More On Loving God

I am about halfway through the book now. Here are some more thoughts that grabbed me:

"Salvation, therefore, is not simply a matter of being separated from our past and freed from our bondage to sin; salvation means also that we are joined to a holy God. By pitching His tent in our midst, God identifies with His people through His very presence. The reality of a 'God who is here' --- personal and in our midst --- is an extraordinary assurance, one which distinguishes the Judeo-Christian faith from all other religions.

But God demands something in return for His presense. He demands that we identify with Him --- that we be holy because He is holy. Holiness is not an option. God will not tolerate our indifference to His central command. What does this mean for us, then, in the real world in which we live every day? Holiness is the everyday business of every Christian. It evidences itself in the decisions we make and the things we do, hour by hour, day by day."

Charles Colson goes on to make several points on holiness specifically on how it translates into the everyday business of a Christian:

Holiness is obeying God --- loving one another as He loves us.
Holiness is obeying God --- even when it's against our own interests.
Holiness is obeying God --- sharing His love, even when it is inconvenient.
Holiness is obeying God --- finding ways to help those in need.
Holiness is obeying God --- consists in thinking as God thinks and willing as God wills.
Holiness is obeying God.

Wow! A lot for me to digest in just a few chapters but very timely indeed considering what God has asked our family to do in terms of being involved in the ministry of a church plant. Well, I'm off now to start my work day (the server was down at work earlier this morning, hopefully it is now fixed!). More reading tonight --- I'm sure.

"For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time — to show us His grace through Christ Jesus."
---2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

"So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy because I am holy.' "
---1 Peter 1:14-16 NLT