What does "be holy, because I am holy" mean for Christians? Hearing the Command “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all your conduct, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Grasping Holiness • Holiness means “set apart,” completely different from the common and the sinful. • It includes moral purity: “You are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.” (Leviticus 20:26) • It reflects God’s character; we mirror who He is, not merely what He does. Why Holiness Matters • Identity: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence.” (Ephesians 1:4) • Witness: Our distinct life displays God’s light (1 Peter 2:9). • Fellowship: “Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) • Purpose: We were saved “not for impurity but in holiness.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7) Living It Out Daily • Renewed thinking: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) • Obedient choices in “all your conduct” (speech, media, relationships, finances). • Separation from sin: “Let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) • Active love: Holiness is expressed in self-giving service (Galatians 5:13-14). • Empowered by the Holy Spirit: He produces the fruit that matches God’s nature (Galatians 5:22-23). Common Obstacles and God’s Provision • Cultural pressure to conform → God supplies discernment and courage (Romans 12:1-2). • Personal weakness → “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) • Fear of failure → “He who began a good work in you will perfect it.” (Philippians 1:6) Encouraging Promises • “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves… perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) • “He Himself bore our sins… so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” (1 Peter 2:24) • “We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him.” (1 John 3:2-3) Christians respond to “be holy” by resting in Christ’s finished work, yielding to the Spirit, and intentionally patterning every area of life after God’s flawless character. |
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