I love the word of God because it has answers and truth for every question and every excuse we have. Whenever we wonder how God feels about any area of our life, we can go to the word and find an answer. But what do we do when the answer is not something we want to hear? Do we suck it up, receive correction and make changes or do we make another excuse or justification.
I Peter 1:14-16 is pretty clear about how we are supposed to live our lives as Christians. It says: ” As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is HOLY, you also be HOLY in ALL your conduct, since it is written ‘be holy as I am holy.’”
This verse basically tells us that we are not supposed to live like we did before we knew God (in our ignorance) but we are supposed to try and make every area of our life as much like Jesus as possible! I think the problem comes for those of us who have been Christians since we were little! We are the ones who have a hard time recognizing our “former ignorance.” It is much easier for someone who has grown up without knowing God and seen the effect of that “ignorance” in their lives to set aside every area of sin and sell out for God than it is for those of us who think we have known him our whole life but are yet to fully understand His saving grace!
I Peter also goes on to talk about not making excuses for sin. Chapter 2 v.16 says “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom to cover up for evil.” As Christians we like to talk about the grace of God and the freedom we have in accepting him as our Lord and Savior but far to often we use this “freedom” as an excuse to let little areas of sin in our life slide by. Be cautious when you catch yourself making an excuse for any area of your life. It is a sure sign that God is trying to get your attention and drive you to Holiness and being more like Him!
