You are where you are because of holiness

We often go through life living selfishly, seeking "happiness" or "success," without stopping to ponder on the real purpose of life. And not just any life. I'm talking about our Christian life. Have you ever wondered, "What is my purpose? Right now? Right here?" 

What if I told you your purpose is holiness? Yes, holiness. What if I judged every action, every word, every thought, by how it will impact MY holiness?

I listened to a great sermon by John Piper quite a while ago and it's been whirling in my head ever since. (If you want to listen to the full sermon, check it out here: Healed for the Sake of Holiness) In his sermon, Piper explains how Jesus healed the man at the pool of Bethesda, not simply for the sake of physical healing, but  so that the man may come to know Him and turn from sin. The man was healed so that he may become holy.  (Holiness was also the topic we covered last week in my Spiritual Life online class at DTS so it's a topic that's been on my mind a lot lately.)

What is holiness, you ask? Holiness is complete separation. It is literally translated to mean "to set apart" or "to mark off." Holiness is complete separation from evil and sin. Usually, when we speak of holiness, we speak of God. God is holy. If I were to explain holiness to a 10-year-old kid, this is the word picture I would use:

The closet of a typical little girl is usually filled with lots of different dresses. There are the casual dresses that are worn every day. They tend to be more ragged, sometimes stained and always wrinkled. They often get tossed on the closet floor, where they get stepped on and kicked around. Those dresses can easily be thrown in the washing machine with the rest of the dirty laundry. However, in that same closet is a very different type of dress. Unlike the casual dresses that end up in the corner of the closet floor, this dress is kept in a tightly zipped garment bag. This dress is sparkly white, silky smooth and has never been worn. It is kept completely separate from the other clothes. It’s not a dress that can be worn to go to the park or to the zoo. It’s a dress specifically made to be worn to a wedding banquet. 

You see, this pretty white dress is like the holiness of God. Just like the pretty white dress is separate from the other dirty dresses in the closet, God is separate from all things that are dirty, broken and ordinary. To be holy means to be separate from all unclean things. Just like the pretty white dress that is clean, pure, and never been worn, God is also pure and clean. He does not get dirty with sin. He is different from ordinary people because he has extraordinary characteristics. He acts differently than people do. For example, God is perfectly loving and perfectly fair at the same time. Just like the pretty white dress that is meant to be worn only at a wedding, God has a different purpose than people do. Because God is holy, He also wants people to be holy. He wants people to be like that pretty white dress that is kept pure and separate from the rest of the dirty things.

I know, I know, it's a very elementary description of God and holiness, but hear me out. Reason with me. If God is holy and His Word states that we must be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:14-16: "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”), then everything that we say, do and think must aim toward holiness. The beautiful thing is that we cannot be holy on our own. Our holiness is completely dependent on the Holy One himself. His grace alone can make us holy. He brings holiness out of us. For that reason, He allows certain things to happen to us in order for those things to bring out holiness in us. Plainly speaking, God allows illness into our lives to bring about holiness. God allows health into our lives to bring about holiness. You see, it's the same answer for everything. Singleness - for holiness. Marriage - for holiness. Suffering - for holiness. Joy - for holiness. Unemployment - for holiness. Wealth - for holiness. Children - for holiness. Infertility - for holiness. And the list can go on forever.

God knows what each person needs in order for that person to be holy. For one person, it may mean that he or she needs to be married. For another person, it means he or she needs to be single. And so on. In all cases, God desires to bring about holiness. In me. In you. It is only in holiness that we are united with God.

Even in the Old Testament, (I'm reading through Leviticus right now), God allows the nation of Israel to experience war, famine, captivity, etc. to bring about holiness in His people. God is not sending calamity upon His people because He hates them and wants to see them struggle. Instead, He does so because loves them and wants them to look up to the Lord, recognize their dependence on Him and turn away from their false idols. God wants His people to be separate from the world and united with Him in perfect holiness.

Are you thinking this way? Are you considering the situation you're in right now as a means toward the greater end of holiness? Or, are you complaining about your plight? Are you blaming God for the situation, or are you thanking Him for working on you, your character, your holiness?

Simply giddy

Giddy. Yes, giddy.  That's how I would describe my current state. I'm simply giddy.

I started my first class at DTS this week! Granted it's online, but still. I'm officially a Dallas Theological Seminary student! It's beyond exciting. The class is PM101 - Spiritual Life and our first assignment was to post a little autobiography about ourselves and then respond to other students. I'm fascinated with each person's story! Each person comes from such a different background and yet at some point in life, God stepped in and flipped their world upside down. Most of the students that have already posted their autobiographies became Christians later in life, usually during their college years. I was especially inspired by the autobiography of one student. She was born into a very well-educated Hindu family. She became a Christian as a senior in college and is only one of two people in her whole family to be a believer. What a story of courage! When writing my own autobiography I realized how exceptionally blessed I am to be born into a Christian home and be brought up in a nurturing church of believers. It's truly humbling. Because I grew up in this Christian Slavic Sacramento bubble I don't think I really valued my upbringing and community enough. We are so privileged to grow in faith and spiritual maturity with such a "cloud of witnesses."

I'm also super excited about my upcoming move to Dallas. DTS has this housing website that I equate to Match.com because it matches you with people who you are most compatible with (roommate-wise). I've had my profile on the site for almost a week and today was the first time I got an email from a possible roommate. Being the "investigator" that I am, I checked her out on Facebook and she looks like such a fun and laid-back person. I may be jumping to conclusions way too quickly, but she seems like someone I'd get along with really well. I can't wait to see who I actually end up with! The excitement of it all is getting the best of me!

Here's what my profile sounds like... Do I sound like a cool person to live with?

 Bedtime: 12 PM
 Wakes up: 9 AM
 Security: Lock the apartment only when we are not home
 Conflict: Talk about things
 Sharing: I prefer to be asked for permission before sharing anything
 Cleaning: Usually orderly and clean (each clean our own mess) 
 Goes out: Once or twice a week
 Looking for someone who: Is outgoing
 I hope my @roommate and I: Be friends and spend some time together
 Have a significant other who will be around: No
 Smoking: No
I'm an incoming DTS student, relocating from Sacramento, CA. I will be studying Christian Education at DTS. I'm outgoing and can strike up a conversation with pretty much anyone. I love to be spontaneous, explore new places and try new food. I love coffee and hanging out in cool coffee shops. My ultimate passion is student ministry and teaching. I've been teaching a teen Bible class at my church for the past three years and I hope to continue working with high schoolers or college kids in the future! When it comes to my "home life," I tend to be a night owl, often staying up past midnight. But, I really like my sleep and even though I have to get up early right now because of work, if I get a chance to sleep in, I take it! My room tends to be fairly clean but never really spotless. When I'm at home, I'm usually more reserved and quiet. I like to have my alone-time to read, study, or write. I also like to cook and experiment with new ingredients and dishes. When it comes to others, I value honesty over every other virtue and really respect people who can tell me the truth even if it hurts. I would like to live in Washington Hall and am looking for an apartment-mate or even a roommate who I can be comfortable around and who shares some of the same interests. Hopefully that's you! Text me at (916)XXX-XXX if you are looking for a apartment-mate/roommate.