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. 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)
We cannot afford to indulge flesh if we want to live in the power of our Risen Savior – Who emptied Himself – not considering equality with God something to be grasped rather made Himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant – all to save our scrawny necks and demonstrate to us the right way to live. There is a right way and it is not up for our suggestions or opinions. God has made it pristinely clear through His perfect Word. He does not want us to continue on wallowing in the pig pen of our worldliness, pride and greed. He has much higher and better things than that for His children. Should the living walk among the dead or the divine life be intwined with fleshly desires and lusts? I think not. It matters greatly how we live our lives so God’s light will shine through us pointing others to the Savior. We must not trust in earthly things rather seek to live above everything that is not of Him.
God desires for us to pursue holiness as it is the crown of the Christian. We are told to be holy for he is holy and He bestows the power in our jars of clay through the Holy Spirit. God is our King and He is to be on the throne of our hearts. Indeed, if we are His child He is constantly seeking to remove whatever we may be trying to place on it – ask me how I know. We are to live our lives for an audience of One through His power. We will never be disappointed in this endeavor.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)