CMA HeartBeat October 2023 | Page 23

By RACHEL Larson

you ever played charades before ? I don ' t feel I ' m very good at that game , but it ' s always fun to see how people get their teammates to guess the answer . When you play charades , you imitate something so others can see that thing in your actions . Our pursuit of holiness is imitating Christ . What do you think of when you hear " holiness ?" Or to " be holy ?" To be holy is to be perfect . Being holy does not mean BEING God , but being LIKE God in how we act and behave . As we pursue Jesus , He changes us from the inside out . The Holy Spirit brings to our attention what needs to be changed and gives us the power to make different choices . Slowly over time , we become more like Jesus . Our goal is to focus on Jesus ; our relationship with Him is what changes us inwardly through the power of the Holy Spirit . We are incapable of living a holy life without the Holy Spirit .

Many of you have likely heard the term WWJD . This acronym came from this principle - we need to consider the holiness of Jesus because His life was meant to be an example for us . John 13:34-35 ( NIV ) says , “ A new command I give you : Love one another . As I have loved you , so you must love one another . By this everyone will know that you are my disciples , if you love one another .” Others will

see Christ in us when our lives are set apart and driven by love . Jesus told His disciples that their actions would impact how others saw Him . Our actions , being guided in our relationship with Jesus , will not only affect us , but it will affect others .

We have to acknowledge our responsibility for holiness . Too often , we say we are “ defeated ” by a sin . We are not defeated ; we are simply disobedient . We step out of our responsibility when we blame something “ outside of ourselves ” instead of acknowledging our choice to disobey . This life isn ’ t about our pursuit of happiness , it ’ s about holiness .

As we work at a track , participate in a Bike Blessing , or go to school , our actions speak to everyone around us . Christ calls us to be holy ; others should see us pursuing that in all we do . They will watch to see if we are different if we “ practice what we preach .”

“ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved , a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth . Avoid godless chatter , because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly ” ( 2 Timothy 2:15-16 , NIV ).

“ 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 . 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 ” ( Romans 12:1-2 , NIV ).

“ But just as He who called you is holy , so be holy in all you do ; for it is written : “ Be holy , because I am holy ” ( 1 Peter 1:15-16 , NIV ).

“ Then he said to them all : “ Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me ” ( Luke 9:23 , NIV ).

Take some time to reflect on your own pursuit of holiness . Ask yourself : Am I willing to give up whatever the Holy Spirit convicts me of in order to live a life of holiness ? Even if it ’ s a social media account , or a type of music , or even a friendship ? What step will you take today to better pursue a life of holiness ? CMA