“Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts,” St. Peter wrote. We are called to grow in holiness, and the way to do that is to grow closer to Christ and make him the center of your life. While that’s easy to say, knowing how to do it is often more difficult.
We’re not on our own as try to follow this instruction. One way to sanctify Christ is to obey what he told us. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” he said. But we have help. Jesus is our Advocate as he intercedes for us; and the Father will give us the Spirit of truth as another Advocate. The Holy Spirit will be with us to guide us and strengthen us.
We’ll need the Spirit’s help as we seek to use the time, talent, and treasure God has given us for the sake of his Kingdom, not for our own satisfaction. We’ll be asked why we’re doing this, and we need to “be ready to give an explanation,” but “with gentleness and reverence.” Respect for our hearers is essential, as well as faithfulness to the truth. Philip demonstrated that when he brought the gospel to the Samaritans. He presented Christ is such a way they accepted Jesus as Lord, and “there was great joy in that city.” We too, with the Spirit’s help, can be stewards who use the gifts we have received to bring the joy of Christ to others.
