Monday, June 4, 2007

Bits & Pieces: Personal Holiness (4)

"But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, 'In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.' These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life," (Jude 17--21).

* Throughout the New Testament the theme of these verses is echoed --- there should be a marked contrast between the life-style of the Christian and that of the world. And building ourselves up is an important part of personal holiness. We are to continually encourage ourselves and one another through rehearsing Scriptural truth.

* In drastic contrast to the ungodly perspective of the world system, believers' lives are to be characterized by holiness. And a key aspect of personal piety is self-encouragement.
Whatever adversity or temptation faces us, we need to rehearse God's truth, and act accordingly.

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