1 Pet 1:14-15

"As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct" 1 Pet 1:14-15

Old ways are like old sweaters - they are easy to get into. Think about it. What are your most favorite clothes? - No, not the fancy things you wear to special occasions. What do you wear when you want to be really comfortable? That's right, the old shirt and shorts that are worn, torn, and stretched in just the right places. We reach for them like a 2 year old reached for his/her security blanket!

Old ways are like that. Yes, they are wrong. Yes, we know it. Yes, we try to avoid them at all costs. But when we're tired, worn, and torn from the battles, we all too often fall back into them. Peter tells us not to. Don't do it. Stop. Then he provides some incentive. You were stupid then. Right? Of course we were. We were ignorant of the damage we were doing in the name of pleasure. And we aren't stupid any more!

Need more incentive? Jesus sets the example of perfection. He was tired - but He never sinned. He was worn - but He never failed. He was beaten and torn from the battles - but He refused to take His eyes off the mission at hand even when He hung on the cross.

Peter continues in the next verses to say that we can be holy - yes, even in the midst of our exhaustion, brokenness, and defeats - we can be holy. Why? Because Jesus is holy! He made the way for us by not sinning, not failing, not yielding. In addition, He paid the price for our sins by dying in the cross in our place. Yes, you can be holy. And when you fail, all you have to do is ask the Father to clear your sins and He will!

See, you can be holy - today - right now - no matter what you have done today to disappoint your Lord - no matter how big a sin. Do not fear, God is gracious and merciful to forgive your sins - all of them. All you have to do is ask! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.