“He has saved us and called us to a holy life…”               2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

A Christian is someone whom God has called to live a holy life. That is what our text says, that God has saved us and called us to a holy life. These two actions of God are indivisible. They are not an either-or; this is a both-and, both saving us and calling us to live a holy life. We cannot choose the second as an option to add to the first, if we are so inclined. The first is indispensable, we must be saved. The second is indispensable too. If we are saved by God we are also summoned by God to live a blameless and godlike life. Holy living is not a suggestion from God, it is a call, an effectual call. If we go on living just as you always lived before we professed to become a Christian then we are mistaken in claiming to have been saved. The drunkard who claims to have been saved but goes on regularly getting drunk is unsaved. The God who has saved us has also called every one of the saved to live a holy life. It is utterly unthinkable to Paul that a professing Christian, saved from the condemnation of sin through the kindness of the love of God in sending his Son and not sparing him from the accursed death of the cross, should subsequently live for self! If a Christian is indeed justified by faith in the finished work of Christ alone, then they will inevitably demonstrate that faith by a life which is not merely moral but positively holy.

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord Jesus, let my daily living demonstrate a changed life.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, as we have been justified by faith in Your finished work alone, let our lives demonstrate that faith by a life which is not merely moral but positively holy. AMEN

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Matthew 6:16-24

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