◄ What Does 1 Peter 1:16 Mean? ►

God expected His people Israel to be holy and set apart unto Him. As part of the new creation in Christ, we are also exhorted to be holy, for God is holy. By grace through faith in Christ, we have been given the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower us to live the godly lifestyle that God demands; a life that is set apart unto Him; a life that reflects His character and attributes.

Peter does not leave us floundering as to how to be holy, but outlines the clear characteristics that should be seen in all who reflect the likeness of Christ. We are to 'gird up' our minds as a conscious act of the will so that our thoughts are pure and focused on all that it good and right. A holy mind is sober, self-controlled, and is not party to crudity, hysteria, sullenness, or irrational outbursts. A holy mind takes every thought captive to Christ and does not allow wrong thoughts or an evil attitude to germinate and flourish.

We are to be circumspect, stable, and self-controlled in life, not allowing outward circumstances to displace our inner peace. We are not to allow the externals of life to cause us to doubt God's mercy and grace, but should treat them as opportunities to trust His Word so we may grow in grace to His honour and glory.

We are to set our hope fully on Him: a hope that is rooted and grounded in the finished work of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is not only the hope of the world and the blessed hope for the children of God, but in Christ we have a secure hope that is founded on the never-changing Word of God and a hope that rests in a mind that is focussed on Him. We are called to be holy by reflecting Jesus in every aspect of our everyday lives.

As God's children, we have been called out of the darkness which characterised our former life, into His glorious light, and we are called to be like Him: "Be holy for I am holy." Holiness is an essential part of God's eternal nature and we are instructed to be set apart unto Him. We are not to slip back into our former, sinful ways, but as obedient children we are called to reflect His holiness.

If by grace we were wonderfully rescued from sin, death, and hell, should it not be our delight and duty to obey His command to be holy as He is holy?

Heavenly Father, I want to be holy and have a life that is set apart unto You. I want to have a life that is honouring to You in thought, word, and deed. I know it is impossible to be holy in my own strength, especially when the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil surround me. Help me to take every thought captive to Christ and develop a mind that is circumspect, stable, and self-controlled. May my words and actions follow my mind that is set on You, by the power of the Holy Spirit and to Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name, AMEN.