God gives this command in 1 Peter 1:16: “Be holy, for I am holy.”

He is speaking to those who are His children, those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and who have a personal relationship with Him.  God has called His children to be His ambassadors on the earth and to bring Him glory.

The word “holy” means separated, set apart.  God your Father has set you apart for His glory.  He has made you righteous by the shedding of Jesus’ blood and His resurrection.

Holiness is inward and outward.  It includes attitudes and motives, not just actions.  God sees our hearts.  He knows our motives and our thoughts.

We tend to think of our outward actions as being most important, but God is very interested in the condition of our heart and mind.  Our actions are a reflection of what is in our heart.

These two sides of holiness – outward and inward – are reflected in Peter’s instructions to God’s people in 1 Peter 1:13-2:3.  He tells them how to act in a holy manner.  He also reminds them of important truths that should produce in them the attitudes God desires.

These truths will transform us if we reflect on them and respond to them as God instructs.

1 Peter 1:13-17

Transforming Truth: We have a future hope: Christ will return and we will receive our heavenly inheritance.
What should our response be?  “13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Transforming Truth: God is holy.  He is calling us to be holy.
What should our response be?  “14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Transforming Truth: God will judge our works fairly.
What should our response be?  “17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;”

What Do You Think?

Is God the center of your focus?  What are you fixing your hope on?

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