Call to holiness

Text: 1 Peter 1:15F

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY. Peter writes in his letter that “He who called (us) is holy, (we) also be holy in all our conduct, since it is written, and “You shall be holy, for I am holy." Holy, that is physically pure and morally blameless and consecrated to God, and that, is in all manner, in all aspects of our lives. With today’s modernity, every thing going hi-tech; all the environmental events—climate change and all, and with every type of people, it seems that practicing to be blessed or sublime seems easier said than done or challenging for a Christian but then again this is God’s demand for His would-be followers. The word “holy” is described in the dictionary as “properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense.” Somebody who is holy has a pure heart, temper or character; free from sin and sinful affections. We call a man holy, when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts. Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, godly. As to God, His holiness signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions.

HOLINESS IS NOT AN OPTION BUT A REQUIREMENT. People say it is difficult to achieve. Is it difficult for one to be virtuous and faithful, consecrated or set apart to a sacred use or to be of service or worship of God? Will a Christian find struggle arranging one’s self to pious principles or purposes; as holy zeal. Maybe you can answer that. Sometimes man can have the wrong notion of being holy. We picture him as the robed person who sits in a corner and continually think thoughts of God. Holiness, my beloved Christian friend, is a lifelong task for you and me. It includes being temperate in all behavior, sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice, and humility in judgment. Holiness should be the desire and duty of every Christian. It must be in all affairs, in every condition, and towards all people. We must especially watch and pray against the sins to which we are inclined. The written word of God is the surest rule of a Christian's life, and by this rule we are commanded to be holy every way. God makes those holy whom he saves. To be holy, to add, is to be self-controlled, stripped for action, fixing one’s hope on the gift of grace and living a new life.

HOLINESS IS THE REQUIREMENT OF FOLLOWING GOD. This is challenge for everyone. It begins when one is forgiven and a new life is found in Christ and in obeying God’s commands. Obedient children will seek to please and to be like their father. Our Father is holy, and the duty rests upon us of seeking holy lives. Let us be that the model or example in accordance with which we are to frame our lives. Our character should be like God, to be holy in all manner of conversation and conduct. Since God is holy, and we profess to be his followers, we ought also to be holy. God’s command found in Leviticus 11:44 was addressed at first to the Israelites, but it is with equal politeness addressed to Christians. The foundation of the command is, that they professed to be his people, and that as his people they ought to be like their God.

REVIEW. To be holy is also avoiding evil. Living righteously, getting rid of our old selves and deceitful desires with our hearts and minds completely made new. We must reveal that true life that is upright and holy and devout as Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:22-24, Eph 4:22: “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” That is also changing our attitude for the better and striving for righteousness, godliness, faith and love, endurance and gentleness, fleeing from jealousy, disputes, insults, evil suspicions and harmful pursuit of money. Still difficult? Only you can answer that..