He runs with the big dawgs…er horses. He frolics with the colts. Following Mama horse and baby horse around the way he does, you would think he was one of the family. But he isn’t. He’s a little, black billy goat.
He thinks he’s a horse! Doesn’t he realize he’s different? Set apart…Like Christians are supposed to be.
So, what’s a gal to do when she’s struggling with her worldly ways? Wanting to look different and be set apart, but never quite getting there…
Let’s go back and see what the Apostle Peter has to say.
Peter urges us to remember our salvation. We have been bought with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19). If that doesn’t stop us in our unholy tracks, I don’t know what will!
That sweet, precious blood of Jesus has:
◆ Cleansed us and made us holy:
1 Peter 1:2 (NASB) “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:2 (NLT) God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
◆ Reconciled us to God, through Jesus’ death, making us blameless in His sight.
Colossians 1:22 Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. (NLT)
Blameless. Without fault. Holy in His sight.
If Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of your life, you are holy. His substitutionary death on the cross wiped away all our sins – past, present and future. We can stand in the presence of God – holy, set apart, blameless. It was a done deal the instant we said yes to salvation through Christ. In all our filth, He sees us as perfect and blameless. Nothing we can do – bad or good – will change how He sees us.
Do you still struggle with your holiness? Yep, I still do. Why? I’m blameless in His eyes!
I think because in my heart of hearts, I think of holiness as being godly, Christlike and perfect. And I am so far from perfect. I mess up constantly in trying to be the perfect Christian, and do the perfect Christian things. How about you?
But it isn’t about being or doing. It’s about saying yes to Jesus. It isn’t about perfection. It’s about reflection.
[tweetthis]Holiness isn’t about perfection – it’s about reflection. Reflecting our perfect Jesus to an imperfect world.[/tweetthis]
When we reflect Jesus’ kindness, His compassion, and most of all His love, we will look different. Set apart. Separated. Yes, even holy.
Grace be with you,
Liz says
Such a beautiful post, Ellen! XO
Ellen says
Awww, thanks Liz! I appreciate you!
Debbie says
This is so encouraging, especially when we mess up! We’ll never be perfect this side of Heaven… I just pray that others will see through my mistakes and shortcomings and see the reflection of His love shining through me! Thanks for the reminder that it’s not about our perfection but rather His reflection we should be focusing on ❤️
Ellen says
Oh, you can’t help but reflect Him in ways others see, sweet Deb! Thanks for stopping by, and for your encouraging words!