A CALL TO HOLY LIVING

Purity is all about living a sanctified life. Sanctification means to be "set apart," to live a holy life definitely sets a person apart. I think one of the most interesting reactions I have received while sharing my thoughts on purity would have to be the idea that you only need to "remain pure" until you're married. My response was simply this, the enemy of our souls would love to see us fall or soil our Christian testimony. He is not going to give up on us once we're married. He will do everything he can to tempt us to stray from our husband, to be discontent, to be complacent and hurl us head long into an adulterous relationship. Purity most definitely does NOT end with marriage. It just takes on a whole new level of commitment. It requires we foster a thriving relationship with God, one that strengthens our marriage and love for our spouse. That's why the call to Holy Living is so important!

In 1 Peter 1:13-15 it is very specific "So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. But now, you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who CHOSE you is holy."

Further on in 1 Peter 2 it says, "So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy and all unkind speech...you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God." (1 Peter 2:1 & 5)

First of all, it is GOD who is building us into his spiritual temple, not ourselves. Secondly if I am a spiritual temple then I must treat that temple with the respect and dignity that reflects God. This means good stewardship from what I allow my mind to take in (i.e. TV, movies, books I read, magazines, etc.) to how I train, feed, care for my body, and most especially how I care for my spiritual life. It talks about offering spiritual SACRIFICES that please God. This pretty much tells me it's not going to be easy but then I also need to consider just how willing I am to make the effort and the sacrifice. Humanly speaking we are not prone towards sacrifice. We're too selfish. Sacrifice is something we can only accomplish through Him. "Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory." (1 Peter 1:21) Better yet, let's look at 1 Peter 2:21-25 "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.
He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.
BY HIS WOUNDS YOU ARE HEALED.
Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls."

His sacrifice calls us to Him, enables us to be forgiven and live a holy life, so why wouldn't we want to live it that way? For me it is summed up in one word...LAZY. I would rather sleep in than spend time with God. I would prefer to pinterest or facebook rather than take time to pour His Word into my heart and mind.
Transformation...holy living...sacrificial love don't come at the drop of a hat. They come with concentrated, intentional effort. What can we do to live holy lives? Maybe for the next 28 days we could search God's Word for direction and post scriptures on the Sanctified Sisterhood FB site that talk about and encourage us to Holy Living? It has been said it takes 28 days to create a habit. So let's work together and create a habit of Holy Living!!!