holiness

"we've become so intoxicated with 'God is Love' that we forget God is holy and, then, our sin becomes tame."

this was the topic of a sermon at church a few weeks ago. it has had me thinking everyday since i heard it. the preacher was talking about holiness... about pursuing it and the evidence of it.

other talking points i haven't forgotten:
-"to not pursue holiness is to receive hollowness"

-"we're not called to live impure lives, but to live holy lives."

-"holiness is an inclination of the heart towards God- a divorce from all that's impure."

-"a transformed life is the clearest evidence for Christianity."

why does this hit me so hard? i think i've got it down to the fact that this year is the year i've learned about sin... i've learned about the complete weight and heaviness of it- the devastation of it. so much of what i had been taught was of how much God loves me and how He works for good that the greatness and variety of His character was lost beyond His love. i was so blinded by His love that my sin became almost minor which is so, so off. i now grasp how significant each sinful act is because of how much it hurts God... how it makes just no sense to invite Satan into a place where God lives through my sinful acts. okay, i get it.

this has NOT been an easy lesson. and i know i haven't fully learned it. it has been a painful year to gain a grasp on my sin. i'm still figuring out some pieces. so where does it leave me?

it leaves me with a better grasp on the mercy and grace i've been handed. it leaves me with tears of grattitude because of the eternal goodness i've been promised. and it leaves me with something to strive for.

holiness.
i'm striving for a lifestyle that is not simply "good" because i've followed the set of rules for the day, but for a lifestyle that rejects my sinful nature by seeking His face. i know i will fail. i know i will have some better days than others. but it leaves me hopeful that my attempt is more effective than living a complacent life of sin.