Olga is delighted to discover grace. She learns that she shines with the complete holiness of Christ Himself. This is true because God applies all His Son’s virtue to her since she is “in Christ.” Learning this, Olga praises God!
Yet, as time goes by, Olga remains a spiritual baby. Grace seems easy to accept, but change sounds too difficult. So Olga keeps her old weaknesses and makes few changes. She needs to hear Scripture’s other way of speaking about holiness. Though we receive perfect holiness, we also pursue holiness as an ongoing activity.32 “Strive… for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 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 1:14-16).33 M
Olga tends to avoid such Scriptures. She feels that “effort” goes against grace. In her mind, it somehow de-emphasizes God’s gift. “Obedience” threatens her worldly lifestyle and restricts her personal freedom. So Olga highlights only grace in her Bible studies. But God is indeed gracious, and He soon confronts her with Titus 2.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age (Titus 2:11-12). M
Heaven’s grace trains us how to live on earth! Olga finally accepts that the same God who speaks of grace also speaks of change. While depending fully on grace, and emphasizing all its joy, Olga resolves to let grace teach her. The lessons of grace challenge her to make difficult choices. They require determined effort. She struggles to develop new habits and friendships. But the Spirit uses this hard training to mature her in ways she never thought possible.
CHRIST IN YOU CAUSES YOU TO SHINE AS HOLY LIGHT!
32. Cf. Hebrews 10:14, which says, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” This passage shows both sides of Christ’s work. On the one hand His death has already given perfection. The verb form of “has perfected” is perfect active, which means the action has been completed. On the other hand, those who have received this completed perfection “are being sanctified.” This verb form is a present passive participle, which shows that the change to holiness is ongoing. This change – often called “sanctification” – requires our cooperation, Hebrews 12:10-11, 12:14; 1 Peter 1:14-16 cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Revelation 22:11. That is why we are told to “perfect holiness” so that God’s light shines in all our relationships and habits, 2 Corinthians 7:1 cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13; 5:23. “Sanctified” means set apart for God’s special use or made holy. Word forms of “holy” and “sanctify” often translate the same Greek word, from which the word “saint” also comes. See Matthew 23:17,19; 27:52; John 17:17,19; Acts 9:13,32; 20:32; 26:10,18; Romans 1:7; 15:16,25-26,31; 1 Corinthians 1:2,30; 6:11; 7:14; 14:33; 2 Corinthians 13:13; Ephesians 1:1,15; 2:19; 4:12; 5:26; 6:18; Philippians 1;1; Colossians 1:2,4,12; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:3-4; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:5; 2 Timothy 2:21; Hebrews 2:11; 9:13; 10:10,14,29; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2; 3:15; Jude 1:1,3,14; Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4; 14:12; 19:8; 20:9.
33. Peter quoted from Leviticus 11:44-45.
Research Subjects
- Dawn
- Jesus as light against darkness
- Spiritual blindness
- Christian fruit
- Persevering
- Glad obedience
“God is light” – pure and holy goodness. When Jesus enters us, His light shines in and through us. God no longer sees us as full of darkness, but full of pure light. Our life shines the goodness of God for those around us. More than just finding out certain facts, our faith leads us to treat Jesus as our Lord. We actively submit to His revealed will. As we submit, He transforms us and shines more brightly through us. None of this amounts to us trying to save ourselves by our good works. Rather, in faith, we always depend on God’s grace. We give Him the credit and the thanks for brightening our lives and for shining blessings on others.
Memory Verses
- John 1:14,18 – And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.… No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
- 1 John 1:5 – This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
- John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- Acts 26:17-18 – … I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God…
- Ephesians 5:8 – … for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light….
- Matthew 5:16 – In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
- Ephesians 5:15-16 – Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
- 1 Peter 1:14-16 – As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 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.”
- Titus 2:11-12 – For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.
Glorious Father, great and holy! Thank You that I can come into Your presence now. You are awesome – the Creator of all in heaven and earth. Your eye is too pure to look on evil. Yet, small and weak as I am, You welcome me as Your own holy child. Because of Jesus, You count me as pure and perfect. I just want to praise You for shining on me and through me…
Picture: “Highlighting grace.”