in christ

Be Holy

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,


“but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””  1 Peter 1:15-16

What makes you holy?

The question recently came up in our morning men’s group. As usual, different sides of the same perspective presented many answers. Yet, what does the Bible teach us about holiness?

Yes God is holy. HE is separate and distinct from all creation. HE is perfect in character. HE is worthy of worship. HE is the ideal for us to reflect.

To be holy is to be set apart.

Who sets us apart?

Jesus Christ includes us with himself in HIS relationship with Papa God and the Holy Spirit. HE makes us holy. HE established the universal church for us to take part with HIM. HE opens the door for us to have fellowship with each other. HE lives in us and shares HIS life with us.

Since we are holy because of HIM, Peter instructs us to imitate HIM is our thoughts, words, and actions. We are to reflect HIS character in all the circumstances of life. We allow HIM to express HIS love and joy through us and for the sake of those around us. Our actions and attitude reflect HIS standard for human relations. We study the disciplines, principles, and teachings of Scripture.  This allows us to be more aware of HIS character in life situations.

To be holy is to mimic Jesus in your current surroundings. We act like Jesus because we allow HIM to live out HIS life in us and through us. We don’t behave because we have a certain idea of Jesus. We act out our behavior from the heart of Jesus allowing HIM to express HIMSELF through us.

This is what it means to be holy. Jesus sets us apart. We allow HIM to live out HIS life in us via the Spirit HE has given us. At the end of day, we reflect HIS holiness. The circle is complete. Holiness begins with Jesus. Lived out with Jesus. Reflects Jesus. Brings all glory and honor back to Jesus. This is the way to be holy – one with Jesus.    

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Christ in You

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

If you are in Christ, then Christ is in you!

What does that mean?

It means HE is alive and living out HIS life in and through you. If you allow HIM.

It means HE goes before you.

HE has your back.

HE walks along with you through the good times and the bad.

HE is present with you.

HE is available to directly communicate with you for wisdom and strategy. To share your pain and pleasure.

HE is rooting for you.

When you accept Jesus as your Lord and King, HE makes HIS entire domain available to you. HIS entire Kingdom is at your disposal.

As a child of God, HE is your elder brother. As HIS sibling, HE works with Father God and the Holy Spirit to help you grow and prepare for eternity.

You walk under the umbrella of HIS Kingdom. As you work along with HIM, you provide the effort and HE provides the grace.

You may give your best effort and fail. But HIS grace will support you through the process.

You will share your life with HIM and HE will share HIS life with you.

HE who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (I Jn. 4:4). You will defeat your demons. You will learn from the ordeal. You will mature through the process.

Yes, if Christ is in you, you have the riches relationship available to any human. You have humanity’s savior and king as your personal friend and teacher.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Weakness

Dr. Mike 2021 ,

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

In your weakness, you will discover more of who God IS and HIS power in your life.

Our human nature naturally despises weakness. We artificially put on facades to hide our shortcomings. We act tough when in reality inside we are little frighten kittens. When ask how are we, we immediately put on the smile and say everything is O.K. when we really want to hug someone and cry. We are naturally a shame of our weak condition.

Yet Paul writes here in the Book of 2nd Corinthians, plus in 1st Corinthians and Romans, as well as the writer of Hebrews, that when we are the weakest, we are privilege to witness God’s Spirit work in us and through us. In fact, he writes we should be boasting about our weakness so Christ’s power is manifested through us.

The Bible is loaded with examples. We see how Moses, who stuttered when he spoke, walked humbly with his God and led the people out of bondage. We read how even Jesus fasted for 40 days and physically was weaken from the ordeal but victoriously battled Satan in the desert, and Paul who personally writes how he asks God to remove a thorn from his flesh, but was told no so the pain would continue to remind him of his dependency on God.

Weakness is the natural cycle of life. As we all age, we decay. Our bodies slowly loose their tone, the eyes find it more difficult to see, hearing aids become the new fashion, and walkers the new vehicle of choice. Life leads us into a state of weakness.

In our youth, we are full of energy and feel invincible.  In our old age, we mellow out and realizing time is short; we learn to quick playing games and laugh at our shortcomings. We realize our time on earth is almost over and need to put our house in order. And yet we are at peace and look forward to each day as a gift from God. If only we had learned the joy of accepting our weaknesses much earlier in life.   

It took a while, but now we understand. So, the quicker we stop fighting to pretend and accept our weakest moments as the doorway for a more meaningful relationship with our Triune God, the better we will be for it. Life is a preparation for eternity; and weakness is the means to discover more of who God IS and HIS power in your life.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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