“…like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “you shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1: 15-16.
In our discussion last Sunday morning, our theology class seriously considered what it means for God to be holy. But then the question was asked, “what does God’s holiness have to do with me and how should it effect me?”
I enjoyed and was challenged with responses. It was understood that because God is Holy, it is only right that our response should be to pursue holiness ourselves.
The reason being is that God is our sovereign creator who made man in His image, so that we might truly represent Him to bring Him glory.
But as we know, sin entered the world, but God’s perfect holiness and justice did not go soft. His holiness demanded that all sin be judged righteously! And we know that it was God’s holiness, perfectly tempered with mercy, love, grace, compassion and all His other perfections, that has brought about our salvation in Christ Jesus!
So here is the primary reason we are to pursuit holiness. We have passed a second time through the creator’s hands. We have been borne again. We have received God’s grace and mercy - we are now his children. He is our heavenly Father.
We show our gratitude and worshipful hearts toward Him by this holiness pursuit!
And how is that done? Can I suggest, to be holy, as we ought, needs to be a practical action in our lives. It demands that we discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness.” (1Tim 4:7) This means hard work. This means to discipline ourselves, our time, our priorities, to pray, read the Scripture, and to encourage the saints.
I like what Elizabeth Elliot once wrote: Discipline, for the Christian, begins with the body. We have only one. It is this body that is the primary material given to us for sacrifice. We cannot give our hearts to God and keep our bodies for ourselves.