Pursuing Holiness

I heard someone recently say that who we are here on earth is just as important as who we will be in heaven. I love that. I believe that. I believe that the character I develop here will somehow be used once I get “there.” That’s why I strive so hard to be more like God each day.

I’m aiming for holiness, here.

In fact, I think God asks that of me.

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 1:15-16

Pursue holiness and peace with all men, without which no man shall see the Lord.”  (Hebrews 12:14) 

Maybe it’s just me – but I think “pursuing holiness” isn’t always in high demand in the life of a Christian. What I mean is, it doesn’t seem to be a top priority to a lot of us.

It’s very easy to go about our days and live life our way. Then go to church on Sunday or Bible Study on Wednesday, do our “duty” of getting filled with the Lord, leave, and go about what we want again.

It’s so easy to not filter what movies we watch. Because we may think we can handle it and I guess because we think we’re saved – we’re okay. The same is true for books. But we forget about being holy in what we see.

It’s so easy to not filter what we listen to. Pop music is fun and it has a good beat. But we forget to be holy in what we hear.

Easy? God never said the Christian walk would be easy. Yet we are still called to live holy (at least try to.) We are called to be holy in how we speak, in what we think, in how we dress or act – all of it. Are we? Are we pursuing holiness when we want to look a little bit sexy showing that cleavage? Are we pursuing holiness when we do everything the rest of the world does?

I’m trying so hard to be intentional about where I’m at in life and where I’m going. Sure, I mess up a lot. I get sucked into watching that movie that everyone is talking about. But you know what? Usually when my instincts (or God) were whispering to me, “You know you shouldn’t…” all along and yet I do….I regret it. Always. It doesn’t feel good inside. I feel dirty. Unholy.

And I hate feeling that way.

Just as someone who has diabetes or high cholesterol can’t eat with abandon the way the rest of the world can – so can Christians not consume the culture like the rest of the world.  We are called to be different. To stand out.

To be holy.