It would have been better . . . not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs. (2 Peter 2:21)
There are only two directions in which our lives can progress. One is toward God, becoming ever more like him. The other is away from God and his likeness. It is impossible to live between those two paths. Eventually, you will take one or the other. Those who remain on the fence about this choice are easy pickings for the devil and for false teachers who present an anti-Christ message and lifestyle. If we are not intentional about this, we will certainly move further away from him and his holiness.
We are to grow deeper into Christ and his character. We are to become holy disciples of Jesus, not merely shallow believers in him. We cannot save ourselves or make up our own righteous way; we must embrace or pursue the holy way of living that Jesus offers us. To refuse to do so puts us in the same condition of the church at Laodicea: lukewarm (Rev. 3:14–17). God would rather see us hot or cold in our relationship with him. Lukewarm faith or fence-sitting grieves him.
Thankfully, we can become holy. Either God gives us the power to lead a holy life through the presence and help of his Holy Spirit, or his Word is false. And God’s Word cannot fail. God’s holiness is readily available to all. Embrace it with all you have!
Take your spiritual temperature today.
Jim Dunn is the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He previously served as the executive director of the Church Multiplication and Discipleship Division for The Wesleyan Church.
© 2023 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
