1 Peter 1

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1 Peter 1:13-16, 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.”

Today, we start reading a letter written by the apostle Peter to the churches in five regions of Asia Minor, what is now modern-day Turkey.  This first chapter is a call to recognize their living hope in Jesus, the joy that is found in Christ despite earthly persecution, and the need to pursue holiness of life. 

Our focus verses for today deal with this issue of holiness.  Peter implores these early believers to set aside their old way of life before they knew Jesus and to seek a life characterized by holiness.  In the Old Testament, holiness referred to being set apart from everything else.  God is holy and totally without sin, and he continually tried to foster holiness in his people.  In fact, holiness is central to the character of God. In the New Testament, the concept of holiness still means set apart but it also refers to being morally pure.  The early Christ-followers were set apart, not in the sense that they separated themselves from the world because they did not, but because they were ethically and morally different from those around them.  They lived according to a different standard, seeking the righteousness of God. 

Peter is encouraging these early Christians to seek God’s holiness, to live their lives in a way that looks entirely different from the culture around them.  They were essentially to pattern their lives on Jesus Christ.  Part of pursuing holiness is seeking God’s will daily, hourly, possibly even minute by minute. 

Do you seek holiness in your life?  Why or why not?

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, I long for holiness.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.