Pure for Sure!

(Continuation from January 6)

Reading: Luke 3:1-17

"Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31)

When we fail in our efforts to overcome temptations and live holy, we settle down for mediocrity. For every failure we keep a readymade excuse. To continue our meditation of this subject, we will examine two more excuses today—

Holiness is vocational!

We have secretly and stubbornly convinced ourselves that it is not practicable to maintain holiness in certain types of jobs and trades. But the Bible emphasizes "Holiness to the Lord" to be written not only on the bowls of the altar but also on the bells of the horses and the basins in the kitchen (Zech 14:20,21). This means that God expects His people to be holy not only in religious exercises but also in civil and domestic affairs. Let's not divide our life as sacred and secular. John the Baptist had ready answers for practical righteousness whatever be the profession of the enquirers—policemen, tax collectors or the general public (Lk 3:10-14). If one is unalterably convinced that a particular job or a workspot is least conducive to holy living, he must change the profession and place instead of compromising on his Biblical convictions, even if it could mean positional and financial disadvantage. God honours such daring acts as He did for the young Joseph.

Holiness is situational!

The incarnation of Christ is the sharpest rebuke for the excuse that the degree of holiness depends on the situation or environment one lives in. Jesus lived a sinless life on this sin-toxic planet earth (Jn 1:14; Heb 7:26). He was tempted like us "in all points," yet without sin. He sympathizes and empathizes with us extending His "help in time of need" (Heb 4:15,16). The spies to Jericho maintained their purity even when hosted overnight by a notorious prostitute. Daniel freed himself from lust for forbidden food in a land of gluttony. No spot on earth is sin-free (Gen 6:11,12). The "whole" world lies under the sway of the wicked devil (1 Jn 5:19). We cannot run away from the world (1 Cor 5:10b). The prayer of Jesus to the Father for us is practical: "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one" (Jn 17:15). God opens an exit door for every trap of temptation (1 Cor 10:13).

Down in the valley, or upon the mountain steep,
Close beside my Saviour, would my soul ever keep;
He will lead me safely, in the path that He has trod,
Up to where they gather on the hills of God!
(W.O. Cushing, 1823-1902)

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Character: NextJan 8