Holiness
"Be Holy for I am Holy"
Scripture References: 1 Peter 1:3-16 , 2 Corinthians 7:1
I remember, as a child, looking up to many men and wanting to be like them. The two most influential people in my life were my father and grandfather, for many reasons. My grandfather was a deacon at church and led singing, but that isn’t necessarily what I wanted to mimic. Although that was his way of serving, what always stood out to me was how he was always doing something for someone. He would get a call and go. When my sister needed a car, he hit the ground running to find one. I believe he genuinely loved helping others. What made him a rich man was what he did for others.
My father is the exact same way when it comes to serving, but something stuck out to me when he preached (and when others preached too). Looking back now, I realize the calling to preach has been on my life for a long time. To be half the man my grandfather was and my father is would be a tremendous achievement.
When it comes to role models or mentors in our lives, being picky is neither a bad nor a selfish thing. If we want to learn and grow into better versions of ourselves, it helps to have a good teacher. Be careful when examining yourself if you fall short, haven’t learned a new skill, or haven’t reached your latest milestone. You are learning!
Men and women in our lives can help disciple us in our faith, just like the people who coach us in sports, show us how to cook, teach us how to change a spark plug, or help us raise children. Others can help us pray more, serve more, teach better, etc. It’s helpful to have an example to follow—someone who serves Jesus well. But what does it look like to become holy?
In 1 Peter 1, we are reminded of the calling on our lives to be holy because God is holy. We are instructed to leave behind our former lusts and to be holy in all our behavior (v. 15–16). For me, this calling and challenge means we must look to Jesus when examining ourselves. One reason for this is that the former lusts we each have may differ, as does our will and strength to walk away from them. Another reason is that we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). If we compare ourselves to others in terms of holiness, we may find someone whose holiness we exceed—but that’s not the point.
This scripture in 1 Peter is so powerful because it takes away the comparison between each other and points us to God: “Be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44–45; 19:2; 1 Peter 1:16).
This removes the excuses like, “I’m only human, and nobody is perfect,” or, “We all have our demons or struggles.” While those statements may be true, why do we compare ourselves to others instead of to the perfect example—God? “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
This verse sets a standard that is unachievable on our own, but it’s something we should continuously strive for. We will be perfected in heaven one day, but until then, we should put in the effort to live a holy life. We cannot do this without the Spirit of God—the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave (Romans 8:11).
Surrender to Jesus today by putting your faith in Him and repenting to live a life that replicates His!
My father is the exact same way when it comes to serving, but something stuck out to me when he preached (and when others preached too). Looking back now, I realize the calling to preach has been on my life for a long time. To be half the man my grandfather was and my father is would be a tremendous achievement.
When it comes to role models or mentors in our lives, being picky is neither a bad nor a selfish thing. If we want to learn and grow into better versions of ourselves, it helps to have a good teacher. Be careful when examining yourself if you fall short, haven’t learned a new skill, or haven’t reached your latest milestone. You are learning!
Men and women in our lives can help disciple us in our faith, just like the people who coach us in sports, show us how to cook, teach us how to change a spark plug, or help us raise children. Others can help us pray more, serve more, teach better, etc. It’s helpful to have an example to follow—someone who serves Jesus well. But what does it look like to become holy?
In 1 Peter 1, we are reminded of the calling on our lives to be holy because God is holy. We are instructed to leave behind our former lusts and to be holy in all our behavior (v. 15–16). For me, this calling and challenge means we must look to Jesus when examining ourselves. One reason for this is that the former lusts we each have may differ, as does our will and strength to walk away from them. Another reason is that we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). If we compare ourselves to others in terms of holiness, we may find someone whose holiness we exceed—but that’s not the point.
This scripture in 1 Peter is so powerful because it takes away the comparison between each other and points us to God: “Be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44–45; 19:2; 1 Peter 1:16).
This removes the excuses like, “I’m only human, and nobody is perfect,” or, “We all have our demons or struggles.” While those statements may be true, why do we compare ourselves to others instead of to the perfect example—God? “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
This verse sets a standard that is unachievable on our own, but it’s something we should continuously strive for. We will be perfected in heaven one day, but until then, we should put in the effort to live a holy life. We cannot do this without the Spirit of God—the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave (Romans 8:11).
Surrender to Jesus today by putting your faith in Him and repenting to live a life that replicates His!
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