How does Leviticus 19:1 connect with 1 Peter 1:16 on holiness? The Original Call to Holiness “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and say to them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’” (Leviticus 19:1-2) • God’s command comes immediately after He identifies Himself as “the LORD,” underscoring His unchanging character as the foundation for the command. • Holiness in Leviticus is not abstract; it governs daily life—sacrificial worship (Leviticus 1-7), moral relationships (Leviticus 18-20), and even agricultural practices (Leviticus 19:9-10). • Because God is literally and inherently holy, His people must reflect that holiness in concrete obedience. Peter’s Echo of Moses “For it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:16) • Peter quotes Leviticus directly, showing the continuity of God’s expectation from Old Covenant Israel to New Covenant believers. • The surrounding context (1 Peter 1:13-15) calls Christians to sober-minded hope and obedience—linking grace and responsibility. • Holiness is still grounded in God’s immutable nature; salvation in Christ doesn’t lower the standard but makes obedience possible (1 Peter 1:18-19). Why the Same Command Still Stands • God’s character never changes (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). • Believers are now “a holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5), echoing Israel’s priestly calling (Exodus 19:6). • The Spirit empowers what the Law required (Romans 8:3-4), fulfilling the promise of an obedient heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Practical Expressions of Holiness Today • Personal purity: fleeing sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7). • Relational integrity: truthful speech and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:25-32). • Distinct priorities: setting minds on things above, not earthly things (Colossians 3:1-3). • Worshipful living: offering bodies as “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). Covenantal Continuity and Fulfillment • Leviticus establishes the pattern; 1 Peter confirms its permanence. • Christ’s atonement cleanses believers, enabling them to approach a holy God (Hebrews 10:19-22). • The ultimate goal is conformity to Christ, “holy and blameless in His presence” (Ephesians 1:4). Key Takeaways • Holiness is rooted in who God is, not in cultural norms. • The call spans both Testaments; grace does not replace holiness—it empowers it. • From Sinai to the scattered churches of Asia Minor to today’s congregations, God’s voice remains: “Be holy, because I am holy.” |
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