Taking a Giant Step Towards Holiness [because…]

And we all could use a dose of holiness right about now…

I don’t know about you, but I am far from perfect when it comes to loving others well. I often struggle the most in the small, daily annoyances of humanity. Last week, I readily shared this character flaw with hubby. And in his usual, wittingly flair, He quipped “Well, the first step is admitting you have a problem.”

“What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So, if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.” – Romans 7:15

All God really requires of us is to love Him and love others. Seems pretty simple, right? So, why do we struggle to do the very thing we know we should do!? One giant step in learning to loving others as God does is to recognize we are all flawed beyond measure. But also realizing—no one is flawed beyond His repair. God can redeem the messiest and ugliest of stories for His glory!

Understanding each one of us is not only deeply flawed but also badly battered and bruised equips us as Christ followers for image-bearing. When we’re willing to do the hard work ‘to be so full of God’s love’ to the extent we’re no longer capable of speaking unkind words or committing unkind deeds, His holiness shines in and through us.

Holiness isn’t a holier-than-thouness but the genuine desire to love others as God does with a spiritual walk that backs up the talk. That is a tall order to fill, my friends!? I only know one person who was able to walk so blameless and He died two thousand years ago on Calvary. It may be a lifelong journey—becoming more like Him, but I’m up for the task. Matter of fact, I long for it. How about you?

Are you equipped for the challenge? The greatest challenge ever set before us—the challenge to love one another. And most especially, the dastardly, unloveable villains in our stories!? Only then, will our holiness truly shine bright for all the world to see.

“To be some FULL of God’s love, I could not fathom speaking an unkind word or committing an unkind deed.”

That is my quest, join me?