He is our role model

He is our role model

   Men and women are tempted by the strongest temptation when their physical health is at its peak. Holy life becomes difficult when the physical body is very strong. On the contrary our mind doesn't think of sin when we are in the bed of sickness. Our mind is full of agony and we are disinterested in physical pleasures. That is the time when we look to God. That is the time when our prime interest is nothing but deliverance from suffering.

   Sickness and suffering cause a human being to pursue holiness and turn away from sin. Think of a man lying in the bed for a whole week because of some acute pain and sickness. Can he think of adultery and fornication? Can he say that he doesn't have time to pray? In such a condition the person is continually praying and crying to God. It is impossible for him to plan and commit sin.

   This condition of the human heart is definitely contrary to the will of God. God is happy when a sick person stays away from sin but He knows that the person stayed away from sin because he was incapable and not necessarily because he had victory over sin. We must reach a spiritual peak where we are strong and healthy and still can stay away from sin.

   That is the true likeness of God. We know that our God who is the Creator of this universe is holy. He is neither weak nor sick! He is the healthiest and the strongest person in the whole universe yet He is the holiest Person. God doesn't sin. He doesn't allow any kind of unholy qualities or impurity in His character. This is so because of His basic nature and character – not because He is incapable.

   Job 12:16 tells us “God is strong and always victorious” (TEV). In the original it says “strength and wisdom are the natural attributes of God”. That means it is very natural for God to be strong. His strength is eternal and it never diminishes. He is always able to do anything and everything He wishes. But He never becomes unholy! He is always the holiest person in the universe and will remain so forever and ever.

   Every Christian must cultivate this kind of holiness. Many Christians neglect their physical health. They do not eat good food even when it is available. They deliberately make their bodies under nourished and weak. They think that it is necessary to become holy. In an attempt to become holy and make their bodies incapable of sin, they become sick and unavailable to God, unfit for His ministry. This is a snare of the devil. We must reach a spiritual height where we can simultaneously maintain our physical health and our holiness. We must learn the true Christian holiness. Our precious Lord Jesus was both holy and healthy. He is our role model. May the Holy Spirit help us all the days of our life to be healthy and holy at the same time!