Worship & The Word June 27th

From 1980 to 2001 the recruiting slogan for the United States Army was “Be All You Can Be.” 

This slogan was an effort to get young recruits to believe if they were going to have a good life they needed to be all they could be, and the best place for that to happen was in the United States Army.  Although I certainly admire and respect anyone that desires to serve in the military, I believe the best way to be all you can be is spelled with small a four-letter word. .. H-o-l-y.   Now, in today’s culture when you use the term “four- letter word” it usually means something has been said in a derogatory manner.  But this a good four-letter word.   What makes the word “holy” a good word is the fact that it describes our good God, for He is a Holy God.  And our Holy God says that His children… His followers…  the born-again believers are also to be holy.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

A lot of the songs we sing at Fairview have this word and/or theme in them.  You can see it in songs such as “Holy, Holy, Holy” ,  “Higher Ground”,  “Revelation Song”, and one of my all time favorite choir songs, “Lord, You’re Holy.”  But, the question has to be asked, “How can I live a holy life in such a sin-infested culture?”

Peter gives us three elements to help us know how we are to live Holy in vs 13 & 14 of the same chapter…Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

  1. Keep your mind Focused: He says to gird up the loins of your mind which simply means, “pull your thoughts together” or “have a disciplined mind.”   The image is that of a robed man, tucking his skirts under the belts, so he can be free to work or run.   Don’t let your mind just wander during the day. 
  2. Look forward to your Future: In the last part of verse 13 he writes,  “and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  What motivates a Christian to live a holy life on this earth is the fact that there is a better future ahead in heaven.  Everything we do should be done with an eternal perspective.  Our culture teaches us to live for today to be happy in life.  Today’s education, skills, and material possessions are all important, but if we use them for selfish desires then they are not going to bring glory to God in this life or for eternity.  Have an eternal outlook in life in everything you say or do.
  3. Act like your Father: And lastly, in verse 14 Peter teaches us how to live holy by reminding us that we are children, children of our heavenly Father.  The logic here is very simple.  Children inherit the nature of their parents.  Born-again believers become children of God, a holy God.   Therefore as His children we should live holy lives.  What does that mean?  We need to learn the characteristics that God has and model them in our lives.  He loves pure things, we should be involved in purity.  He loves obedience, we must obey Him.  He is righteous, we should strive to live right.  He has compassion, we must have the same feelings.  If you are His child then act like your Father. 

So, next time we sing a song about living a holy life don’t just dismiss the idea… live it by remembering to:  Keep your mind Focused; Look forward to your Future; and, Act like your Father.

 

Worship & The Word

Phillip Johnson


^