with traumatic memories of horrible panic attacks and it makes me want to give up and not go anywhere or do anything. It has been an extremely hard fight and often I have wondered why God was letting me suffer like this. I know what it feels like to feel as though so much joy and happiness and almost a part of yourself has been stolen from you. I just want you to know that I get it and know how hard it is to keep and focus on your faith in this particular trial. After a rough counseling appointment one day I was sitting in the store parking lot and couldn’t breath and was bawling crying out to God and asking him why this was happening to me and if this was really going to be the story of my life. As I said that I heard a sweet but strong whisper “I’ve already won”. God had already won the battle. That means he has won the battle against our anxiety and panic attacks. If he can conquer death and save the world he can conquer our anxiety. Praying for you Kelsey❤️
Have you tried EMDR? It’s a treatment for PTSD, it involves no drugs. It is a therapy that miraculously reconnects the to halves of the brain so that the painful memories stuck in your short term memory are put in the right place. I had this treatment this year, alongside prayer and wonderfully supportive family, church family and workplace, my life is transformed.
I just moved to a new city, new country to pursue my masters. And I have struggled for a long time to get back on the path of intentionally praising God, reading His word and spending time daily to know Him more. I was too engrossed in my school work and feeling sorry for myself as I adjusted to a new system that I didn’t look up to see what a blessing and gift He has given me to see His works in action
I am grateful daily and pray to trust in Him fully
In Hebrew ‘holy’ means ‘set apart for God.’ If we are being told to ‘ Be holy as He is holy’ then we can and should be holy. It’s a command. How are you set apart for God? Abide in Messiah. Abide means obey him and his Word. How does one do that? Well, since I believe Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God, then all of what is written in the Scriptures -all of it – is for reproof and training in righteousness. Am I holy? Yes. Why? Because I am set apart for God by keeping and obeying His commandments like the Sabbath, celebrating the Lord’s holy days like Passover and Tabernacle, and not eating unclean foods. Of course all of those things have been taught by men that they are done away with, but that’s not what Jesus says in Matthew 5. So, we put aside the commandments of God for traditions of men and remain stuck in sin and unholiness. Oh, and I trust in Jesus for my eternal life! Sin according to 1 John 3:4 is breaking God’s commands. Since the only Scriptures Jesus had to teach from was the Old Testament, Torah and Prophets, sin would be breaking those commands found in those books. Sure I sin, but that doesn’t mean I’m no longer holy because I confess my sin, am forgiven and move forward in righteousness. In addition, holiness and sanctification are the same thing. Jesus says, “Sanctify them by your Word; your Word is truth.” Only when we begin to see that much of what we do isn’t in line with the commandments will we truly be holy AND stop sinning and John says that IS possible. So, ‘Be sanctified as He is sanctified” through the power given you in the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead.
I fail God daily. But, that’s not my story and it’s not my identity! How refreshing is that? Lord you don’t need me and somehow you want me! Try as we might to be holy perfection like God we fail. But we fail to the flesh. In Gods return we will become holy and we will rid ourselves of this flesh! Oh to be like you, Lord.. to be like you.
So true of a statement…I want to be holy because our God is Holy but instead I find myself broken because the world is broken. That is when I am looking at the world instead of the Lord. So I stand on the truth….I am Holy, because Christ is holy. PTL I am hidden in HIM…. But the Holiness of God is mine forever…
Yes, thank you God that we are hidden in Christ!
Just need a few prayers today. Struggling with finding boundaries and staying to true to my spirit and not giving into my flesh. It’s so easy to step back into your old habits. And you think you can do it alone but you can’t. You need accountability and prayers from strong women in Christ.
Praying with you Chelsea.
Thank you God for relieving that burden of trying to be perfect for you! You know my imperfections and that I fail, yet to still give me boundless mercy and love! I pray to share this with others through your words and actions every day!
Such good news that the holiest of holies calls us his own
We are all broken, “but that’s not our story, it’s not our identity.” Wow. I know I am so guilty of focusing on my brokenness like it is my identity. I need to remember I have been saved, I am forgiven, and all will be washed away. Thank you God for loving me!
I am broken. I can never glue all my pieces back together to make myself perfect and whole. But God. He is holy. Holy. Perfect. Blameless. But He is merciful. And He gives grace. He draws me. And changes me. To be more like Him as I depend on Him
“your faith and hope are in God” I would love to have your prayers today as I am inclined to believe I am pregnant. I have no proof but some symptoms which are backed up by science, however I have 4 more days to wait till a pregnancy test would be accurate. It’s silly that I get anxious both about being pregnant and about not being pregnant, for either one is no issue to me. My faith and hope are in God, but because I’m getting more excited with each day, I don’t want ito be depressed if I don’t end up being pregnant, as truly either outcome is fine, I’ve been praying for God’s timing for pregnancy since the new year. I want to let go of the strong emotions I’m placing into this wait, and be at peace having faith both that God will cause me to be pregnant when his timing is right, and hope that my feelings are founded and I am pregnant now, but hope in him, not in the emotionally charged fantasy of being pregnant.
