Holier than Thou Attitudes

What Does It Mean to Be Holy

Don’t you just hate people who demonstrate a “holier than thou” attitude? 

Only problem is that we are commanded to be holy even as Jesus is holy. God's Word says it many places, so apparently this is required and even possible. So how can this be?

I’m pretty sure many people have the wrong idea of what “holy” should be and the devil has played up this misconception to the hilt. We are taught that holy means sinless and without spot or wrinkle, perfect in every way. This is something we can never hope to achieve. Only Jesus himself holds the “perfect” title. In some contexts of the scriptures, “holy” does indeed mean this, but the simplest meaning is “to be set apart.” In this context of the scripture, we are to be set apart to God and His purposes. We are to be in this world but not of it.

So getting back to the “holier than thou,” we are not to be walking about with our heads in the clouds and losing touch with what is going on around us. We are to be citizens of heaven in a foreign country on our best behavior. Keep in mind that your REAL boss is our Father in Heaven and we are totally accountable to Him.

The most important way to obtain holiness is to allow Jesus Christ to be your Personal Lord and Savior, thereby putting on His perfectness and totally setting your heart and life aside for God's purposes alone. This alone makes us holy in God’s eyes.

So how do we apply this to our everyday lives? Perhaps by holding our tempers when we normally wouldn't, or spending more time in the Bible and less time watching TV, or giving our employers the full eight hours they are paying us for working. What is important is that we do not look or think like the world. Can the people around us, where we work and play tell that we are different or do we just blend in? Do our actions cause those around us to wonder what we have and how do they get it, or do they notice us at all? Let us walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:13-16)

With the Love of Christ,
Pastor Suzie 

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