Living the Christian life is not about formula. It is not about rules or procedures, it is not about right or wrong even. Christianity is about a living relationship with God, with Jesus Christ, and with our Holy Spirit.
Living the Christian life is about entering into a relationship with God, growing in that relationship, and finding out what our new friend (God) likes or doesn't like.
Moving with God we come to find out what offends and what gladdens the heart of God. For instance we read in Proverbs a few of what offends God and then how he prefers to act.
We in turn, begin to naturally live out our lives in accordance with God's standards, because we want to please God, because we have got it that God LOVES us.
Our desire for God comes next.
Holiness alongside God is next.
Then working for God naturally flows.
To often in our churches and our Christian communities we stress #3 and head right into #4, before we understand or experience #1 or #2.
When we preach Holiness before someone even knows who God is, or of God's great love, we put the cart before the horse, and the plow before the oxen. We end up hurting others and doing the exact opposite of what God does. For as we read in Micah, God pardons iniquity and covers over transgressions.
The Bible is very clear. Love comes first, and out of love all things flow, and love then wraps it all up.
Holiness that comes out of a pure desire and love for God, is a different product than an attempt at holiness that comes out of a view of God as a harsh and strict taskmaster.
Holiness that comes from our relationship with God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, made possible in the blood of Jesus Christ, is something very different to behold.
This kind of holiness shines and is settled and pure. This kind of holiness is kept by God himself, and is the source of great joy and acts as a profound offering of our lives back to God.
It is only in love that we are saved, and only in the knowledge of God's love are we inspired and enabled to live lives unto God.
This is a living breathing relationship. God initiates, we respond.
And how is God initiating in your life today?
Take time to thank God for that today.
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