Holy: Dedicated Service to God


As obedient children do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
(1 Peter 1:14-16)

Before I came to Christ, I was driven by my desires. I didn’t want to consider there might be a consequence for my behavior. I certainly didn’t want to believe there was an eternal hell, a place of punishment. I gave in to those wicked passions because of my rebellion against God. I could try to defend my actions, before I knew Jesus, as being due to ignorance, but it was a willful ignorance.
A definition of holy is, ‘dedication or devotion to the service of God.’ God knows I can never be as holy as Jesus, so why does he ask me to be holy like he is holy? Soon after being saved, I devoted my life to serving God and his Church. While striving to be holy, like the Lord is holy, I was drawn closer to him. That’s why he tells us to be holy, so we can be drawn closer to him. Besides, being holy is not the same as being perfect. I know I can never be perfect, but I can be holy. Even though I will never be ‘as holy’ as the Lord, that does not excuse me from trying.
My old life was filled with bad choices, large and small, either because I wasn’t paying attention to what was going on, or my willful rebellion against God. Now that I am in Christ, I will slip up and fail him but if I ask his forgiveness I have a clean slate. When I put on Christ, like a warm coat on a cold winter day, and abide in him I put on his holiness. Even though I will never be as holy as my savior, Jesus Christ, the Father sees only the holiness of his Son, so long as I abide [live] in Jesus.





Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
(Romans 12:12)

Lord God in heaven, we hold your name in reverent awe. We rejoice at the mention of your name. Thank you for giving us this confident expectation of a secure and blissful eternity with you. How does anything else measure up to what is most important to us. We are not like little children hoping for a grand birthday present, not knowing for sure if we’ll get it. You have promised us eternity with you. Since you always keep your promises, we know it will happen just the way you say it will. However, some kind of tribulation is usually knocking at our door. Sometimes it’s a minor trial that doesn’t test our patience but other times, we get worn pretty thin. We as that you help us be patient when the whole world seems to be falling in on us. Father keep us mindful that we should talk to you all through the day, every day. Don’t let us fall into a pattern of only praying to you when we need something. We love you, Lord, and want to have as close a relationship with you as possible. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!


Location: Kendall, NY 14476, USA

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