City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

The life of Christ is the holiness of Christ. The reason we so often fail in the pursuit of holiness is that the old life, the flesh, in its own strength seeks for holiness as a beautiful garment to wear and enter heaven with. It is the daily death to self out of which the life of Christ rises up.

Andrew Murray – Holy in Christ

Reflection

As James says, faith without works is dead (James 2:20). We have been created by God to do good and to be an example of holiness to all around us. This goes back to the third commandment, where it says that we are not to take God’s name in vain (Exodus 20:7). We mostly think that taking God’s name in vain is to use it in a derogatory way such as a cuss word, but that’s not the main point of the commandment. If we are to represent God on this earth as a Christ follower, we need to do so by living in such a way that glorifies God. Living a rebellious life while proclaiming to be a Christian is taking God’s name in vain. It is tarnishing it amongst the nations and misrepresenting who God is.

Though, living a life that glorifies God is not easy. Andrew Murray points out that we often try to live our lives as holy through our own power. We want our good works to look good on the outside, but it ends up hiding the evil thoughts inside. Without our hearts set on Christ and dying daily to ourselves, we cannot live a holy life. You have to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to live like Christ and let God bring His glory out from you.

No one can live a holy life without relying on God’s power and His Holy Spirit. By living such a way, you will show true good works that others will see and it will point them to Jesus.

Application

Take the time today in your prayers and devotion to understand what it means to die to yourself and to live in Christ. Living a holy life that is set apart from this world requires the power of the Holy Spirit. We have to trust in God for Him to be glorified through us. Remember that Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden is light. All we need to do is to lean on Him and He will lead us into good works and a light for His kingdom on this earth.

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to guide me through this life. I cannot do good in my own power, even though I try often to do so. Please help me to rely on Your Holy Spirit for good works and to be a shining light in this world. Let me daily die to myself so I can live in Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.