Deuteronomy 28:9   ⁹ The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in his ways.

Comedian Flip Wilson made famous the line, “The Devil made me do it!” It is hard to be holy. We are being tempted from all sides to do things we know aren’t right. It is even more tempting to agree with those who don’t do what the Bible says is the right thing to do. It is easy to remain silent when we see injustices done to others. It is easy to sit still when we see others in need. We tell ourselves that they should help themselves when deep down in our hearts we know they can’t.

It is hard to be holy. That’s why God makes us holy through Jesus Christ. Jesus’ Spirit transforms our thinking. We become his followers and want to be like him. He pricks our hearts when we see things that hurt others and hurt him. He helps us understand when we are doing or saying things that are not of him. He moves us to be more compassionate, generous, pure, and faithful. He helps us walk in his ways.

Lord, we want to be holy as you are holy. Move our hearts and minds to become the holy people you want us to be. Amen.