The Holy Life in Jesus Christ!

“He [God] has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” – 2 Timothy 1:9-10 NIV

Most of us think that the holy life, which is God has called us to live, is filled of the wisdom, the love, the mercy, the grace, the forgiveness, the peace, the justice, the truth of God, etc.. Thus, we do not have to repent before God. We also believe that repenting before God is just for immature followers of Jesus Christ. Because of this, we get embarrassed around our brothers and sisters in Christ. We might even believe that we are not worthy enough to follow Jesus Christ until the end of the age. Therefore, we quit of being the follower of Jesus, and start to live in our old-fashioned way, according to our desires, passions, pleasures, and will.

Indeed, God wants us to live a holy life that is filled with His characteristic attributes. However, the very specific meaning of living our holy lives is just following the Spirit of God until the end of our physical lives. If we just live according to the Spirit of God, the fruit of the Spirit is probably going to fill us with its attributes (Galatians 5:22-25) in God’s timing (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Because of this, we have to be patient and while we are being patient, we have to live our lives according to the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ through faith (Philippians 1:27-29). The main reason for this is that through faith in Jesus the gospel of Jesus Christ are the main sources of living righteously before God in the Spirit (Colossians 1:21-23). Furthermore, repenting before God is not unworthy apology before Him. Rather, it is joyful apology before the Lord (Luke 15:1-7). In addition, God is the forgiving God, so He is able to forgive any transgressions and sins that we have made in anytime, due to the fact that Jesus has already paid them and our death penalty in full by crucifying Himself on the cross (1 John 1:9-2:2; Hebrews 9:23-26). These does not mean that we should sin purposely and repent in humility but we should confess repent before God often or always to strive in becoming more holy and godly than the previous ones (1 Peter 1:13-17; 2 Peter 1:3-11). This is probably part of the reason that 2 Peter 3:8-9 declares, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:3-8)

Because God has already paid our sin and death penalty in full through Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:13-15) to give us freedom and eternal life (Hebrews 2:14-15), we should owe our lives back to God by surrendering our lives before Him (Mark 8:34-38) and commit ourselves to follow Him until the end of the age through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10). If we are able to become the righteousness of God without Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, then Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross would be useless, pointless, and obsolete (Galatians 2:19-22). In fact, 1 John 2:15-17 urges us not to love the world nor any things of the world because the love of God is not in them and they are fading away at the end of our physical lives, but whoever pleases God and do the will of God is going to live forever. James 4:4-5, even, states that if we are a friend of the world, then we automatically become an enemy of God. The main reason for this is that we are stopping the Spirit of God from working powerfully within us. 2 Corinthians 4:4 declares, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)