I know I have a part to play in this thing called faith. I know that the Bible says:
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 1:15-16, NLT).
But as strange as it sounds, I looked up the word “be”. There were a number of definitions and uses, but the one that fits its use in the Scripture above would be the same as used in the phrase, “Be careful” or “Be happy”.
The Mirriam-Webster Dictionary says that “be” is used to describe the identity of a person or thing; or used to describe the qualities of a person or thing; or used to describe the condition of a person or thing.
Identity. Qualities. Condition.
Holy.
Because of Christ, my identity is holy. I have been chosen (you have been, too) to be set apart as an instrument of grace, to bring glory and honor to the One who did this for me. I am a child of God. That is my identity. I am BEING holy.
Because of Christ, the Holy Spirit of Christ now dwells within me. I am being transformed from glory to glory into the image of Christ. It is no longer I that live but Christ who lives in me. I am no longer comforming to the pattern of this world but my mind is being renewed (little by little). I have the mind of Christ. If you are a follower of Jesus, you do too! I am not perfect. But I’m not who I used to be. The old is gone and the new has come. Those are my qualities. I have Christ dwelling within me. I am BEING holy.
Because of Christ, I eternally reside in the Kingdom of God. I have a home in heaven that awaits me. It will be glorious, to be sure. But that’s not all. Eternal life happen in the here and now! I am a participant in the divine nature of God! I get to watch God work in me and in the lives around me! No matter what happens to me or the world around me, I know that the Kingdom is unstoppable and unshakeable. No matter what Fox News or any other report says, in spite of the world around us, God’s Kingdom is not in trouble. The ending has been written! It’s victorious, and despite what happens in my world today or tomorrow, I am victorious, too! Unshakeable. That’s my condition. I am BEING holy.
The part I have to play in this journey of faith is to “be.” BE holy. Because of Christ, you and I are.
Good News indeed!
FaithOnTheRoadAgain 
Tim – U’re quickly becoming my 2nd favorite morning word. (maybe 3rd, if my wife wakes up before I read U’re post)
For most of my life, I thought “HOLY” was something I had to “become “. Unfortunately, my focus was always on what and why I wasn’t. “I don’t….” “I must stop…” “Why do I keep…” “Why can’t I…”
I finally reached the end… I finally admitted I couldn’t – I’d NEVER measure up. I’d NEVER become holy enough. A very dark place was pulling hard.
…And God said: “FINALLY!!! U’re right where I want U!” “NOW I can begin to teach U what U already ARE!”
He’s delivering(ed) me from my religion of “performancism” and teaching me about His Love and Grace. I HAD NO IDEA!! I thought I did, but – I DIDN ‘T HAVE A CLUE! HOW HE Loves me. HOW UNCONDITIONAL is His Grace!
http://itreallyisjustthatsimple.com/2014/04/16/how-god-loves-meus/
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It sounds like you are in the same place I am. I have spent the past 18 years living performance–Christianity. How very tiring it is!
It is so freeing to know that the love of God is not based on my performance. I can’t believe the freedom I now have! I feel like I’m out in left field all alone, though. All my friends are where I used to be. Even my wife is having a hard time understanding. But she said last night that I seem to have a peace about me that I’ve never had before. Praise God!
But the love of God that I now feel has made me fall in love with him all over again. Living for him becomes almost automatic. Yes, I fail… nearly every day. But my dependence on him grows more and more every day, too.
Blessings to you as you walk in freedom!
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My wife is just now joining me in this journey. A coupl’a years ago, on one of our road trips, we walked across the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado. She joined me! She’s afraid of heights, and the river is 1000′ below.
After we finished, The Lord used it to teach me about THIS journey He’s had me on.
At times in the past. 5-6 years, I’ve felt very alone. I’ve been resentful that she wasn’t “with” me. But God used it to teach me about how mucho co-decency was controlling me. He taught me I had to rely on HIM! Alone!
Now He’s bringing me guys like U! As I said the other say, it’s like Ur heart is beating in my chest. U’re reading my mind. U’re a gift from God to me. My Brother!
The other morning, I realized that my wife’n I are walking together, hand in hand and heart to heart. And listen to what I told her – “Honey, we’re standing in the middle of the bridge, and we’re dancing!”
LuvU,Bro! ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!!
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Follow up on my previous comment: I did keep getting clues, because I have re-read some old journals and found where God kept trying to show/tell me. But I never “got it”. So He finally had to take a 2×4 to my ego. He finally got “me” outa the way. He is RELENTLESSLY FAITHFUL!!
http://itreallyisjustthatsimple.com/hotel.ego
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