How can we live as "called to be holy" in today's world? Rooted in 1 Corinthians 1:2 “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints, together with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.” The Meaning of “Called to Be Holy” • Holiness means being set apart for God’s exclusive use (Leviticus 20:26). • God’s own character is the standard: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15–16) • This calling covers every arena of life—thoughts, words, actions, relationships. Our Position and Our Pursuit • Position: Already “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:2). • Pursuit: “Pursue … holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) • We live out on earth what is already true of us in heaven. Daily Alignment with God Romans 12:1–2 lays out a pattern: 1. Present your body as a living sacrifice. 2. Refuse conformity to this age. 3. Be transformed by renewing the mind. Practical ways: • Begin each day surrendering plans and desires to Christ. • Evaluate habits, entertainment, and speech under the light of Scripture. • Replace secular thinking with God’s truth by steady Bible intake (John 17:17). Guarding the Mind in a Digital Age • Filter content: “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.” (Psalm 101:3) • Use social media to build up, not tear down (Ephesians 4:29). • Schedule regular “unplugged” times for prayer and Scripture meditation. • Memorize verses to counter temptation (Psalm 119:11). Walking by the Spirit, Not the Flesh • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) • Dependence, not mere willpower: ask the Spirit for strength before entering known battle zones. • Cultivate Spirit-produced fruit—love, joy, peace, etc.—as visible evidence of holiness (Galatians 5:22–23). Shining as Lights in a Dark World Philippians 2:15 calls us to be “blameless and pure … shining as lights.” We do this by: • Integrity at work or school—refusing dishonesty even when it costs. • Compassion in action—serving the needy (James 1:27). • Verbal witness—speaking of Christ when He opens doors (1 Peter 3:15). • Distinct priorities—investing time and money in eternal things (Matthew 6:19–21). Strength in Community • “Let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24–25) • Commit to a Bible-teaching church for accountability and encouragement. • Invite trusted believers to ask hard questions about your walk. • Practice forgiveness and unity; holiness thrives in peace (Colossians 3:12–15). Grace-Fueled Obedience • “The grace of God has appeared … instructing us to deny ungodliness … and live … godly lives in the present age.” (Titus 2:11–12) • Grace not only saves—it trains. • When we stumble, we confess quickly (1 John 1:9) and rise again by grace. Keeping Our Eyes on Eternity • “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3) • Remembering Christ’s imminent return motivates present holiness. • Future glory empowers present faithfulness. Summary Steps for Today • Know your identity—already sanctified in Christ. • Feed on Scripture daily; let truth renew your mind. • Rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to resist cultural pressures. • Walk in visible love and integrity, shining as light. • Stay connected to a faithful church for mutual strengthening. • Keep eternity in view; let hope shape today’s choices. Living “called to be holy” is not merely possible—it is the very purpose for which we were redeemed, and God Himself supplies every resource needed to walk it out in today’s world. |
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