Thursday, October 5, 2023

           God commands us to be holy.  A high standard.  And an overwhelming standard even.  Yet, God never lowers His standard.  He does not change it based on popular opinion.  In his own words, Peter wrote about this standard of holiness.  We read, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:13-16).  The apostle was clear in his message.  He made no excuses.  He offered no passes.  He never dumbed-down the standard that God inspired Him to write.  To live a holy life is nothing short of living the life that Jesus Himself lived.  If we dig deeper into Peter’s words, we find five truths that speak to us today.
            First, Peter wrote about the mind.  We can choose how we will live.  We can choose what we will do.  Proverbs 23:7 says that we become what we think about and that we are what we think about.  We want to fill our minds with good thoughts and good motivations.  Paul gave us such a command in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  We cannot fill our minds with garbage or sinful things and expect to live in a holy way.  We want to take our thoughts captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).  One reason why Bible reading is important is because Scripture can impact our minds and thoughts in good and wholesome ways.  When we have a full repository of verses implanted in our minds, then we have God’s Word to shape and guide us as we navigate our way through life’s daily challenges and temptations. 
            Second, we trust God’s grace to help us live worthy lives.  Peter challenged us to “set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming.” (1 Peter 1:13b). We trust God’s grace to help us and to sustain us.  We live in anticipation of the Lord’s coming one day.  And that anticipation encourages and inspires us to live in a holy manner.  To live in anticipation of the Lord’s coming means we desire to see Him, to meet Him and to greet Him far more than we desire to engage in any kind of sin.  Grace can help us to resist and to reject sinful desires and ways in favor of the greater hope of greeting Christ one day.  Grace helps to keep our heart and mind centered on Christ and His glory.
            Third, never allow yourself to be drawn back into the old ways of life.  Or, as Peter put it, “do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance” (1 Peter 1:14).  Those who battle addictions realize that these battles are fought and won every day (and often even every minute or second of the day).  We can never drop our guard against sin and the lure of sin.  It always crouches just at the edge of sight.  Remember the warning that God issued to Cain just before he killed his brother Abel.  The Lord said, “Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to rule over you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7b).  The enemy, Satan, does not give up easily.  He is tenacious and would always like to remind us of the old ways of life, the old sins, the former things we once pursued and enjoyed.  We have to act as sentries on watch for the ways that Satan may try to trick or deceive us into the old ways of life. 
            Fourth, our motivation for holy living is to be like Christ.  If we profess Jesus as Lord, then we want to live like He lived and do as He did.  Peter wrote, “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15).  In short, Peter’s message was to live like Jesus if Jesus is your Lord.  Turn from sin.  Embrace the ways of the Father.  Be mindful of the words you speak, the roads you choose to walk and the ways you choose to live.  Christians believe in sanctification—becoming increasingly like Christ every day and in every way.  Jesus invited the first disciples to “come, follow me.”  That same invitation is extended to us—to take the holy way of life rather than a life of indulgence and excess. 
            And fifth, Peter reminded us about a familiar refrain found in the Bible.  He wrote, “For it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:16).  The apostle quoted from Leviticus.  God calls His people to be like Him.  God’s standard for Israel was to be distinctly different from every other nation and all other people.  God wanted Israel to be a light to the nations so that through Israel other nations would see the glory, holiness and righteousness of God.  Paul made a similar statement about Christians in Philippians, “so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life” (Philippians 1:15-16a).  Consider the brightness of stars against the backdrop of a dark nighttime sky.  God’s people are to be stars that shine against the backdrop of an often dark and desperate world. 
            May God encourage and equip you as you seek to live for Him and to aim for the bar or standard of holy living.  God never lowers or changes that standard because He knows it is right and best for us.  We never have to apologize for striving to be holy.  We never have to question whether holiness is the right choice in a given situation or circumstance.  We can be confident that holiness is always right because it is God’s will and way.  Have a great day!  Make plans to join us Sunday for Bible study and worship.  Remember we will enjoy our communal lunch after worship so bring along a dish or two to share with others.