“Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” 1 Peter 1:13-16
What’s meant by “holy” in 1 Peter 1:15-16? The word translated “holy” means sacred, morally blameless, consecrated, saint. God is looking for some people who are consecrated or set apart for His use. He knows who those holy ones should be because He chose us and called us to be holy for His purpose.
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (Ephesians 1:4).
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1:9).
1 Peter 1:15 is a call for conversation. The word conversation means behavior. This verse is saying our manner of life or behavior, should reflect holiness because God is holy.
Christian souls should stick out and stand out. Our lifestyles should be distinguishable from unbelievers and match our profession of faith.
But it’s not easy, is it? In a day and age in which any and everything goes, Christian souls are constantly facing temptations to live in a manner which isn’t pleasing to God. Although ungodly living is encouraged, embraced, and expected in the world today, God’s Word stands as a beacon of hope, life, and instruction to the Christian soul.
One need only turn on the television to see programs encouraging adultery, fornication, abortion, lying, cheating, stealing, foul language, and drug and alcohol abuse. Add our access to the internet to the equation, and our eyes and ears are bombarded on every side by unholy activity.
We laugh along with sinful videos, sharing them so others can laugh along with us. Even many celebrities and clergy we follow on social media exemplify anything but holy lifestyles.
Instead of renouncing the hidden things of darkness (2 Corinthians 4:2), we are embracing and affirming them. We’re calling evil good, and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). It’s time for the church to be set apart, which is what God intended. It’s time for us to be holy because God is holy.
“We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:2
“Ah, you who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Ah, you who are wise in your own eyes, and shrewd in your own sight!” Isaiah 530-21