OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST BRINGS HOLINESS
Colossians
1:9-10
…we
have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge
of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in
order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord…
Scripture
does not only show the principle of holiness, but also that Christ is the way
to it. Because the Father has reconciled us to himself in Christ, therefore he
commands us to be conformed to Christ as to our pattern.
The Lord has adopted us to be his children on this
condition that we reveal an imitation of Christ who is the mediator of our
adoption. Scripture accompanies its exhortations with the promise of God’s
countless blessings and of our all-embracing salvation.
Therefore, since God has revealed himself as a Father,
we would be guilty of the basest ingratitude if we did not behave as his
children.
Since Christ
has purified us through the baptism in his blood, we should not become defiled
by fresh pollution.
Since Christ
has united us to his body as his members, we should be anxious not to disgrace
him by any blemish.
Since Christ,
our Head, has ascended to heaven, we should leave our carnal desires behind,
and lift our hearts upward to him.
Since the
Holy Spirit has dedicated us as temples of God, we should exert ourselves not
to profane his sanctuary, but to display his glory.
Since both
our soul and body are destined to inherit an incorruptible and never-fading
crown, we should keep them pure and undefiled till the day of our Lord.
Such are the best foundations for a proper code of
conduct. Philosophers never rise above the natural dignity of man.