I love a good pun – and the title of this site is one of my favorites.
But, I am vitally and seriously interested in how one may become holy and how one may wholly become; to borrow a phrase from 20th century U.S. Army recruiting campaigns, I want too “Be all that (I) can be” in the psycho-spiritual sense.
Scripture commands it:
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1 (Peter is quoting Leviticus 11:44 and 19:2)
In the scriptures Peter is quoting, God, speaking thru his Prophet Moses, is commanding His chosen people to be “set apart”; consecrated; different from the people around them; because the Lord God Almighty was different from all the human-conceived “gods” of other people – they, and Christians, are to be different;
“9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” -- 1 Peter 2
For observant Jews and many Christians being “set apart” is about things they do, or things they don’t do (or don’t wish to be caught doing); but for me, and many others, it’s about becoming someone not only different in conduct and other observable factors, it’s about a fundamental (no pun intended) transformation of our entire being;
“2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” -- Romans 12
This transformation is an entirely reasonable expectation for any person whose status has been so altered:
4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir. – Galatians 4
We are free; no longer Slaves to Sin, no longer Slaves to the law. We are free, adopted as Sons of the Living God and free to be all we can be – wholly.
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Wow, Pastor, you didn’t miss a single beat getting a very special message right where it belongs; Heart, Mind, and Soul. I received a true blessing by reading your sermon from start to finish. Thanks.
Have You survived? I've tried reaching out but heard nothing back. You still with us?
Kevin, how may I help you? You may email me specifics at stephenlucas@bellsouth.net
I need your help please