Day 9 - A Holy Faith

Posted by Michael O'Neal

Hebrews 11:24-26 (NLT) 

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him.

Pursuing a life of faith is pursuing a lifestyle of holiness.  A defining moment happens to Moses when God captures his attention and calls him to lead His people out of Egypt.  Moses had to make a decision.  Would he identify with God’s people or remain with the godless people in Egypt?  Would he choose God’s path, leaving his abundant wealth and honorable status behind?  Obviously, the verses above reveal his decision.  Moses’ pursuit of faith was a decision to pursue holiness.  Faith and holiness go together like “rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong” (there’s your 1978 “Grease” quote for today). 

When Carrie (my wife) and I were dating, we read a book called The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges.  This thought-provoking book challenged us as college students to go after God’s standard for our lives.  Near the beginning of the book, Bridges writes about what God expects of every Christian:

“God has called every Christian to a holy life.  There are no exceptions to this call.  It is not a call only to pastors, missionaries, and a few dedicated Sunday school teachers.  Every Christian of every nation, whether rich or poor, learned or unlearned, influential or totally unknown, is called to be holy.  The Christian plumber and the Christian banker, the unsung homemaker and the powerful head of state are all alike called to be holy.” (22)

If you are going to pursue the path of faith, then you need to pursue a lifestyle of holiness.  Now the tough question:  What are you doing to pursue holiness?  If you are a Christian, then non-Christians should be able to see a radical difference between your lifestyle and their lifestyle.  Make a commitment today to be more like Moses, who found his pleasure in God rather than in “the fleeting pleasures of sin.”

PRAYER:  ”God, you are holy.  And though I could never be as holy as you, I want to be more like you.  I admit that the pleasures, comforts, demands, and temptations of this sinful world have distracted me from pursuing holiness like I should.  But today, lead me and guide me as I seek to be more holy whether I’m at home, at work, or on the softball field.  In the holy name of Jesus, Amen.”

POINT TO PONDER:  Pursuing a life of faith is pursuing a lifestyle of holiness.