1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, not fashioning
yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But
as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
“Be ye holy” This is not a suggestion
but a statement or a command. There is
nothing outrageous, difficult or unattainable about living a holy life unto
God. We make it so hard because we want
to be not only in the world but also of the world, and still be able to reap
the benefits of God.
That’s why you have so many Christian
men and women living together before marriage, (shaking up). More babies are born out of wedlock then ever
before, because no one wants to talk about fornication or how to say no until
you say “I do” as husband and wife. You
have men liking men and women liking women right here within the body of
Christ, because no one wants to talk about homosexuality until it hits
home. Men and women are getting married
to the wrong person because they did everything they wanted to do outside the
Will of God and now they want their mess to be blessed by saying it is better
to marry than to burn. God is not only a
holy God, but he is a God of order.
In today’s society, you have men
gripping about women being too holy and vice versa. Is there such a thing as being too holy? Are we basing our definition on holiness
according to the world’s standards, which includes our fleshly desires or
according to the Word of God.
Holiness is defined as a state or
character of being Holy. Holy is defined
as set apart to the service of deity.
Deity is God or somebody or something that is treated like a god. Basically, holiness is the state, character,
disposition, nature or make-up of being set apart to the service of God.
Vs 15 of our text –the Amplified
Version states,”But as the One Who called
you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of
living.
Holy implies sacredness, being
consecrated to God or being worthy of God.
You must be free from impurity.
There can be no hint of moral pollution or spiritual defilement. To be holy is to be free from anything that
would offend a perfect God. Those things
we use to do when we were in the world, we can’t do any more.
To live a holy life is a choice. It is not something that you can put on or
take off whenever it is convenient. It
is a lifestyle or way of life. As we
yield ourselves to God, and as we soberly, seriously and vigilantly resist the devil and all his temptations, we will
find that God is able to “perfect, establish, strengthen and settle” us. As a living witness, it is not easy, but it
is worth it.
We have to get out of our comfort
zones. If you are going to live holy,
then stop making excuses and just live holy.
We must stand up for what is morally and spiritually right at any cost
even if we have to stand-alone. We must proclaim
the Gospel not only with our mouths but also by example.
Concluding with 1 Peter 2:11-12
(New Living Translation)
Dear brothers and sisters, you are foreigners and aliens here. So I warn
you to keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls. Be
careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you
of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe
and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world.[]
Will you live holy?
