"How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing . . . it is irresistible. If even ten percent of the world's population had it, would not the whole world be converted and happy before a year's end?" –C.S. Lewis
In Isaiah 45:22 God says, "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other!" As children of God we have the promise that His Spirit dwells in us (Cor 3:16) so, when people look at you, do they see God? Not just when you are at church...or when all is going well in your life...but at any moment of any day, do you look like God? Would an encounter with you cause an unbeliever to know more about the character of God?
God's plan for His church is shown in Ephesians 5:27: "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Unfortunately a Church "without blemish" is not what the world is currently seeing. Divorce, pornography, and addiction seem to be as prevalent among Christians as in the world...as do gossip, bitterness, unforgiveness, envy, pride, lying, and lack of self-control.
In the quote above C.S. Lewis states concerning holiness that "When one meets the real thing...it is irresistable." The "real thing" is God Himself (No One is holy like the Lord...1 Sam 2:2). And His children are to look like their Father: "but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15,16
God has called us to holiness that we might glorify Him and be light to a dark world (Matt 5:14), but He knows we cannot do it on our own. He has given us His Spirit (Acts 1:8) to guide, to convict, and to teach us. If God so graciously indwells us with this Helper, our response should be one of humble surrender...that He might sanctify us unto holiness and, through our lives, lead others to "look to" Him and be saved!
INTERCESSIONS:
- that this week, by submitting to the Spirit, you would be directed in the way of godliness (I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Eze 26:27)
- that this week you would not grieve the Holy Spirit by choosing sinfulness over holiness (And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph 4:30)
- that this week you will die to self so others can see Christ in you (I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:20)
- that this week the fruit of the Spirit would be evident in your life, a reflection of God's character to those who do not know Him (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Gal 5:22, 23)
This week may we glorify our God by being like our God: holy and without blemish. And may God use our lives in His salvation of our nation.
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