Don’t Forget To Look Out

By John C. Richards, Jr.
        

The mere mention of the word holiness invokes images of the heaven rending. Most people envision a picturesque scene depicting God high and lifted on a throne. Angels surround Him crying, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.” If we ever get to a point where we wrap our minds around the holiness of God, then like Isaiah, we’ll realize just how unworthy we are to be in His presence.

There’s also a flip side to this coin. Similar to the disciples in the first chapter of Acts (See Acts 1:10), we gaze upward toward heaven and see an ascending Christ. And in the same way, we are gently reminded: “Why do you stand gazing up into heaven?” (Acts 1:11)

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in God’s holiness that we forget God’s requirement for our own.

This is precisely what the disciples experienced on that day. They were so wrapped up in Jesus’ ascension and holiness they nearly forgot there was a Great Commission to carry out. They almost forgot the commission to live a holy lifestyle in an unholy culture. They nearly missed their destiny. The Gospel may have never reached the ends of the earth had the disciples failed to realize this:

While it’s important to look up, it’s just as important to look out.

Since the One who called us is holy, we are called to be holy in our conduct as well. Holiness is about being set apart, but not living apart from our society and culture. As Christians, we love the fact that we are set apart. Sometimes we love it a little too much. We separate ourselves from those whose beliefs and values don’t line up with our own. We find ourselves in little conclaves of safety, surrounded by others who believe the same things we believe. A little leaven leavens the whole lump, right? Why is it that we think about the negative impact others may have on us rather than the positive impact we may have on them?

The First Epistle of Peter puts it well: “Live an exemplary life [a life of holiness] among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.” (1 Peter 2:11 The Message). Did you see that? Our holy and exemplary lifestyle is to be lived among the natives. Your holiness isn’t just for you. Your holiness isn’t just for Sunday mornings. Your holiness isn’t just for Church conferences or retreats. Your holiness is for others outside of the faith to see, ultimately winning them over to God’s side. When was the last time your conduct won someone else over to God’s side?

As Christians, we should allow our lifestyles to become examples to those who have not embraced our values and faith. Maybe then we'll begin to impact a culture that is becoming increasingly hostile toward people of faith. Outsiders observing holiness in God’s people outside of the proverbial “four walls of the church” just might increase their trust in the Gospel and those who proclaim it. Holiness is, at its core, the demonstration of the Kingdom of God on Earth...among the natives.

God is holy. You are also called to be holy. But your holiness isn’t to be bottled up and served up like a rare vintage wine; it shouldn’t be reserved for the presence of God and God’s people. Look up, but don’t forget to look out. Like the disciples, have you spent your days looking up rather than looking out? Have you unjustifiably removed yourself from culture because of its potential impact on your holiness?

Look out! This means looking out to a hurting, dying world. This means looking out and demonstrating a godly lifestyle to a society void of a godly conscience. Only then will we be able to fully comprehend God’s command repeated in Peter’s First Epistle: “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

Scripture of the Day: “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” - 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV)

John C. Richards, Jr., Esq. is a husband, father, writer, attorney, and student. While an attorney by career choice, he remains involved in local urban ministry and is passionate about juvenile justice. He and his family currently reside in Atlanta. Find John at http://www.brotherpreacher.com.