Moment With The Master
“Our Call to Holiness”
Categories: Moment With The Master"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, (1 Peter 1:15)
The call to holiness is among the many admonitions found in this letter. God calls upon these pilgrims to live holy lives. To be chosen by God (1:2) involves great privileges and awesome responsibilities.
The word “holy” means to be different from ordinary things or to be set apart. The Christian is to be set apart in all his living. In all that he does he is to be a reflection of God’s purity. (2:9) He no longer lives according to his “former lusts”, but by the will of God. This duty is permeates every relationship from family, to job, to church. He is determined to no longer live according his former lusts, but by the will of God.
Why is the Christian called to live such a holy life? The answer is in verse 16: because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16) Note: God says be holy! Why? Because God says “I am holy”! The Christian is commanded to walk away from his former ways and act like God!
This concept of holy living also has its roots in the Old Testament. 'For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. (Leviticus 11:44) Again we find the reason for which God called Israel to holiness; because He is holy. This same command is repeated numerous times in Leviticus. They are to be holy because Jehovah God is holy!
Our association with God should be the compelling reason for our holiness. Most of us feel pressured by Christian friends or a fear of punishment to live sanctified lives, but we should want to holy, because God who called us to be his child is worthy. Should we not love our holy God enough to bear his image? It is a lofty calling!
By George Slover
