In this country, age didn’t necessarily determine seasoning.”
–Donald L. Robertson (Return of the Star)
“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
–2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)
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Several months ago I wrote three devotions concerning what it means to work out your salvation. Paul tells us emphatically, “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12, NIV) If you remember we looked at three ways in which we do that: Fulfill our duty as Christians; to be diligent in our walk without wavering; and to pick up our cross daily. I want to mention another way; one that is shunned and that is found in 1 Peter 1:16, “Be holy, because I am holy.” (NIV) There it is! Straight forward, and though some of you may cry “legalism” it is the Word of God. I agree with Dr. Lednicky when he says, “Much of the conversation today about ‘legalism’ is nothing more than the flesh seeking an acceptable method for approval and self-justification.”
Holy! Only God is holy, yet He tells us that we are to be holy. How is that possible? It takes effort, self-discipline, and a walk with the Lord. It takes self-sacrifice, devotion, and being submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Lednicky states, “Your responsibility is to discipline your life to scriptural obedience.” Today I want to use a hymn to help us in working on our “holy life.” It was written by William Dunn Lonstaff
Take time to be holy, Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, And feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children; Help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing His blessings to seek.
Take time to be holy, The world rushes on;
Much time spend in secret With Jesus alone;
By looking at Jesus, Like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Are you getting the picture? If we are to be holy we must spend time with Jesus. We must be diligent in reading, and not reading only, but studying His Word. Yes, the world rushes, and tries to put undue pressure on us, therefore it is all the more imperative that we spend time with the Lord. Instead of saying that “I am free and can do what I want” which is a selfish expression in itself we should be striving to be like Christ. It is not how close to the edge, how close to the world I can be and still be a Christian; it should be how close can I get to Jesus and imitate Him. Alistair Begg said, “We cannot love holiness without hating its opposite.” How can we love the things of the world? John writes, “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:3, NIV). John has already written, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15, NIV) Then why make the world your friend. Instead, we should:
Take time to be holy, Let Him be thy guide,
And run not before Him Whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow Still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, Still trust in His Word.
Take time to be holy, Be calm in thy soul;
Each though and each motive Beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit To fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted For service above.
Legalism? Bah, you mean freedom to sin. Listen, we are to work out our salvation and I am afraid that too many are forgetting the “fear and trembling” part. “What is too often defined as legalism is nothing more than carnality refusing to be crucified.” (Lednicky) Pick up your cross, discipline yourself and know that, “Holiness means to be completely separate from all that is common” (Philip Comfort). Friend, we must take time to be holy.