Holiness

Wow...well, I am almost finished my study on holiness, and I happened to glance ahead to day five of the study, because that is the day that you "make it personal", and the questions always, always make me stop and think. So, the activity for day five this week is this list of 65 character qualities that we're called to "put off" as Christians as well as 65 corresponding qualities we're called to put on. Each of the 130 total has a verse to read along with it, so I think this will probably take me days and days to go through.

BUT, as I was reading this list, I feel pretty convicted already. For example, number 42...ouch....procrastination versus diligence! Number 46 and 47...lack of moderation and gluttony versus temperance and discipline. And it continues...lack of rejoicing always, worry, fear, neglect of Bible study, inhospitable, temporal values, stinginess, worldy entertainment, wrong motives, complacency, discontentment, complaining, impatience, selfishness, pride. Eek! Sure there are some I can check off – like adultery – but not many! :S

I am definitely not "excited" about doing that part of the study, but I am truly looking forward to going through them one by one and allowing God to cull things from my life and replace them with godly character qualities. It will be a slow process, I'm sure, but I hope I will still know you all in 50, 60 or 70 years, and that the fruit of my labor may be evident by then! :P