Saturday March 23 2013

Read: Matthew 5:48, 1 Peter 1:13-16

What is the standard for holiness for God’s followers? Is there a point at which we can merely decide that we no longer need to grow in our faith and in our godliness? Is there a point where we are holy enough?

 

For the past 27 verses Jesus has been establishing the standard of holiness for his followers by unpacking the true intention of God’s law. This true intention is not merely a change in behaviour, God’s intention is that our hearts are changed also. Jesus has established that his people should not be angry, should not lust, should not divorce, should not break their word, should be kind in the face of hostility and should be loving in the face of hatred. As if this standard of holiness wasn’t enough Jesus closes off his teaching with this phrase in verse 48: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect.”

 

The standard of holiness for God’s people is not some outward measure of holiness, the standard is the character of God himself. We are to perfectly reflect the character of God in our lives. We are to “Be holy, because I am holy” as we read in 1 Peter and in the Old Testament.

 

If our standard for Holiness is the character of God himself we can never arrive or achieve that standard until Jesus comes again. Until that day we must always strive to be more holy and to more accurately reflect the character of Jesus in our lives. We do not do this because we need to earn God’s approval, God has already made us right with Him through Christ. Rather, we strive to be more like Jesus out of thanksgiving and praise for what He has done for us.

 

This might seem like an impossible task but the good news is this: God has given us His spirit to change us to be more like Him. This does not mean we have a passive role in becoming more like Him, we are commanded to strive for holiness, but it does mean that God has promised to help us in our task.

 

Think about God’s standard. How do you measure up to that standard? Pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal to you areas where you fall short of God’s standard and help you to be more like Him in those areas.

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¥ Praise God that He has given you the Holy Spirit to help you to be more like Him. Pray that God would reveal to you any areas in your life where you fall short of His standard. Pray that He would help you to be more like Him.

¥ Pray for the preaching of God’s word tomorrow morning all over the world. Pray that the gospel would be preached boldly and that many would come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

 

My Additional Prayer Points.

1/.

 

2/.

 

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. If the standard for holiness is God’s character how do we learn what that standard is?

2. What are some things that God’s people should/shouldn’t be doing?