Two of my children had an argument yesterday. I could see it building for weeks and I’d been trying to quell it while equipping them to handle their feelings. But, when it comes down to it, only they can make themselves do what they know is right. And doing the right thing is sometimes so hard. Yet, I want my children to desire doing the right thing because I know of the fruit it brings.
This is something like our call to holiness.
“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” ~ 1 Peter 1:15,16 (ESV)
In God’s Word, holiness refers to being blameless, without sin, and set apart for God’s service. Holiness begins in Believers when we accept Christ’s blood shed for forgiveness. As we grow in the Lord, our holiness can mature as well.
How can I be “set apart” when I consistently fail and mess up? Like my own children, even though I’ve learned right from wrong, practicing it can be hard. Swallowing the ugly tone before it pops out, being calm when patience wears threadbare, making the right choice even though it requires much more effort… Some days holy living can feel as impossible as flying.
When right is so hard, why does God call us to holiness? Because of His great love for us! The wise Father sets boundaries for us out of the deepest, most personal love imaginable. Like Kathy mentioned He seeks our very best (and His glory) and uses the Bible and the Spirit to teach us for our physical, emotional, and spiritual protection. A commitment to holy living can save us from many woes. The enemy would like us to believe that holiness is impossible, or at least an unnecessary dullness with no benefit. How very wrong!
Peter reminds us of God’s words “be holy as I am holy” (Lev 11:45). In the Greek, “be” means “become, transition, or emerge”. What do these words tell us? That we will become holy as we model ourselves after Jesus. All of this is not solely by our own efforts, but with the help of the Spirit. Like an ugly caterpillar that emerges transformed into a butterfly, the metamorphosis is attainable.
The Pulpit Commentary says this: “So be ye holy in all manner of conversation. In the whole course of your daily life, in all its details, as you move hither and thither among men, take the holiness of God for your pattern.”
Our wise and loving God wishes for His children to imitate Him. The term “Christian” means, after all, “little Christ.” We are told not to conform ourselves to the world, but rather to “be holy, for I am holy.” “For” is a very important little word here. We are not expected to be in equality with God’s holiness (because we could never measure up!) but rather we are to imitate, model, and pattern ourselves after God’s loving, holy nature. (1 John 2:6) When we walk like Jesus, we share Him with the world.
“Let the acts of the offspring indicate similarity to the Father.” (Augustine)
“How little people know who think holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing… it is irresistible.” (CS Lewis)
While we will never achieve perfection this side of heaven, God calls us to holiness so we may enjoy the fruits of a Christ-exalting, God-honoring, close relationship with Him.
{If you’re looking for more information on pursuing holiness, make sure you check out and enter to win (here on DoNotDepart) Kathy’s new Bible study. Another great resource is a [amazon_link id=”1563094320″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Woman’s Guide to Personal Holiness[/amazon_link].}
How has God’s call to holiness touched your life? How does knowing that holiness is for your good and for His glory encourage you?
Click to Tweet these:
“God calls us to be holy because He loves us!”
“We will become holy as we model ourselves after Jesus.”
“God calls us to holiness so we may enjoy the fruits of a close relationship with Him.”
Ali, thank you for this encouraging and instructive post! You did a great job of explaining our call to holiness. I love this: “A commitment to holy living can save us from many woes. The enemy would like us to believe that holiness is impossible, or at least an unnecessary dullness with no benefit. How very wrong!”
Thanks, Kathy! We have a terribly crafty enemy, don’t we? But thankfully we have wise God who can steer us right past those schemes! I’m looking forward to reading your new Bible study! :) God bless!
“All of this is not solely by our own efforts, but with the help of the Spirit.”
Thanks for this crucial reminder, Ali. Sometimes I try too hard to be holy by my own efforts, and it doesn’t work so well. ;-) The transformation is only possible through the power of Christ, not my own power.