Holiness

...but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:17-18 ESV

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NIV

Now there’s a scary word to the Christian who is trying hard to live their life for Jesus, to the best of their ability, and we think we don’t measure up. Here’s a thought, we don’t measure up to the holiness of God, but is that what it’s all about?

We don’t serve an unreasonable God and that is something we need to hold on to. Look at the verses in Romans and Hebrews, do they show a hard line from an uncaring God? We are given all the tools to live right by God, but we need to be serious about our part. I find great comfort that the peak of holiness is covered in the words, “If possible, so far as it depends on you”, and “Make every effort… to be Holy”.

We can’t and don’t have to be as Holy as God. He doesn’t ask that from us, but He does ask us to try our best to STRIVE towards Holiness, and live a Godly life. This IS possible for us to do, and put like that, it isn’t so scary after all, is it?

Charity

“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” - Augustine

‘Charity’ is one of those old words we don’t use very much now, but it has a wealth of significant meaning, especially for the faithful Christian. It is mostly translated as ‘love’ in the Bible, and who doesn’t know the love chapter of 1st Corinthians 13? Jesus also told us to love one another, as we love ourselves, and as He has loved us. We can’t dodge it, we have to show charity, or in other words to love one another.

The other meanings of ‘charity’ would be ‘concern’, ‘caring’, ‘looking for the best’, ‘welfare’, ‘goodness’, and in each case it involves the initial parts of falling in love. Can you remember the time when you started to notice the woman who would become your wife? All your thoughts, feelings and emotions were only for her good, and aimed at the one who would become your love. Is it stretching it too far to suggest that if you say you act in love, but don’t have the caring heart needed up front to support it, then this kind of love is only a part time feeling, and maybe even a sham?

Augustine nailed it when he suggests that in all things we must have charity, or love. It tops essentials and non-essentials every time, and is based on sound Scripture. Perhaps we could all do with some more good old fashioned charity.

A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1 (AMP)

Chain (re)Action

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 1 Corinthians 1:3,4

We have a comforting and gracious God, who knows when to step in and give us His peace. When that happens we are happy to be on the receiving end, and just take. In fact, we will take any kindness that’s going, from God or anyone else. But should it stop there? Not as far as this passage is concerned.

Paul turns it on its head, and tells us to pass on God’s comfort to others. Take a moment and think. God gives comfort to us, but we are to give that same comfort away. It’s still active and real and effective when we give it to others. It’s every bit as effective as when God gave us HIS comfort. This is a chain reaction.

Will you be the one to break the chain? The old saying goes, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link” and this is true in this case too. We are being reminded that we are not just to be takers. We must be givers too if we are to reflect the likeness of God into the lives of those around us who are hurting. Let’s face it, the words of the song, “Everybody needs compassion” are so true. Can you remember the Blessing you felt when you passed on a smile, a word, a card, a phone call to someone else? Will you be a part of the chain of Christian comfort, love and compassion, or will you be the weakest link? I pray we are all up to the challenge to keep the chain strong!