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Pastor's Blog February 20, 2020
"How To Make Myself Holy?"
{Scroll over scripture reference to read the scripture or reference.
Last week we looked at the role which Jesus and the Holy Spirit play in our repentance. In this week's reflection, we examine the relationship between repentance and the Christian life. In any conversation among believers concerning repentance and "living a Christian life," the question arises sooner or later, "Okay, but how do I go about being a better person? How am I supposed to start living the way God wants me to?"
What stands behind the question is usually a twofold belief: 1) whatever repentance is, it must be what will cause me to be holy; and 2) I don't know how to make myself be holy, so maybe if I try really hard I'll somehow start being holy. But the fascinating truth is that repentance isn't the CAUSE of us living changed lives, but rather it is the sign that we ALREADY are living changed lives!
Ellen points out in "Steps to Christ" that repentance is longing for pardon from sin and a desire for purity of heart: basically, "to be restored to harmony and communion with God" (13; 1977 edition). On a human level, this is a tall order! It is one thing to recognize the holiness of God's law and the rightness of obeying God, but it is quite another thing entirely to somehow will yourself to change from the inside and make yourself come into alignment with God's priorities and God's character! But Ellen makes clear that this kind of repentance "is beyond the reach of our own power to accomplish; it is obtained only from Christ, who ascended up on high and has given gifts unto men" (14).
For those who think that they need to clean themselves up with repentance before they can come to Jesus or obey God, Ellen reminds them repeatedly that only Jesus can make them clean (14-15). Continually using themes from Ephesians 4:7-13 and Romans 2:4, she makes clear that Jesus is the great Pardoner (which is the first part of repentance) as well as the great Empowerer (which is the second part of repentance) - and this means that, from first to last and everywhere in between, repentance only comes from Jesus and never from us (14-15)!
Friend, do you long for forgiveness AND power to live a Christian life? Seek it in friendship with Jesus. Get lost focusing on Jesus, instead of focusing on your own so-called "power" or "ability" to live a godly life.
(*) Steps to Christ 1977 edition; Chapter 2, “The Sinner’s Need of Christ”
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
