THE HOLY LIFE

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God" (1 Peter 4:1-2). As we read this text of Peter, we ask if there is in us, in our hearts, a disposition for the holy life.

There should be, for that is what this Apostle recommends. We know that we already live devotion to God through reflection on the Word, prayer, communion with brothers and sisters, cultic celebrations in the temple. All of this is very good, desirable and even pleasurable. But the search for the holy life, in the depths, constitutes another area of the spiritual life, marked by the renunciation of sin, which involves a certain personal effort, sacrifice and even suffering. To do so means to imitate Christ in his renunciation of sin.

It is a fact that we live a very different life from the one we lived before we knew Christ. We live a life of holiness. But we still dwell in a body that cries out for sin. The Apostle Paul himself affirms that sin dwells in us (Romans 7:21). However, because of Christ's sacrifice, we are targets of his grace so that sin no longer has dominion over us, that is, we are already saved by God's grace.

For this reason Paul says, "'Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires" (Romans 6:12). In this way, renouncing sin has, on our part, a sense of a response of love to Christ for what He did for us on the cross. At this point, as already said, this is another area of Christian spirituality. More intimate, deeper and personal, in which the Spirit helps us, but which does require a certain effort on our part.

Yes, this is in accordance with the teaching of Jesus. Notice what He said: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30). However, it must be understood that whenever we try to stop sinning by our efforts, that is when we sin more intensely, because we do not have the spiritual strength to overcome the old sinful nature. So when we say "effort," we mean the continued willingness to walk in holiness with the help of the Spirit and prayer. Yes, talking to God brings us closer to him and strengthens us to overcome sin.

Every true Christian, one who has experienced the "new birth" (John 3:1-8) and been "begotten again" (1 Peter 1:3) has an inclination and a desire for the holy life. This is the fruit of metanoia, that is, of the new mind, a new mentality acquired at the moment of its personal and definitive surrender to God. The attitude and feeling of repentance for past sins dominate that experience, so that it is natural for the Christian to have this aspiration to holiness.

But sin sometimes comes into our daily lives because of evil, covetousness, and the fallen human nature that is still in us (Romans 7:21). For this reason James says, "'but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed" (James 1:14). Paul also, in this context, states: "the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit" (Galatians 5:17). When he says "flesh," he means "human nature."

Thus, the Apostle to the Gentiles shows us the path of effort that we have to make: "'So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Yes, living according to the guidance of the Spirit makes us conquerors over sin and we can practice what this Apostle recommended: "he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Corinthians 5:15). This is what the holy life consists of.

Antônio Maia – Ph.B., M.Div.

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