I’m reminded of this song: https://youtu.be/j5qc0EcNgqw. Yes, we need to fix our eyes upon Jesus! There was a great post about this on Instagram. I was trying to find it. I thought it was from Proverbs 31. I also just read a reminder. He is our Defender, Redeemer, the Lifter of our Heads, and sings over us! How awesome is He!!!
Amen
Jerry Bridges wrote great books about being holy and godly. I’m working through The Practice of Godliness in a Sunday school class now. We did The Pursuit of Holiness a year ago. Both are highly recommended. It has shifted my perspective and, more than that, my faith with action. There’s so much more to this life that we miss often.
Betsy and Carolyn, YES!
I feel like so often we buy into the facts of our life. We know where we’ve messed up and we see the facts. But TRUTH. That’s something different. The bible says we ARE a new creation. The old has passed away. The bible says we are spotless and pure because of the blood of Jesus. It’s done! Yes, we can read the facts as other than. But the truth says we are holy. I’m so tired of believing the facts when Jesus’ blood was shed for me to live in the truth. I am holy. We, as Christians, are holy. Bought and paid for by the most precious blood of Jesus.
We are all broken people, but through God’s amazing grace we are made whole!!!
My brokenness & God’s Grace are like 2 sides of a coin – I love this metaphor reminding us that just a quick flip & we have God’s love & grace – forever available & connected. Blessings sisters xx
‘If personal holiness is left up to me, it’s an impossible equation’
Such a simple statement that I originally read as defeat, but then when I read it again found so much peace in. I by myself cannot be holy. It doesn’t happen when I flip a switch or over night. “In a moment” is when change happens. If I stopped dwelling on not being holy on my own and start focusing on my God is Holy, my God wants me to be holy. I can be holy through Him
❤️❤️❤️
Amen! It is by His strength not by ours alone…by choosing to trust in Him fully, we are Holy because He is Holy.
I understand it’s easier said than done but trusting Him is the way
Wow! So powerful today. Thank you Erin and wise ladies.
Christ died to save us from our sin, not to save us in our sin. When Peter said that we should be holy, he’s saying that we should strive for holiness. We must daily choose to live for Jesus, and make the right choices. Yes we make mistakes, but don’t think of yourself as a failure! Your not! You are a new creature in Christ Jesus! Is your passion Christ? Is your desire to be a follower of Jesus? Live accordingly. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.”
Psalms 37:23-24 KJV
This is a promise. Keep God accountable to it. Being holy is not some unattainable goal. It’s a lifestyle. It’s choosing to live a set apart life. It’s choosing to be an example to the world what it means to be a servant of King Jesus!
Kathy, prayers for you and your family during these difficult weeks but I see Christ in you that you can share your “living hope” with us here.
Erin, thank you for sharing that you are not holy. Me either but I am grateful for the one who is. Thank You Lord that my identity is found in You and Your holiness covers me.
Where you find grace you will find holy people.
Maybe we need to be who we are, because we can be and we are – holy.
diane
Gaze with wonder anew at the gospel of grace.
Fixing our gaze on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
We are redeemed from our empty way of life.
Our faith and hope are in God.
We are purified by our obedience to the truth.
We are to love one another constantly.
Praying for you Kathy and your family and for all the beautiful women of this community.
Thank you Erin for another wonderful devotion.
v. 14 “…do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance.” There is so much in my “former ignorance” that I still cling to, that I trust in, that keep me conformed to this world. Anything that competes for God’s position in my life will keep me from living wholly for Him.
Lord, help me to recognize those things for what they are, not to be cherished or valued, but just “things of this world” that You use to influence and guide me to Yourself.
So good! Thanks, Erin!
“Set your hope completely”! Not a little, not after I’ve tried everything else, not along with a bunch of self-help methodologies– no, our hope is in Christ alone!
To be holy in all your conduct… I read that and think failure! He is holy… and the Holy God Almighty loves me. Now I feel better. ❤️
Just this week I had one of those moments where I was so frustrated with myself for a recurring mindset about something that I can’t seem to let go. . . . And that’s it–I can’t let go, but Christ can and will conquer that sin as I confess and repent. I don’t fight alone. None of us as believers, fight alone.
Kathy, I am so sorry to hear about your mom.
May you rest in God’s love and care for you
in the days ahead.
I am struck by 1 Peter 1:17: “Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one’s works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning”- particularly “conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning”. I will strive to live my life like that each day, with God’s grace and strength.
I praise God that He will complete the good work that He has begun in me, and that when the Father looks on me, He not only sees me as I am, but as I will be.
Kathy- praying for you and your family. I pray you can take comfort in knowing your mom is with the Lord and no longer suffering. May you know the love and comfort of the Holy Spirit.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-become-holy1/%3famp
The holiness of God is difficult to fathom. And then the holiness he calls us to seems unobtainable. But HE sanctifies us. He makes us holy. He is holy and as we follow him we become holy. It’s not something I need to conjure up. I simply need to seek Him and his holiness and I will become more holy. I am no longer overwhelmed by my own sinful humanity but drawn to the holiness of God. He is holy, He longs for me to be holy, and I can be holy simply by knowing Him more. He makes me clean, he makes me holy. I could never do it on my own. Only Christ in and through me makes me holy. Thank you, Jesus!
