Wednesday August 12, 2020

Romans 12:1-2
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I Peter 1:13-16
13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Is Paul crazy? Does Peter know what he is saying? We are to be Holy? Yes, we are made perfect by Christ’s sacrifice. Yes, grace wipes the slate clean. But, here it comes, I don’t feel, think or act Holy every day, hour, or even moment of my life. It seems impossible to be Holy, to think Holy or to act Holy.

It is! But, here it comes again, we can, as our author says, have “Holy Moments”. An athlete may not win every contest, but still be a super star. In baseball, a batting average of 300 is considerably above the normal or average. That means 2 out of 3 times they strike out or perhaps they are thrown out. Babe Ruth, one of the most famous baseball players of all time, struck out more times than he hit a home run.

We should work at holiness, moment by moment. A prayer time, an act of kindness, a word of encouragement, a phone call, a card, a card sent, each brings a moment of holiness and transforms our lives. Will you make time today to have a Holy Moment? Will your hope be placed in Christ today?

As Peter says, “Have your mind ready for actions, think clearly, place your hope in Christ.” So we must act! Think Holy! Act Holy! Moment by moment be Holy today.

Lord, I present my life to you. Today, I will strive to be Holy, moment by moment, in thought, word and deed, trusting in your grace.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.