Reading: Christians look forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ so that he will put an end to the last enemy -- death. Until then, we need to be “obedient children” to help in the work of reconciliation as the church. God gives us a new heart when we accept Christ’s gift, not to act like we once did, but a heart focused on doing the right thing and striving for holiness (although we still mess up sometimes). Then, there’s grace for us when we do mess up, but we don’t try to sin and exploit grace... because like any relationship, we want to love Christ and not to use his grace for our benefit. But we are thankful for his grace, because we need it!

God calls us to be holy. Holy means “perfect in goodness and righteousness”. When we are not striving to be holy (perfect, spotless, or blameless) like God, we create a world around us that is that way as well. We have an effect on this world that isn’t good because sin leaks out into the world through us. We let the dominion of sin control us and our world. 

But God is holy and in his power, he is turning the tables on that dominion. The Bible says we are either a slave to sin or to God, and we aren’t in the dominion of sin any more when we have faith in Christ. It no longer has power over us. We become slaves to a good God who loves us.

So how do we apply this passage to our lives? First, don’t live in ignorance. Strive to know God’s will more and more. Ask questions. Strive for that holiness Peter is writing about. It’s the only way you can make a difference in the world that will matter for eternity. 

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that strives for holiness? 

Prayer Prompt: Lord, give me a heart that strives for holiness. Keep me from evil. Let me grow in my knowledge of what is right, and help me to be a man after your heart.