We Are Not Perfect...But Are Called to Something Higher

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" [1 Peter 2:9]

"...God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved..." [Colossians 3:12]

How often have we read the headlines or viewed a newsreport broadcasting the scandalous behaviors or alleged actions of a well-known evangelist or local church pastor?

Or maybe on a smaller scale, how many times have you overheard or had a conversation with a non-believer whose had the "pleasure" of consistently witnessing a myriad of "worldly" behaviors from Christians, so much that they express no interests in joining our "club" and giving their life to Christ?  The way they most likely view it,  joining our "club" and becoming a Christian seems to be no different from the reality they are already living in the world?

In each of these scenarios, grand-scale or small, the underlying issue is that Christians are not showing themselves to be Christ-like (like Christ in character and/or spirit) to the world, and

this is a grave problem.

Quite often, you will hear us Christians talking about a sin we've committed or a struggle we are warring with, and ending our discussion with the declaration of , "Well, I am not perfect.  I am a human." or "God knows my heart.", as if all is futile.   We spew this point out from our mouths, in a manner that suggests that there is not much that we can do about our actions or our propensity to sin.  "Hey, this is just me...this who I am...what do you want me to do about it?"  We sin and convince ourselves that this is simply a part of us being human, and "the buck stops there".  Often we don't take the issue a bit further in our minds and consciousness to confront the necessity for us to rid ourselves of this sin, and then take serious measures (with God's mighty help) to do so.

Yes, we are all human and we are all sinners that have fallen short....BUT the day we gave our lives to Christ, we were made a NEW CREATION [2 Corin. 5:17] and have been called to something much greater and much higher.  The day we accepted salvation, we joined a "club" that is NOT LIKE this world and the sins and acts that pervade it.  We ARE expected to be and act like Christ.  And I am sorry to say, there are no exceptions, no excuses; No, No, NO!  We have been born again IN CHRIST!

I believe that many of us believers and "CHRISTIAN" name tag wearers need to seriously reconsider and reflect on what it truly means when we gave our lives to salvation and to the lordship of Christ.  So many of us want to be in the "club" but share dual membership in the "club" of this world, as well.  But God is truly clear on this matter.  For one, "..don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God [James 4:4]. WE ARE a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" [1 Peter 2:9].   The day that we gave our lives to Christ, we were called to "put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry" [Colossians 3: 5].  As his chosen ones God has expected us to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love, instead of still carrying around anger, rage, malice, slander,  filthy language from your lips, lies and gossip. [Colossians 3: 7, 12, 14 & 1 Tim. 5:13].

I will not mix my words or tarry on much longer today... simply put from His Word:

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace..." [2 Tim. 1:9]

Yes... we are human, we will fall to sin, and God will forgive us and heal us, when we repent. 

BUT, we need to wake up each day, and go throughout our day with an attitude and consciousness that WE ARE CALLED TO SOMETHING HIGHER...we should look and act different from the world...

WE ARE CALLED TO A HOLY LIFE!