Holiness #4—Holy Results

Present the members of your bodies as slaves to righteousness for the purpose of holiness … and its outcome, eternal life. Romans 6:19–22

One way to paraphrase this wonderful promise is: If we do what accords with God’s design for people, we will become truly valuable to the lives we touch, which will yield the benefit of eternal life for us.  Fully committing ourselves to the lifestyle God has commanded is the wisest way for us to live; we will not regret doing so, ever. We will be like the patients who, because we trust our doctors, read the instructions on the prescription bottle and use the medicine properly as we proceed along the path to recovery. God’s prescription for life is better than any other available, in that the behavior it commends and commands is not only good for us, his patients, but also for everyone we contact. Following his instructions is righteous living. Living righteously makes us holy to every human being we meet. The Doctor is our holy one, the one who is most valuable to our enjoyment of a healthy life. So as we do what the Doctor orders, we are cured of our sin, and we become holy ones to everyone else—we do not contaminate them with our disease. This results in a more joyful life for them and for us now. Eventually, for us, and maybe even for them, our pursuit of righteousness will result in the joy of eternal life.

Gracious Creator, thank you for showing me how desirable your design for us is. Let me see clearly the good that will come as I follow the holy leadership of your Son, by whom your goodness comes to me.