Dec 18

There is debate and controversy within the church over just exactly what will happen at the end of this world and the timetable for all that will occur. But rather than focus on specific theologies of the end times, let us here note something that we can all agree on. That something is the necessity and God's call for us to live lives of holiness and godliness while we are here on the earth.

In Philippians 1: 10, Paul mentions the coming day of Christ, but concentrates his attention on what we are to do until that day comes. And what he says we are to do is to have our love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, in order that we may be pure and blameless on that day.

Hebrews 12:14 says that we are to strive for holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord. Whether it is on the last day, when Christ comes again and the whole world shall see his coming, or whether it is this day and we live by faith and not by sight, we are to strive after holiness. Those who do, in Christ, already live as though seeing him. That is why they pattern their lives after his. And his life was a life of holiness.

Scripture for today: Hebrews 12:14-29
Thought for today: Without holiness, no one shall see the Lord.
Prayer for today: Holy Spirit, continue your work of sanctification in my life, continue to purify not only my actions but my thought life that gives rise to my actions. I want to see Jesus.

DEC 18