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by Sandy Shaw
What do you tend to think about when you have nothing specific to think about? That is a sobering thought – it illustrates what we might be drinking in and concentrating on in life!
We are in I Peter Chapter 1 and reading on from verse 13.
Peter assumes that despite the hardships these disciples are experiencing they remain obedient children.
Do not let your possessions or desires possess you – or your quiet thoughts.
What is it that keeps us going – what was it that kept Peter going?
Peter knows where he is going – after it is all over down here.
When we came to Jesus Christ we changed bosses. We changed 'lords'. We no longer serve sin - but Jesus Christ.
Verse 15 - Peter is dealing with the Calling of God’s people, then Peter speaks about being HOLY – about being different. Never consider that as intimidating or over challenging, or restricting and limiting
He Who called you is holy, so be holy in all that you do. This is a most unpopular verse!
We are called to be like our heavenly Father - to be like our heavenly Dad – as far as character goes. God is not like other people.
He certainly is different - and Peter teaches us - aim to be like HIM!
Our world does not need more clever men - or rich men - but it does need more godly men and women.
We are called to be holy or godly in the highest sense - not in some cartoonist fashion - but as God would make us and shape us. We seek to live as obedient children – as children of obedience.
1 - What does holiness mean? Holiness is a characteristic of God – and Peter wants the people of God to be holy. Isaiah speaks of how God is the Holy One of Israel.
This is more than moral and ethical purity – it is what makes God distinctive and separate from the rest of His Creation – as it speaks of His Love and Goodness and Power and Justice and Truth and Faithfulness – and we are called to reflect this.
We will never share His perfect wisdom – but there are characteristics we can develop or grow. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God is restoring something of the image of God which was lost at The Fall.
This has little to do with culture – the thinking or philosophy of the day.
Holiness has to do with self control or self discipline in Christ Jesus – avoiding carelessness or self indulgence.
It is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Jesus pleased not himself!
Peter thinks of the headquarters of this as in OUR MINDS.
Verse 17 - Live your lives as strangers here.
Verse 22 - It can be summed up in – Love one another deeply from the heart.
Biblical holiness makes people more human – not less!
2 – What does God tell us that motivates us to be holy? This is what God is and we are called to follow HIM. This can prevent us from grieving HIM.
Verse 19 - And also – it is what Jesus Christ has done for us. Jesus has redeemed us – and bought us back for God the Father.
3 – What are the means God employs to make His people a holy people?
Verse 13 – The grace of God in Jesus Christ given to us – this is a primary means.
Verse 23 – the enduring Word of God – this is another means to Biblical Holiness.
Hebrews 12 verse 10 – God brings discipline to our lives for our good that we may share in his Holiness.
Suffering is mentioned frequently in this letter of Peter – again, very few people appreciate hearing about suffering – but we cannot avoid it.
“Holy God, help us to become holy as You are holy – enable us to love one another deeply from the heart – show us what it means to be truly holy as we look at Jesus and fix our eyes upon Jesus.” Amen
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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