From Hopscotch to Holiness

58 From Hopscotch To Holinesswants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their crossdaily and follow me.’” However, God offers a remedy. We can live ourlives from the perspective that our citizenship is now in heaven as weeagerly await Christ’s return. (Philippians 3:20) Christ’s way is the answerto living a holy life.JESUS IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSOur understanding of holiness must center on Jesus Christ. Consider1 Corinthians 1:30. “He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whobecame for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctificationand redemption.” Jesus alone is our source of righteousness. That is thegood news of the gospel. Any attempts we make to be holy or righteousbefore God apart from the finished work of Jesus on the cross will failmiserably. Beloved, that should free us up from all striving and stress.We must just receive the holiness that comes from the Lord. Only whenthe holiness of Jesus lives within us can we live a righteous life.THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESSThe Holy Spirit changes and transforms us from the inside out. Consider1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. “May the God of peace himself sanctify youentirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound andblameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls youis faithful, and he will do this.” Sanctification is the powerful processthat the Lord uses to make us more and more like him. God does thissolely because he is faithful. Take a moment and pray for the work ofsanctification in your life. Loving Father, you amaze me with your graceand faithfulness. Thank you for changing me from the inside out tobecome more like you each day. As I pursue godliness, allow the thingsof the world and the flesh to be stripped away. Empower me to be holybecause you are holy. Amen