Who I Want To Be

Gracious.

Merciful.

Forgiving.

Loving.

Obedient.

Hospitable.

Kind.

Generous.

Holy.

Humble.

Christ-follower.

Yesterday, I told you that I didn’t want to be that self-righteous Christian that we see too often today. See that list above? That’s what I want to be.  Everything within me wants those attributes to define me. Do they? Sometimes, maybe. But certainly not all the time. Remember, I’m just like you.

A sinner saved by grace, exiled to a world not my home, striving for holiness.

Yes, my temper can get the best of me. My words can come spewing out and prove me a fool. Yet, I know, that by Christ work on the cross, and my belief and trust in Him, that I have been credited righteousness. Not by my works or deeds, but by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Praise God that righteousness is not based on my works! I would never attain it.

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“ Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone,but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Romans 4.18-25

I don’t ever want to forget that the righteousness given to me is because of Jesus. Slap me, if I ever think my righteousness is because my sin isn’t as ‘bad’ as the next person. Remind me, that I too, am a sinner. My inward sins that can’t be seen by everyone else are just as destructive as the ones that are visible. If not more so.

Let us strive to become holy, because HE is holy. I know there are times when we get the ‘Why try? It’s not possible. I can’t be holy,” feelings. Remember that this world is not our home. We were made to live in the presence of Almighty God and glorify Him. So, let’s start doing that now. Here on earth. Throw off the sin that weighs you down, and let’s run this race, and run it well!

How are you striving for holiness?

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