So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake. Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
1 Peter 1:13-25 (NLT)
UNMISTAKABLE HOLINESS COMES WHEN …
1. I EMBRACE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HOLY.
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know You are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:68-69 (NLT)
No wonder My heart is glad, and My tongue shouts His praises! My body rests in hope. For You will not leave My soul among the dead or allow Your Holy One to rot in the grave.
Acts 2:26-27 (NLT)
Formal definition of Holy: Set apart for a notable purpose.
Practical definition: Being different than the world and being like Jesus.
If you call "Father" the one who judges everyone impartially according to what they have done, you must live in reverent fear as long as you are strangers in a strange land.
1 Peter 1:17 (ISV)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
2. I EMBRACE THAT I AM CALLED TO BE HOLY.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do…
1 Peter 1:15 (NIV)
For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.
1 Peter 2:21 (AMP)
God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.
Romans 8:29 (MP)
Christianity was/is more about being like Jesus; than simply being saved by Jesus.
3. I EMBRACE WHY I AM CALLED TO BE HOLY.
I am called to holiness because God is Holy.
…the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:16 (NLT)
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)
When I am holy, I bring glory to God.
I finished the work you gave me…. I brought you glory on earth.
John 17:4 (ERV)
The only thing they heard about me was this: “Our former enemy, who once brutally persecuted us, is now preaching the good news of the faith that he was once obsessed with destroying!” 24 Because of the transformation that took place in my life, they praised God even more!
Galatians 1:23, 24
You pride yourself in having God’s law, then stop dishonoring God by failing to keep its teaching. 24 Here’s what it says: “Because of you, God’s reputation is slandered by those outside the covenant.
Romans 2:23, 24 (VOICE)
I am called to holiness being holy, is essential to fulfilling my God given purpose.
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you.
1 Peter 2:9 (MP)
When I am holy, I bring hope to people.
Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.
1 Peter 2:12 (MP)
A purposeful God calls us to be a purposeful people!