A Life Well Lived: Melody and Harmony

"Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:13-16).


We'll take our cue from Calvin. No one puts our goal more beautifully:

"The goal of the Christian life is that God's children exhibit melody and harmony in their conduct. What melody? What harmony? The harmony between God's righteousness and our obedience."

"The plan of Scripture for a Christian walk is two-fold: first, that we be well instructed in the law to love righteousness, because by nature we are not inclined to do so; second, that we be shown a simple rule that we may not waver in our race. Of the many recommendations, is there any better than the key principle: Be thou holy, for I am holy? When we were dispersed like scattered sheep, and lost in the labyrinth of the world, Christ gathered us together again, the he might bring us to himself."

John Calvin, Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life

So far so good, but, as C.S. Lewis reminds us, righteousness and holiness must not remain in some far off, safely abstract realm:

"It is terrible to find how little progress one's philosophy and charity have made when they are brought to the test of domestic life."

Our Goal: This "melody and harmony" tested by "domestic life." In other words, to "live" holiness in the marketplace, kitchen, living room, and bedroom.