Closing the Gap

“Be holy as I am holy,” is the Lord’s word to Christians. He wants us to live a distinct kind of life, separate from the world around us, characterized by the beauty of spiritual fruit. Should a Christian spend time grasping for more things? No.  Should a Christian be lustful and/or immoral? No. Prideful? No.  Profane in speech, lewd in conduct? Never.  The Lord is honored by us in holiness – when we are filled with " the fruit of the Spirit (which) is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

Are you a holy person?  Is there evidence in your life that you belong to the Lord and that your thoughts, words, and actions are shaped by a desire to please Him?  Tough questions, aren’t they? Some days we do better than others.  There are days when love for others just spills over from my full heart and there are days . . .  yes, it’s hard to admit . . . when I am a selfish man. Most days I have few concerns about material things, but moments come when I want more and envy shows its ugly face.  

Yesterday, while sharing the Cup and Bread of Communion, I spoke those ancient words -  “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:25, NIV) and the truth was renewed to me. He closes the gap between my imperfection and the demands of a perfect God!  Holiness is a work in progress in my daily  life, but because of Jesus’ gift at the Cross I am privileged with full access to the Throne of God, with eternal life. God extended a new agreement, purchased by the blood of Christ Jesus, that I accept by faith. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2, NIV)

That I could never be by my own efforts who God makes me through faith is the paradox of holiness.  The Christian of best intentions who decides to make himself holy is always frustrated by the sinful nature which remains active.  The person who comes by faith to Christ and allows the Holy Spirit to work in his life finds that the gap between intentions and actions closes.  Paul says "God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)" (Ephesians 2:4-5, NLT)  "Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:9-10, NLT)

Let me ask you again, are you a holy person?  The answer for those in Christ is yes!  Now, let the Spirit work out the implications of your faith!  You are holy, set right with God. Now, "since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." (Galatians 5:25, NLT)

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Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

Come, Thou fount of ev'ry blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace.

Streams of mercy never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet

Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the Mount, I'm fixed upon it, (Calvary, where Christ died on the Cross)

Mount of Thy redeeming love!

Here I raise mine Ebenezer, (a memorial)

Hither by Thy help I'm come.

And I hope by Thy good pleasure

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wand'ring from the fold of God.

He to rescue me from danger

Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor,

Daily I'm constrained to be.

Let Thy grace Lord like a fetter

Bind my wand'ring heart to Thee!

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;

Prone to leave the God I love.

Here's my heart, Lord take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

John Wyeth | Robert Robinson

© Words: Public Domain