Holiness is internal,
at our core.
Much like eye color is a part of our DNA,
we see the blue, hazel, green or brown when they are opened.
Holiness,
the God seed
planted in us by Jesus
cultivated and grown through the Holy Spirit
Recognized in our attitude and actions
Hopes and dreams.
Holiness,
a race I am in,
a goal I long to cross,
in a race that has already been won,
on a very different cross
championed by the Son of God
Desiring to walk so closely behind Jesus, our Rabbi, that the dust from His sandals is found on me.
Beautiful ❤️
Grateful to have this reading this morning ♥️
Praying for you today Kathy. May God bless you with peace of heart and mind as you travel through this journey of grief. I pray that you will find many sweet memories along the way that you can cherish forever. Know that Jesus walks with you, every step of your day.
One more comment – this is a note I have written in my Bible about verse 20. “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last time for the sake of you.”
“It’s difficult to grasp the reality of ‘before the foundation of the world’ but there was indeed a time before the Earth existed. And it’s even wilder to realize that before ‘In the beginning, God created…’ ever happened, ‘Surely I am coming soon’, had already been set in motion.’in the beginning was the Word’. The word was Jesus – He was God and He was with God in the beginning. Jesus was never Plan B. He was always Plan A. He is the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together.”
Also what’s amazing to me is that in eternity past the son was hidden in the blossom of the father. Jesus was and is so precious to God and still he chose to send him to save us. The perfect lamb
Wednesday, Feb. 6 my mom went to be with Jesus. She was surrounded by her family and now is at peace, no longer struggling with Parkinson’s. On Thurs, Feb. 7, I found out I had the flu. The last two weeks have not been easy, to say the least.
My heart is shattered, but here’s the thing – I have a “living hope”. I know where my Mom is. And, I am so thankful for that. My prayer is that as I walk this path of grief that people will look at me and say, “there is a woman well-loved by her Heavenly Father.” I want my walk and my talk to reflect the holiness of Christ. Because He is holy, I am holy.
Please keep my family in your prayers. I love this community of sisters. It is such a comfort knowing that so many of you are praying.
Be blessed today.
I’m so sorry to hear about you mom and I’ll pray for you! I just want to say though, your faith is absolutely beautiful and I’m so astounded by your steadfast faith in our Lord! Remember you are strong, beautiful and oh so loved. I’m sure everywhere you go people will see the holiness in you during this broken season!
Kathy so glad you can have a beautiful celebration of life for your mom. Praying for you and hoping the flu will not slow you down. I am learning so much from all of you. I really had never thought of God only having a plan. Thanks so much for that since I always have both plan A & B. You are a joy to be around and I am positive your mom is extremely proud of you. Moms are so special it really hurts when they are gone. I always tell people I believe it has to do with how God chose the umbilical cord to link us together in our miracle of birth. We serve an Amazing God. He breathes life into us as we inhale at birth and we sigh the sound of ‘Yahweh’ as we exhale our last breathe. God is in everything. ✝️
Kathy, I’m so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family.
Kathy, I’m so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family.
Kathy….my sweet momma passed away a year ago March 11. It was sudden and unexpected and the grief as a 35 year old mother of 4….was and still is strong. Your thoughts and attitude is on point. Constantly relying on Christ and his strength and through that you become a light for people to see what He is doing through you in moments of great grief.
My prayers will be with you.
Dear Kathy, losing your mom is the worst, second only to losing a child. I’ve experienced both. That said, the Everlasting Arms are carrying you and yours. I pray for your physical healing (hope you got some Tamiflu) and for the comfort and love of our Lord to surround you and heal your heart. It takes time and rejoice in the vulnerability you are experiencing. Sometimes He is the closest during these times. Sending you love.
Believing with you that you will exemplify our Heavenly Father. May you sense His comfort in these times and draw near to Him as He will draw near to you.
Hi Kathy ♥️ it is so nice to meet you and God bless your soul. I want to pray over you in this moment, in Jesus Name, that our Perfect Heavenly King pour His sacred blood over us. That He continue to bless you with the wisdom that you already reflect having. That He hold you so tight until His second coming. That you feel the lightness of His burden that He calls us to carry rather than carrying our own. I pray that He fills you with love and light for the life He gave, not only your mom, but you and your loved ones. The story continues and it will continue for eternity because we have believed that He is the living Son of God, our God is three, and He loves us so much that He became flesh to save us from the cruelty of this world. I pray that you push forward with a new living hope and that you rest solely on His strength and not your own. In Jesus Name I pray all of this to be done today and for the rest of your life here on earth. Amen.
Amen!
“Set your hope completely…”
“The word of the Lord endures forever.”
I can set my hope on many things but only one is lasting.
Inverting the sentence here helps me to see what this message is trying to help me understand. “Because Christ is holy, I am holy.” What a powerful truth to face today. “Because Christ, I….”. I think flipping the dependent clause to the beginning of the sentence doesn’t change the meaning if the sentence but it certainly changes my focus. After all I am dependent on Christ for everything. Today I will put Christ first, not just in my sentence but in all I do. “Because Christ, I.”