A New Question...

In reading through the book of 2 Timothy, I keep coming back to the verse found in chapter 1 - verse 9.

"...who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  This grace was given us in Christ Jesus..."

In thinking about salvation we must not only think about what Christ has saved us from but what Christ has saved us to.  We must be holy, because this is the goal of our salvation - our redemption. While it is good to celebrate that Christ has saved us from selfishness, from godless chatter; from addictions, from idolatry - we must celebrate what Christ has saved us to.  This is the new question to ask ourselves.  What has Christ saved me to?  He has saved me to do good works (Ephesians 2:10); He has saved me to preach Good News to the poor (Luke 4:18); He has saved me to do justice & show compassion (Zechariah 7:9); He has saved me to love my neighbor (Mark 12:31); He has saved me to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19); He has saved me to love God with all of my heart (Luke 10:27)!

Begin celebrating what Christ has saved you to. Holiness cannot be reduced to a little ethical refurbishment. The Holy life requires sacrifice.  It requires generosity. It requires that we live like Jesus.  Holiness is not just mere rule keeping; it is not just middle class family values; it is not generic spirituality.

Read God's word and ask yourself a new question:  What has Christ saved me to?