"Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!"
1 Chronicles 16:29
As we enter the second week of the new year, I find myself reflecting on the holiness of God, and the implication of this very great virtue of God on my own life.
In Peter's first letter to the church, he reminds them, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”(1 Peter 1:15)
I can tell you truthfully that most days I'm deeply disappointed in my behavior. I fall so short of living a life that could in any manner be called "holy."
The good news is that when God looks upon me He sees the holiness of Christ. The day I received Christ's gift of salvation -- the gift that cost Him everything -- He covered me in His holiness. So that when God looks upon me He doesn't see me as a woman with a sinful past. He sees a woman who's a beautiful reflection of His Son. I can't fully get my head around this. And I am truly amazed and humbled by God's grace.
Now that the transaction has taken place, and I belong to Christ, I move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit. And it is this power that changes me and makes me more like my holy Jesus. Even if I don't see it myself, if I am surrendered to the Lord, then I can depend upon God to "complete the work He has begun in me." (Philippians 1:6). To conform me to the image of His holy Son.
My role in all this is to simply submit. To submit to God's authority and acknowledge His sovereignty over my life. To worship God in the beauty of Jesus' holiness. For it's the beautiful holiness of Jesus that makes my worship acceptable to God, and causes me to daily cultivate habits of holiness.
Today's music video The Beauty of Holiness by Steve Camp is a lovely song that I trust will lead each of us to worship our beautiful Savior.
I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.
💙 More than words can say.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, Sandi. :-)
DeleteThank you, Nancy. There is so much to grow into in our walk with our Lord. I thank God for his mercies and grace. Hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteAmen. His mercies are new every morning! Enjoy the new week, Ellen. xo
DeleteGod gives us this precious life and for that I give myself to him and am so thankful that he loves each and everyone of us. Happy Monday. May your week be blessed with an abundance of good and beautiful times. xoxo Kris
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday, Kris. I'm thankful, too, for this life. God bless you. xo
DeleteI think there are days we all fall short. The true beauty is, that now that we are saved we recognize it and want to do better. AND how wonderful that God's grace is there waiting for us. Happy Monday to you....have a great week.
ReplyDelete"God's grace is there waiting for us." I love that, Addie! xo
DeleteSuch wonderful words you've shared Nancy. His holiness is something I desire more every day, and how wonderful to know that we are covered in His blood, clothed in His righteousness and His spirit indwells us, to transform us. It is a process and like you, there are days I fall so very short, but it is a constant desire on our part to be holy, even as He is. Many blessings to you sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts, Marilyn. I'm so grateful for God's grace! xo
DeleteI too fall so short. What a blessing that God sees Christs sacrifice when He looks at us.
ReplyDeleteWhat would we do without Him, Mari? Have a great week. xo
DeleteI feel like I fail daily in living a holy life, but I also know that the important thing is that I'm trying to live a life pleasing to God and that He loves me anyway, because He knows I'm doing my best. I'm so grateful for the gift of His salvation.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and hugs,
Betsy
He does know how fragile we are, Betsy, and His grace is sufficient. Thanks for sharing! xo
DeleteOh, Nancy! This is just wonderful! I LOVE to study holiness. It is such a deep, rich topic and just draws me in. Oh, may we all live more holy in this new year! May we reach deeper depths and higher heights in Him and His beautiful holiness! I love and appreciate you so much, dear friend. Thank you for these precious words of encouragement each week.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling is mutual, Cheryl! Love you!
DeleteVielen Dank für die wunderbare Ermutigung, ein heiliges Leben zu führen. Aus eigener Kraft können wir dies niemals tun, aber mit Gottes Hilfe geht es.
ReplyDeleteEnglish Translation:
DeleteThank you for the wonderful encouragement to live a holy life. We can never do this on our own, but with God's help we can.
Karin, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Yes, all things are possible with God. Bless you.
Deutsche Ãœbersetzung:
Karin, vielen Dank, dass Sie Ihre Gedanken geteilt haben. Ja, bei Gott sind alle Dinge möglich. Gesundheit.