April 3

Read: Luke 1:67-75

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,.., that we… might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life (Luke 1:68, 74-75).

Now Or Later?

What kind of life does God want me to live? How can I most effectively achieve that kind of living? These are the key questions in the average Christian’s theology. And much of the debate is removed even from technical theology when the issues are put this way.

Our text indicates God’s will for us. He has planned for us to be a redeemed people. He has redeemed us so that we might serve Him in holiness and righteousness. The answer to the second question is clearly implied when we remember that we are to live holy and righteous all the days of our life.

How can any r man live a holy and righteous life all of his days unless he starts now? The weakness of theories that postpone sanctification until death is that they do not make it possible for a man to serve God in holiness all the days of his life. The weakness of the theory of gradual sanctification is that it seldom challenges a man sharply enough to get him started with the life of holiness now.

If I believe in the theory of gradual sanctification, am I expecting to drift into a life of holiness? Have I ever consciously committed myself to God to accomplish that work in me as soon as possible? Have I ever asked Him to do for me as much as He could do now in order that I might serve Him in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life? Wesley asked the question, and in God’s Word he found the answer.

But is it possible that I Should live and sin no more? Lord, if on Thee I dare rely, The faith shall bring the power.

— Wesley’s Hymns