CGMI Above Only 20 September 2017, Devotional by Rev. M.E. Benson-Idahosa - Leading a Holy Life

Topic: Leading a Holy Life — Wednesday September 20, 2017.

Text: 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (NIV) and 2Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God ... "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord." Since we have these promises ... let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

The power to live a holy life stems from our understanding that in Christ, God has saved us from the power of sin and He has also made us holy in Christ. Our faith in what Christ has done for us purifies our hearts, Acts 15:9. Our understanding of the mercies of God should compel us to present ourselves to God as living sacrifices that are holy and acceptable unto Him, Rom.12:1. The grace of God is not supposed to allow us to continue in sin, but to make us victorious over all sin. Nobody that really understands the grace of God will desire to continue living in sin. He or she understands that God does not forgive us so that we continue in sin; we are forgiven so that we will fear or reverence Him (Psa.130:4) and as such, pursue holiness out of this reverence, as our text above says.

The only reason some believers are not leading holy lives is because they do not believe that it is possible to live holy. Remember that God is able to make all grace abound towards you so that you, always having all sufficiency in all things and at all times, can abound unto every good work, 2Cor.9:8. In Christ, God has given us all that pertains to life and godliness (2Pet.1:3) so we have the ability to live holy just like God. If we are willing to reach out to God for His grace in our time of temptation, He will surely grant it to us abundantly.

By the grace of God, you can say no to sin and can lay aside every weight that has been holding you down, Heb.12:1. By the grace of God, you will live victoriously above sin.

Prayer: I thank you, dear Father for the abundant grace that You have given me to lead a holy life and to live victoriously over sin.
 
Bible In One Year Reading Plan:  Ecclesiastes 4-6; 2 Corinthians 12

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CGMI Above Only Daily Devotional, was written by Most Rev. M.E. Benson-Idahosa, Archbishop of Church of God Mission International, CGMI.