Scripture: 1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Insights: Our final point this week is similar to the second point, but with a slightly different nuance. Our second point this week was that we were to serve others. In our verses today we see that we are called to live holy lives. What you need to understand about that word holy is that it has two parts to it. The word holy literally means to be set apart. Here is where the two parts come into play. We are set apart from this world and we are set apart for God’s work. Today’s verses indicate both of these aspects of holiness. Notice in verse fourteen that we are to not be conformed to our former lusts which we practiced in ignorance before we came to know Jesus personally. This rejection of our former life is the same as being set apart from this world. Verse fifteen, however, reflects the second aspect of holiness when it tells us to be holy in all our behaviors. Our new behaviors, as a result of our lives being saved, ought to be different. This difference is what is found in our being set apart for God’s work. Now, having defined our terms, let me express the slightly different nuance between our second point this week and today’s point. In the second point we learned we were to serve others. In this fourth point we have finally gotten to the motivation of our service and that is because we have been set apart, made holy in God. Our lives ought to look differently than the people of this worlds. We are born again. Our life style ought to be so radically different that a lost world would begin to question why we are so distinct in character. We know the answer is because of God’s life changing work in us and His imputed holiness in our lives. As we live this kind of distinction out before a lost world we are actually serving them, but the service is a byproduct of a changed life in Christ Jesus. It is for this reason that we are able to say that our worship is relevant because we are holy people in Christ.
Questions:
1. What old habits and patterns are your being set apart from in this world?
2. What new habit or pattern are you being set apart for God’s work and Kingdom?
Prayer: Father, I understand that I am not holy because of me. I am holy because You have imputed Your holiness into my life when I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My prayer Lord, is that I am pleasing in Your sight as I walk a holy life in this world for Your glory. Amen.
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