If youve ever struggled to understand THIS scripture thinking its impossible because of your sinful nature: Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Pet. 1:16 Know that God would not have placed it in scripture if it were not possible- He would not command that you do this if He knew it was unobtainable for you. Notice its a command! BE ye holy; for I am holy. Thats not a question or a suggestion, again its a command. So, you say how is that possible? No one can be as holy as God! Well, of course you can. The answer lies within that VERY same chapter just a few lines before and then reiterated a few lines after verse, 1 Pet. 1:16: As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 1 Pet. 1:14 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Pet. 1:17-23 So what are these scriptures saying and whats the message in them that tell me that I can be holy as God is holy? Heres a summary and not in any specific order: 1. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior 2. Worship God in reverent fear through Jesus Christ, your redeemer 3. Have faith and hope in God BECAUSE He allowed His glory to be manifested through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ out of the love He has for you. 4. Repent and turn from your old ways in obedience to the (truth) Word of God, through the Spirit of God, and by keeping the commands of God out of the love you have for Him. 5.Sincerely love your neighbor deeply from the heart These things not only ensure purity and sanctification, but they testify that you have been born again and, through Jesus Christ, considered holy as God is holy. Amen.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 07:02:42 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015