Thomas Chisholm (1866-1960) was an American hymnwriter, poet and Methodist minister. His most well-known, much-loved hymn is ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’. Another of his hymns cries:
O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
[Yahshua] Thy perfect likeness to wear.
Oh! to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art!
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
This cry connects with Paul’s statement that, by the Holy Spirit, we’re being transformed into the image of Yahshua (2 Corinthians 3:18). He declares this transformation has been predestined (determined in advance) by Yahweh (Romans 8:29). How do statements like these harmonise with Chisholm’s heartfelt cry? If it’s ‘determined in advance’ for us to be like Yahshua, why is Chisholm begging his Redeemer for help?
Salvation gives us a new heart and spirit, and we’re expected to care for the heart, maintain it in holiness and ensure it develops as Yahweh has ordained it should. Paul urges us to “work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity]” (Philippians 2:12, Amplified Bible). This process demands committed spiritual involvement. John speaks about living like Yahshua lived (1 John 2:6), while Peter affirms Yahshua left us His personal example so we can follow Him (1Peter 2:21).
Paul encourages this involvement, writing “Therefore, as [Yahweh’s] chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12). There’s a holiness which comes from Yahweh, through Yahshua, accredited to us at redemption. We allow it to mature by submitting to challenge and change.
We’re part of a holy family; an exciting, positive reality! The vibrant holiness of Yahweh’s Spirit must pulsate through every member, fashioning characters and creating a moral loveliness and purity that reflects Yahshua. Holiness must be our habitual condition, for without it it’s impossible to please Yahweh. Let it be our aim and our delight, as we cry with the hymnwriter, “Oh, to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer.”
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The Test Of LoveWe look at our lives through a spiritual lens now, as we see how our actions as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, friends and coaches, workers and employers relate to [Yahweh's] will.
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