My Dear Shepherds,
Several years ago I went with a friend to the federal courthouse in Chicago where he was sworn in as an American citizen. About 130 immigrants from some 30 countries raised their right hands before the judge and vowed the 220-year-old Oath of Allegiance (“I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty . . ..”). Then they, along with the rest of us in that large courtroom, stood with hands over our hearts and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
I also remember an early Sunday morning in Shillong, India, when I watched two young adults be baptized. They’d come from a state some distance away for an intense period of Christian training before returning to likely persecution at home. They renounced and abjured their worldly citizenship to follow Christ.
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation . . .. (1 Pet. 2:9)
The Greek word is ethnos. Jesus’ disciples not only acquire new citizenship, we change our very ethnicity! After all, we were born again. We are new creations. We’re no longer merely European, African, Asian, or American people. Now we are the Holy people. No condemnation! God’s New Covenant is engraved upon our hearts. Our nature is newborn. Our minds are governed by the Spirit.
The Lord entrusts pastors with helping this Holy people acculturate to their new Christlike natures and nationality. We accompany the Holy Spirit in their sanctification. We use Scripture to reorient our flock to our God-given customs, laws, heritage, history, and hope. We become their models of holy citizenship.
On the one hand, we must continually help our brothers and sisters learn the scope of God’s command, “Come out from them and be separate.” We tell them again and again, don’t fit in! Peter put it:
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:14–16)
So we instruct them in the character and ways of God, and help them bear the fruit of the Spirit.
On the other hand, we must not ignore the community around us. So we tell our flock, stand out!
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us . . .. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Pet. 2:12; 3:15)
Holiness is the church’s unique brand. It’s the only reliable way for Christians to stand out in this world. It is our evangelism essential. Other methods seem more efficient and attention-getting. Holiness is just plain counterintuitive! But like Jesus, holiness creates a kind of gravitational pull to the gospel.
Sanctity repels darkness lovers. Sanctimony repels everyone. But devotion to Christ, love for one another, basic godliness, and care for our neighbors embody God’s shekinah glory. Some will be drawn to our worship, realize their sin, and exclaim, “God is really among you!” (1 Cor. 14:25).
Sometimes preachers are tempted to only preach the heavy ‘oughts’ of holiness without emphasizing the delights. We slip down into legalism. Remember: law reveals but grace heals.
The desire and capacity for holy living spring from grace—from forgiveness we don’t deserve, truth we would have never known, and a hope we couldn’t imagine.
Be ye glad!
