“God made Jesus WHO HAD NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR US, so that in Him we might become THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) God gave Jesus, His PURE SINLESS SON, as a sin-offering so that we as Christians might be forgiven of our sins, “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 1:14-16)
Is it possible for us to live a holy life? “I urge you, brothers, and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, HOLY AND PLEASING TO GOD—this is your true and proper worship. Do not CONFORM to the pattern of this world (be the same as everyone else) but be TRANSFORMED (metamorphoō: to be divinely changed, the word metamorphosis comes from this) by the RENEWING of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve WHAT GOD’S WILL IS—His good, pleasing and PERFECT WILL.” (Romans 12:1-2) God’s greatest longing for us is that we can be TRANSFORMED from our sinful human nature, and partake of His GLORIOUS, PERFECT DIVINE NATURE. This means that our very nature, our very thoughts and inclinations can be transformed. We can go from absolute sinful wretches to PERFECT VESSELS OF GOD’S GLORY AND GOODNESS! There is no greater gift that exists in all of creation.
“Grace and peace be MULTIPLIED TO YOU in the knowledge (an intimate knowing of God) of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has GIVEN TO US ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GODLINESS, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us EXCEEDINGLY GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES, that through these you may be PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:2-4) “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, not on earthly things. For you died, and YOUR LIFE IS NOW HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then YOU WILL APPEAR WITH HIM in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham