RPG Adults
MAINTAINING A HOLY LIFE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10
1 Peter 2:1-3
Psalm 32
“Turn away mine eyes
from beholding vanity;
and quicken thou me in thy way.”
MAINTAINING A HOLY LIFE
Since we have a new life in Christ, we should live in a holy manner, and with love toward other believers. There are two things we must do in order to maintain this good Christian testimony of holiness and brotherly love.
First, we must lay aside or give up sin. We notice that the sins enumerated in 1 Peter 2:1 would all interfere with love for the brethren. Guile is to deal with someone in a tricky manner while hypocrisy is to act contrary to our true feelings and intent. Guile is considered “normal” in many areas of the business world and people are often admired for the “slick deals” they make. Sometimes we cover up hypocrisy by calling it “diplomacy” but this, along with guile, is just another form of dishonesty which has no place in the Christian life. Envy, or jealousy is a very common sin which is often revealed through another sin, evil speaking. Some Christians find it very easy to speak evil of their fellow Christians. Yet the Holy Scripture challenges us to lay aside such sin.
The second step in maintaining a good Christian testimony is to study God’s Word. The example the Apostle gave us is a vivid one. Like a newborn baby desiring milk, so we should desire a knowledge of the Scriptures. It is only when we love and study God’s Word that we will grow spiritually.
Many Christians have continual trouble with sin. In Matthew 12:43-45, the Lord warns that we cannot get rid of evil without replacing it with good. The Christian who lays aside sin but does not replace it with actions pleasing to the Lord will find the desire for sin coming back. We must deal with sin by putting it away, asking God’s forgiveness and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill our lives with godly activity through a study of the Holy Scripture. In this way we grow to be more like Christ and become a real asset to the local church and the testimony of the Lord.
THOUGHT: How must I deal with sin?
PRAYER: Father, as I study Thy Word, may I taste and see that Thou art good (Ps 34:8).