God calls us to be holy, like He is holy, knowing that we cannot do it, try as we might. It’s not that we are not to strive to be holy; the question is how we get there. God knows this truth, many of us don’t. God does this to draw our attention to our need for our dependency in Him. God the Father personified this dependency in Him, through His Son Jesus (Galatians 3:24). Jesus did for us, what we, in and of ourselves cannot do (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). It’s not about our performance, it’s about what God has, can and will do for us, who believe and trust in His Son. One path leads to our own perceived self-glory, and the other to God’s glory.
When Jesus told us that without Him we could do nothing (John 15:5), He wasn’t kidding. The difference between God and us is that big. And the closer one gets to comprehending the thoughts and ways of God, as compared to our own, the bigger that gap becomes. Jesus calls us to rest in Him. He will lead us, step by step, in increments, as we learn from Him. Think baby steps initially, trusting, learning, with Jesus growing in us, as we grow in Him. Jesus makes it happen, He is at the helm, not us.
In the end, obedience is trusting in God and doing that which He asks us to do (Just like Jesus did). Commit your ways unto the Lord, and He shall bring it to pass. Seeking perfectionism in and of ourselves is a lost cause, because as long as we are in these bodies, nobody gets there. No, not one. Give your achieving goals to Jesus, and walk in His rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 NASB
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”
Hebrews 1:3-4 NASB
“And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent name than they.”
From one sheep in God’s flock to another,
Respectfully submitted for your consideration.
Worthy is the Lamb!
Blessings!
Bruce Cooper is a disciple of Jesus, married to Peggy, with 5 grown up children, 7 grandchildren. He is retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and resides in beautiful Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. a.k.a. “Papa.” To read more of Bruce’s work visit Reasoned Cases For Christ.
Featured Image from Cooper.ca
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