Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how we must fight for holiness, which John Piper defines as a practical matter as "believing the promises of future grace" as the source for all good works that we do in service of a God we love. Piper sees this as a critical battle, hoping that we avoid Christ's words from Matthew 7:23 and Romans 8:13 where He admonishes those who never truly believed in Him and instead lived according to the flesh (vs the Spirit). This path leads of course to damnation. On the other hand, if we believe in the sanctifying power of grace to provide all that we need, we demonstrate ourselves to be fully reliant on God. Piper points us to 1 Peter 4:11, Romans 15:18, and 1 Corinthians 15:10 as examples of text that support how we can fight for holiness and maintain complete reliance on Him. Piper wraps this devotion by sharing: "[m]oment by moment, grace arrives to enable us to do “every good work” that God appoints for us. “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8)." See also this post from DesiringGod.com. Seek and fight for holiness!
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good to me, and You give me Your Word, the Holy Spirit, the church, etc. so that I can arm myself for the fight for holiness. Thank You Jesus! Without You and the blessings You provide - I am unable to save myself from the prince of this world - Satan. I am undeserving of how You save, provide, and protect. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus. Help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
