Living Holy in a Chaotic World: A Call to Radical Love and Distinctiveness
In a world that seems to be spiraling into ever-increasing chaos, where headlines of violence, division, and fear dominate our newsfeeds, how are followers of Christ meant to respond? The answer, perhaps surprisingly, is not found in adding to the cacophony of voices or retreating into isolation. Instead, it lies in a radical call to holiness – a call that challenges us to live distinctively in a way that reflects the transformative power of the gospel.
The concept of holiness often conjures images of sterility, boredom, or even sanctimonious behavior. But true biblical holiness is far from these misconceptions. The Greek word "hagios," translated as "holy," literally means to be set apart or morally pure for God. This holiness is both a state of being – who we are in Christ – and a way of living for Christ.
When we come into a saving relationship with Jesus, we are instantly set apart. As Hebrews 10:10 reminds us, "We have been made holy through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ once for all." This is not something we earn or achieve through our own efforts, but a gift given to us through faith in Christ's finished work on the cross.
Yet, this gift of holiness also comes with a challenge. We are called to "be holy, because I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16, quoting Leviticus). This command might seem impossibly daunting – how can we possibly live up to God's standard of holiness? The key lies not in striving for perfection through our own strength, but in continually turning our gaze to the cross.
The price Jesus paid on the cross sets the pattern for our lives of holiness. When we consider the immense sacrifice of Christ – the precious blood shed for our redemption – our response should be one of gratitude, not guilt. This gratitude becomes the wellspring from which our pursuit of holiness flows.
But what does holy living look like in practice? It's not about isolating ourselves from the world or maintaining a façade of perfection. Rather, it's about demonstrating a sincere, sacrificial love for others that stands in stark contrast to the self-centeredness of our culture.
Jesus himself said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). This love is not based on political affiliations, economic status, or religious performance. It's a love that compels us to enter into the pain and suffering of others, just as Christ did for us.
In a world marked by division, the church is called to be a community that bridges divides through radical love. We are to "weep with those who weep" and "bear one another's burdens" (Romans 12:15, Galatians 6:2). This kind of love is the truest evidence that Christ still reigns and is actively working in our world.
The pursuit of holiness also requires us to examine our habits and appetites. Peter uses the imagery of newborn infants crying out for milk to illustrate the hunger we should have for God's word and His presence in our lives. Just as babies don't need to be convinced to eat, our desire for spiritual nourishment should be a natural outflow of our new life in Christ.
This hunger for holiness necessitates putting down the "poisons" that hinder our spiritual growth – things like malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. We cannot simultaneously drink from the pure milk of the gospel and indulge in these destructive behaviors. The choice is ours to make daily.
As we pursue holiness, we must remember that we are "strangers and exiles" in this world (1 Peter 2:11). Our true citizenship is in heaven, and this should shape how we live and interact with the culture around us. We are called to be distinctively different – like rocky road ice cream in a world of vanilla.
This doesn't mean being weird or off-putting. Rather, it means living in such a way that others become curious about the hope we have. Our lives should prompt questions and create opportunities for us to share the transformative power of the gospel.
The world doesn't need a perfect church – such a thing doesn't exist this side of eternity. What it desperately needs is a holy church. A church made up of ordinary, imperfect people who have been redeemed and set apart by the extraordinary grace of God. A church that demonstrates authentic community, quick forgiveness, unity amidst diversity, generosity, and compassion.
In times of global uncertainty and societal upheaval, the church has a unique opportunity to shine brightly. Not by having all the answers or winning arguments, but by embodying the love and hope of Christ in tangible ways. We are called to be a contrast community – broken yet redeemed, imperfect yet being made new, ordinary yet transformed by an extraordinary God.
As we navigate the complexities of our current cultural moment, let us remember that our primary calling is not to be vocal, but to be holy. May our words and actions be so saturated in the love of Christ that they stand out amidst the noise. May we be a people who have truly "tasted and seen that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8) and whose lives invite others to do the same.
In a world hungry for hope and authentic connection, let us be that "rocky road in a land of vanilla" – distinctively different, compellingly loving, and unwaveringly committed to the transformative power of the gospel. For it is in this holy living, empowered by the Spirit and rooted in God's love, that we find our truest purpose and the world finds its greatest hope.