Righteous Hunger


There is a saying that too much of something is not good for you. I’ve been told too much alcohol can make you drunk. This is true. I’ve been told too much smoking can cause cancer. That’s valid.  I’ve been told too much food can make you fat. I’m a witness to this fat fact. And, I’ve been told that too much Bible can make you crazy! Well, all things being equal, I guess that explains why so many who have a Bible don’t read it for fear of insanity. LOL!

Mother Theresa once said, "Our progress in holiness depends on God and ourselves, on God's grace and on our will to be holy." The apostle Peter made this statement in his letter to Christians living under great persecution and suffering; “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 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 1:14-16. Every Christian is called to live a life of holiness. Sadly, I've been guilty of desiring impressive results in my Christian life but only giving a half-hearted effort.

Christ-followers today lack a hunger for holiness—that’s insane. The definition of holiness is “separate from” or “purity.” Holiness makes you different than the crowd and you will be noticed by the way you live your life. For holiness to work it must be the everyday business of a Christ-follower. The proof that it’s working in your life can be seen in the decisions you make and the lifestyle you live, hour by hour, day by day. Andrew Murray said, "The starting point and the goal of our Christian life is obedience." In living obedience to God and His Word your life will become more holy. The goal to living a life of holiness is a process—a lifelong process. It won’t happen in a single moment of devotion but given to it you will mature spiritually and be set apart to be an instrument of His grace.

Some people never strive to become full-grown believers. They are on a spiritual diet—which is spiritual insanity. The first step of holiness is a willingness to be obedient. The end result of holiness is a fuller and deeper life with God. Jesus, as he began the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, put it this way: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Are you hungry? Stop the insanity!

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