Walking With Jesus (Repentance)نموونە

Pretending to be holy

It is hard to find a godly life in this world. People live by their values and ignore God's will. Life is different because doing what God wants becomes a subject of ridicule and pretentiousness. Holiness has less meaning as it is limited to within the church's walls and God’s servants, and not everyday life. It is a logical consequence of someone's decision to live for God - that he will suppress his desires and flesh to please the Lord.

If we look at it from a Biblical point of view, true believers have to live according to their beliefs. It would be strange to keep living to satisfy their desires. It would be strange to keep living to seek their pleasures. On the other hand, it is natural for God's children to live as God lives. It is natural for the King's children to live like royal citizens. It is not strange if we live to glorify God and give thanks to Him.

Indeed, as a result of sin, people want to live for themselves and refuse to submit to God. Man is more willing to obey the desires of the flesh (cf. Rom. 1:25-31). As a result, what should be abnormal, such as lesbianism, gayness, and other deviant behaviors is considered a natural phenomenon that must be understood by people. Things that are true and divine are considered strange. People reject them and even consider them as foolish things.

That's the weirdness that happens in this world. However, in the midst of all that, let us not be shaken and get tired of telling the truth. The chosen people should live in the truth. Christ has saved and redeemed us from sin and foolishness. Let us not live to belittle and demean His works by living as we please. We do not live righteously because we are self-righteous but because the Lord has justified us. We do not live in holiness because we pretend to be holy but because the Lord has sanctified us.

Reflection:

1. Have you ever been considered someone who pretends to be holy or righteous? In what ways are you considered that way? Is what people think about you true?

2. How can you still live righteously in this evil world?

Practice: Dare to live a "strange" life by doing the right thing and keep living a decent life as it should be.