Holiness in an Ugly World

Almost done with the lesson from the book The Pursuit of Holiness!

John 17:15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

We’re stuck in an evil world. Some of us have it worse than others: kids in some colleges, some work environments, war zones. Unless we’re prepared for the world’s assaults, we’ll find it hard to maintain personal holiness. But we aren’t to hide. The Bible says we are to be salt and light to the world, all the while resisting its influence. One way is to identify ourselves openly with Christ! This will spare us a lot of temptation.

But we’re still going to be surrounded by a lot of second hand smoke! So the Bible, daily, is our best defense.

Little verses like these 2 can be memorized:

Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Proverbs 27:20 Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.

But more than being on the defensive we have to be concerned with other’s destinies. As lights of the world, Christians bring the good news. We don’t do this by denouncing their sins. Our lives should be a sufficient rebuke. And we should b more interested in their need of Jesus Christ as their Savior than their sins. We’re sinners too. It’s not up to us to point out other’s sins. We all need Christ. That’s what we know! That’s what we share!