Hi
What’s your status? On December 1, in many spaces around the world, people are encouraged to know their status. These days, the test is easy – with the possibility of getting same day results. HIV and AIDS is no joke. Of course, we tend to think of status as something we wish to share with the world via social media; but today’s Holy Nougat invites us to consider a different kind of status.
“This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 1:1 NLT
If status is defined as,
the relative social, professional, or other standing of someone or something
then, we could say we have a great spiritual status. The irony is that although holiness is a great status to possess; many of us have a hard time accepting that descriptor over our lives. In some circles, being called ‘Holy’ is like a curse. And we are tempted into DENIAL of that which God has gifted us. In other circles, it is understood that there is none Holy, but Christ. And we are denied access to the inheritance we’ve been gifted by God. But that’s not right either.
For in Christ, we are called to lives of Holiness. A people who recognize our worth as children of God and heirs to the promise. It is that understanding which sets us apart for faithful living in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
For it is not a matter of others’ opinion – we will forever find cause to criticize our lives. Perhaps rightly so. For although holiness does not mean blameless; the two are often conflated; as the Fact of the Crucifixion presents us blameless before God. It really is not about us.
What then, is about us?
Our response to the offer of relationship with Jesus. We are the only ones who can determine what that looks like. For even in the giving of the gift is holiness, is the element of choice. We have the opportunity to say no. We can choose to be faithful (albeit with the knowledge that we are still by nature sinful); or not. That truly is OUR choice.
And no one else’s.
Let’s be proud of our spiritual status and live accordingly.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
