Are You Exhausted by Your Own Efforts?

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ … 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 1:13-16).

You may feel as though you have completely exhausted all your efforts to be holy. You have failed so many times and this is your last chance. But God is not telling you to be holy in the same way he is, because obviously you are not deity. God is not saying, “Look at me and try your best in your own power to be like me.” No — and this is glorious — he is declaring that you “shall be holy” in the same way he declared, “Sun, glow in space. Earth, be formed. Water, fall upon the Earth.” The same way he created the heavens and the Earth — by speaking it into existence — is how he is speaking your holiness into existence.

God is not saying to you, “Let’s see how good you can be.” It is not like that at all. He is saying, “I declare that you will be holy. I am speaking into existence that you are holy. I am making you like me. I have given you my Word that remains forever — and it is power. It is life! It is joy! It is victory! And I am putting it all into you.” 

God is not inviting you to try to live a consecrated life; he is speaking these words over you. It may take some time and there may be some storms and battles with the flesh, but you will experience a progressive sanctification. He is making you holy! That should fill you with joy and hope. Be encouraged and inspired with perfect confidence that God is for you and not against you.