His Highest Hopes for You

He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ~ 2 Timothy 1:9

    What do you do with a couple of sentences that contain more than the sum of their parts? An average phrase is like a deflated balloon, but a Word from the LORD is like one inflated to the point of bursting. Here is the Apostle imparting his vision of the mystery of Christ. As Christian Believers, we are saved by Him and for His sake. For His sake, the Father takes away our sin and imparts new life by the indwelling of Christ’s Spirit. Holiness is a natural outcome that, remarkably, many people spend a lifetime resisting. 
    Why do we resist holiness? Perhaps because the enemy deceives us into thinking of holiness in human terms. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you imagine a particularly holy person? How do you measure yourself against them? Do you think, “I could never be like that”? Now, be honest with yourself and the LORD and deeply consider what holds you back. Is it that you would rather not pay the price to be like them? When you consider their lifestyle and sacrifices, it seems like more than you could bear. Satan’s deception is at work. Remember his words to Eve in the Garden. After she told him the truth of God’s expectations regarding the fruit from the tree of death, Satan twisted the meaning of God’s expectations so that it seemed that God was unfair and expecting too much. (Genesis 3)
      What if God’s expectations for our holiness align with a standard we have not seen? Consider these words of Paul  “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29) First, he states that we are no longer sons and daughters of our earthly parents but children of God. It is a spiritual transformation that causes us to bear our heavenly parentage’s visible signs, just as our physical parents have passed traits down through the generations. When we see ourselves in the mirror or a photo, we recognize our ancestors in the image. What if holiness is seen in the mirror too? Paul said we are clothed in Christ. Here’s some excellent news! The LORD tailored your clothes for you and mine for me. What if the LORD patiently oversees our transformation, day-by-day as we become just what He wants us to be?
     Paul says that what we are becoming is what we were meant to be since before time began. As creatures made in the image of the Creator, we strive to return to that image, it is the holiness we seek. Holiness then is not outward piety or presumptuous moral superiority but constant attention to the condition of one’s soul. It is the sign emerging from ever-increasing love for God. It is not about words and deeds but attitudes and vision. Holiness changes the way we see things and feel about them. Grace, mercy, and compassion are outward signs of holiness. Holiness is most evident in the absence of pride, anger, and idolatry. Therefore, to become the God-envisioned version of yourself, you must be clothed in Christ and confirmed the garment He tailor-made for you. It covers your sin and reveals the LORD’s highest hopes for you.