Holy Living part 1

This is it. This is my first (of possibly many) posts focused on Holy Living. I don’t want to put it into one post for two reasons. 1st is the length. I have a lot to say and most people don’t finish reading long posts. And 2nd is the time. I post in the morning before I go to work. I shouldn’t be late to work.

If you haven’t read any of my posts in the past, I would encourage you to read “What Have You Given Up Lately?” because it goes along with what I might say today. Lets face it, to live a Holy Life, God is going to ask you to give some things up. But where do you start? I think a great starting point would be to read 1 Timothy. He (Paul) gives qualifications of a Bishop (overseer, elder…) as well as a Deacon. I had a similar conversation on someone else’s blog a while back. Why not strive or aim for the High goals? Why aren’t we encouraged in our churches to desire the office of eldership? Are ministers afraid to let people read or study the Bible for themselves? Do they fear a hostile takeover? Do they fear that someone might realize their spiritual life doesn’t measure up to the patterns in the scripture? The early Catholic church fastened the Bible to the pulpit so no one could take it out of the church. They wouldn’t allow the Bible to be translated into the ‘common’ language. Today is different, though. They don’t discourage Bible reading (although it’s not often encouraged). Ministers don’t fear the people reading their Bibles too much because they know better. That hasn’t been a problem for a long time. Not since the invent of the TV, video games, radio, computer, internet (plug your struggle in here). What is the fear? Why aren’t we encouraged to live a Holy Life? To read and study on our own?

1 Timothy 3
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Even though I may never become an elder or deacon, I view this passage as a call to holiness. Aren’t these characteristics all desirable? Wife, wouldn’t you like your husband to measure up to this? And this is certainly not the only passage in scripture that leads to a Holy Life. Titus 2 encourages us to have sound speech and sober minds so people can’t give an evil report of you. 2 Timothy says we need to be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, instructing in meekness. These are just a few examples. Holy Living isn’t just to benefit you. Like the Titus passage says, so people can’t give an evil report of you. This is how we are a light to those around us. I personally find it hard for us to be an example to the world when we are so much like the world. God has called us to a higher standard of living than the world. That is why we can’t look down upon those not saved. We can’t expect them to live according to the Biblical teachings when they don’t own or have never read a Bible. We have. We know the scriptures. Why aren’t we living according to them?

Back to a previous statement. How can we be lights to the dark world when we appear dark? When we look, act like, talk like and do the same things as the world, where is the light/dark contrast?

I don't like leaving this un-finished but I will pick up tomorrow where I left off today. Think on these things, have a great day and…

God Bless!

“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14