"Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
1 Peter 1:16-21
Be Happy or Be Holy?
The United States Declaration of Independence speaks of "unalienable rights" and lists "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Is happiness the main goal in life?
Happiness can be a great blessing from God. However, it becomes wrong when we pursue happiness instead of holiness. As we read God's Word, we notice that God doesn't repeatedly urge us to find happiness; he commands us to be holy. As sinners, you and I fail. We are not holy as God is holy.
If we're honest, we do often make happiness our highest goal. How might you see that? Look at the way you spend your time and money. Or, when things don't work out as happily as you had planned, notice how disappointment with life or with God clouds your heart. When you have a choice between happiness or helping, happiness or honesty and integrity, happiness or sacrifice…which do you choose?
In his great mercy, God loved you. In Jesus, he freed you from an "empty way of life." God redeemed you from your sin-filled and self-centered life. God paid for your forgiveness with Jesus' precious blood. Through Jesus, God has made you holy.
Because God is holy and sees you as holy, God tells you to be holy. In love and thanks to God who saved you, aim to live for God in all you do. In thanks to God, say: "What sins will I strive to stay away from today? What good works will I pursue to glorify my God?"
Many people hope for happiness by pursuing life experiences that are fun and fulfilling. God gives you something far better in Jesus. He gives you forgiveness and peace with God now. He gives you a perfect, eternal inheritance that will never go away. And because God is so gracious, he even gives you happiness in life.
Prayer:
Father, you are holy. Forgive me all my sins. Thank you for rescuing me and making me holy through Jesus. Keep me from sin today. Open my eyes and heart to love and honor you with all I do and say. Amen.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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