The Question is: “What do you wish most of your children?”

“O Lord, make me as holy as a forgiven sinner can be.” (Robert Murray McCheyne)

A recent survey* of Japanese and American parents revealed much about the values that people in various cultures hold dear. The question was submitted to these parents,

“What do you wish most of your children?”

The leading response among Japanese parents was that they wanted their children to be successful – a reflection of the high value the Japanese place on marketplace success. Well, it’s not far from what our Malaysian parents expecting from their children today. Asian parents after all. On the other hand, the most frequent wish of American parents for their children was happiness – a reflection of their ‘feel good’ culture.

Note this: God’s greatest desire for His children is neither success nor happiness, but instead that we be like Him, holy in all we do. Apostle Peter wrote in his first letter, “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.’” (1:15-16NIV).

What God demands He provides. When God calls us to be holy, He imparts to us the power to obey. When God calls us to be holy it does not mean He is telling us to be holy but rather He is inviting us into His holiness. It is impossible for us to be holy – but thru Christ, it is possible. Therefore, holiness is achievable. ‘Be holy, because I am holy’ is achievable.

‘How?’ the unbelievers (or even you, the believers) may ask. I’ll let the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews explain it to them: “…we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (10:10NIV).

Be holy, because God is holy.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

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*Survey report above is taken from Roy B. Zuck’s The Speaker’s Quote Book @1997, 2009. Published by Kregel Publications. Thank you.