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08 Spiritual Spring Cleaning: What does the holiness lifestyle look like today?
Scripture Lesson for the day: Ephesians 4:17-5:21
What does the holiness lifestyle look like today?
- A holiness lifestyle today involves an important realization!
“With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused” (Ephesians 4:17, NLT).
What do Americans call sin today? (USA Today article and survey, 3/20/08)
- A holiness lifestyle today requires a discarding, a renewing and a putting on!
“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy”
(Ephesians 4:22-24, NLT).
- A holiness lifestyle today is displayed in how we treat other people!
“So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body…If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them…Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:25, 28-29, 31-32, NLT)
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TRUE OR FASLE: Holy living and social action go hand in hand.
“At this season [Christmas] we usually distribute coals and bread among the poor of the society [of London]. But I now considered, they wanted clothes, as well as food. So, on this, and the four following days, I walked through the town, and begged two hundred pounds in order to clothe them that needed it most. But it was hard work, as most of the streets were filled with melting snow, which often lay ankle deep; so that my feet were steeped in snow-water nearly from morning till evening”
(Quote from John Wesley’s journal at the age of 82).
A new opportunity to serve at NAFCON: Faith in Action Ministry
- A holiness lifestyle today includes our imitating God and being controlled by the Holy Spirit!
“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ...Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit”
(Ephesians 5:1-2a, 17-18, NLT).
Closing Challenge: We discover our challenge to live a holy life today in these passages, “Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy…Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children...For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true… So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those that are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days” (Ephesians 4:24, 5:1, 8-9, 15-16, NLT).
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