Holy by Grace
Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 1:17-21
It was not with perishable things … that you were redeemed … but with the precious blood of Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-19
For the child of God there is no greater privilege than to embrace the lifestyle of holiness. Why? Because the grace that has redeemed us from death is the same grace that equips us for life.
Grace has redeemed us from “the empty way of life.” The empty way of life can take many forms: trusting in money for security, trusting in performance religion to earn God’s favor, trusting in the goodness of people to build a better future. The truth, though, is that money is temporary, performance religion proves to be never good enough, and people are unable to break themselves free of sin. Both the grace of God and history beg the question “Why place trust in what always comes up empty?”
Grace renews our ability to live in the fullness of true life.
Grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness and yes to living in reverent fear of God. Yet God’s commands are not burdens to be endured. Rather, like guardrails on a treacherous road, they are given to protect us from danger and thus to equip us to enjoy true life (2 Peter 1:3-11). Grace invokes holiness so that we are able to have life “to the full” (see John 10:10).
God equips us, in Christ, to be holy in life. Is this the way you desire to live?
Dear Lord, I praise you for your gift of grace! Comfort me with your deliverance and convict me to live the life of Christ! May you be glorified in my every attitude and action. Amen.
About the author — Calvin Hoogendoorn
Rev. Calvin Hoogendoorn serves as senior pastor of First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Previously he served two churches in Illinois. He and his wife, Carla, have three daughters.
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