As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But 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.”
When you become a Christian you repent from living one way and choose to live another. You do a complete U-turn from living according to the rules of the world and begin to obey the Spirit in holiness. We learn that just as Jesus loved us and died for our sins, we are to love others and die to ourselves.
Holiness, to me, isn't just about, or even mainly about not doing some things. Holiness is more about treating others with the same grace that God shows me in Christ. Someone once told me to leave people a way out. Don't put them into a corner from which their only exit is to fight their way out through you.
Think about this: Christ is our way out.
God does not sit us in a corner and just tell us how awful we are, even though it is true. He offers us a way out in the grace, mercy and forgiveness of Christ. We are to do the same for others. We offer the grace, God changes the heart.
Now, if you are in a corner and you have sinned, forgiveness and repentance go hand in hand. Christ did not die that we could sin again. He died that we might be free from sin and death. Grace is to change your heart and mind. Remember, you are free to live in the forgiveness and love of God.
Father, help us to love and you have loved us and to be holy as you are holy. Praise be to you in us today!
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