HOLINESS
Ephesians 5
Ephesians
5:3: “But among you there must not be a
hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these
are improper for God’s holy people.”
Ten year old Brad admitted to his Sunday
school class, “I am a long way from holy!”
The
other fifth graders snickered nervously.
Age ten is just the beginning of human’s raging hormones. Discussing sexual immorality was a hot topic. Teacher Mr. Robbins expected lively
discussion. He said, “God is clear: sex
is reserved for after marriage between a man and woman in Ephesians 5:22-33.”
Phillip blurted out, “but girls are everywhere, looking directly at classmates Melanie and Darby.”
Mr. Robbins nodded his head and said, “You aren’t the first kids going through puberty. Prevailing through bodily changes is challenging—I remember well. But you’re in my classroom, so I know that ‘you are God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.’ That’s from Colossians 3:12.”
“Phillip, please read Ephesians 5:4-5.”
“Okay. ‘Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk
or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather of thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a
man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.’”
Mr.
Robbins said, “Thanks. Remember that
‘the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.’ from 1 John 1:7. Now turn to 1 Peter 2:11. What wars against our souls?”
Melanie
answered, “Sinful desires?”
“Right,
Melanie.”
Accepting
Jesus as Savior starts believers’ amassing spiritual gifts as they grow in
Christ. Salvation, adoption into God’s family
and indwelling Holy Spirit are immediate.
But what people usually ignore is that accepting Jesus as Savior ALSO
accepts him as Lord of their lives. Creds devotion showed how God master’s
people’s lives for their good "who are called according to His purpose."
Wills
yielded to God is the only way that believers are perceived as holy to the
watching world. God must be in
charge. Believers are taught to live our
lives by faith (not by sight), led by God’s Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5&7).
Mr.
Robbins continued, “being holy is also a command. 1 Peter 1:14-16 says, ‘As obedient children,
do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be
holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
Take Home Nugget
Believers
devotion taught: Children
of God are not called “sinners,” but “saints.”
Saints are holy people saved by grace and set apart from the world for God’s purposes.
Help me to yield my will
to you, Oh Lord. Develop holiness in me,
Jesus. Amen.
J.D. Griffith
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