Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:3-4
Comment
God wants us to be free in Christ AND Holy like Jesus. He’s given us the Holy Spirit to help us on this journey. The trouble is sometimes it’s not so easy to spot the habits we may have been drawn into which may be unholy and bad for our relationships. Why? It may be to do with relativism.
I didn’t know what relativism meant until I read John Stott’s ‘Radical Disciple’ recently. Relativism is ‘a belief in changeable standards.’ It thrives when we look at what other people are doing and say: it’s OK to do that because others are doing it. We can become like lemmings whether we are a believer or not. Examples are pornography, drinking too much alcohol regularly or materialism funded by uncontrolled debt.
Spend a moment considering where the Holy Spirit might help you in your quest for holiness. Is there anything you need to change?
Prayer (as a couple)
Father God, thank you for the example of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to be become more like you. Show me what needs to change, help me to make the right choices and to see them through – in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Consider taking a period of silence to listen to God, then share your insights, encourage and pray for one another.
Prayer (for others)
Dear Father, we pray for …. and …. We pray that they will make wise choices and become more like you. We pray that their desire for holiness will be greater than the desire to please or be like others. Holy Spirit – Fill them and guide them we pray. Amen
Final quote
“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15 NIV)
