Sometimes Christians are surprised to find out that "so much" is expected of them. Maybe they thought that being a Christian is just about believing a few important things about Jesus and then going to church and not being a bad person. But we are called to so much more than that! The following Scriptures should help you to see the level to which you are being called. Do not be discouraged, however. Be energized by the challenge and the opportunity set before you. It is the all-out pursuit of this challenge and opportunity that will result in you receiving the full blessing of your relationship with your Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ.
From Jesus
Matthew 5: 48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Luke 8: 14-15
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
John 15: 5-7
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
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Other New Testament Passages
Romans 6: 1-4
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Romans 8: 12
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according
to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Romans 8: 29
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Romans 12: 1-3
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Galatians 3: 26-27
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 4: 19
I am …in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.
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Ephesians 4: 11
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 5: 1
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5: 8-10
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Philippians 2: 12-13
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 3: 12-15
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.
1Corinthians 14: 20
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
2Corinthians 3: 18
we … are being transformed into his likeness
2Corinthians 13: 11
Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
1Thessalonians 4: 3-7
It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
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Colossians 1: 28-29
We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Colossians 4: 12
Epaphras… is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
1st Peter 2: 2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.
1Peter 1: 13-16
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 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."
2Peter 1: 5-11
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2Peter 3: 14-16
So then, dear friends, … make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
James 1: 4
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.
Hebrews 6: 1
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.
Hebrews 12: 10
…God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
Hebrews 12: 14
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
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Old Testament Background
Leviticus 11: 45
I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.
Leviticus 19: 1
The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: `Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.