Chosen by God!
“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (I Peter 1:13-16 NKJV)
We are to reflect God’s holiness in all relationships. In order to become progressively more holy without becoming discouraged by our human weaknesses we must spend time with God and in His Word so we can become more like Him. The more we become like Him the more tender our hearts are to sin and the bigger our desire to reflect Jesus becomes. The more we see ourselves the way God does the easier it becomes to make choices that please Him.
We must also take courage in the fact that there is forgiveness for sin and that the enemy is the accuser, not God. Then we must embrace 1st John 1:9, (“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” NKJV) to receive forgiveness and cleansing, Romans 8:1, (“Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].” AMP), so we remember that there is no condemnation from God towards us, and Lamentations 3:22-24, (“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I hope in Him!” NKJV), so we can walk boldly in God’s faithfulness and new mercies each day. When we make Him our portion we can be assured that when we fall He will help us get back up, and back on track, when we have totally surrendered our lives to Him.
The most important factor in all of this is to remember that we cannot live a holy life without God and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. God does not call us to do something that He has not equipped us to do through relationship with Him. He never meant for us to walk alone. If we stay connected to the Living Vine, Jesus Christ, and surrender to being directed by Him we will be able to walk this out. Without Him, we can do nothing.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT)
Be Encouraged! ❤
Leisa Wilkins Ministries
"Encouraging and Empowering you to become who God created you to be, God's Masterpiece, a Divine Original!"
Pastor | Author | Bible Teacher | Speaker | Encourager
www.leisawilkins.com