In 1 Peter 1:13-21, the apostle Peter reminds us of the calling we have received. In the Message translation, Pastor Eugene Peterson puts it like this: “So roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” You call out to God for help, and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father and won’t let you get by with sloppy living. Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.”

Peter wrote these words to the persecuted Christians in 5 regions of Asia Minor, reminding them of who they are and who God is. As I read this, I feel like it is just as much for us as it is for Christians then. I feel like we too often have our initial moment after following Christ where life change happens, and then we stop. We don’t dive deeper. We think maybe “I’m better than I used to be” or “I don’t do THAT anymore,” and that’s good enough, right? But God calls us to be HOLY! What does that mean? The dictionary defines it like this: dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred. Sacred!? Living a holy life doesn’t mean perfection, but it does mean being dedicated to the words and purpose of God! As believers, we need to be dedicated! When you are dedicated to a relationship, parent/dating/friendship, you are loyal and committed to building trust and investing in that relationship. A great tool for living a life of holiness is to pray and spend time in the Word, deepening your relationship with God. Practice holiness by confessing sin and asking God to show you ways you can be holy as He is holy!

Takeaway 

Let us pray that we will be free from unconquered sin. Let us affirm that Christ is our holiness—and as we look to Him, let us also desire to be as holy as is possible for sinners to be! Let us pray that we will love righteousness (holiness) and hate iniquity.