Be Ye Holy
Scripture: 1 Peter 1 v 1 - 16:
Verse 15 - 16: "But as He which hath called you is
holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye
holy; for I am holy."
Hebrews 12 v 14:
"Without holiness, no man will see God."
Peter writes to us rejoicing that we are elect of God,
chosen of God to participate in the grace of sanctification - being made holy
and separated to God for His great plan to work. He has a mighty salvation plan
that flows together when we are filled with faith and trust.
Being separated to God means being separated from some
other things. We must separate ourselves from our former, sinful lifestyle. For
example if we earned our living as a striptease dancer that would no longer be
appropriate. There is no holiness in men lustfully ogling women's bodies. It is
sinful and harmful to the soul.
There are other occupations that would need to change if
you were following Jesus. You could no longer push drugs; print pornography; be
involved in slavery; make or sell occultic games like ouija boards, dungeons
and dragons, demonic video games, statues of demon gods like Buddha, books on
witchcraft and satanism. None of these kind of activities will give a good
witness to your new holy life.
Sometimes we need to separate from our old crowd of
worldly friends. The peer pressure
factor is present at all ages. If you came from an ungodly, blaspheming,
drug-taking, bunch of friends it will be very difficult to stay true to Jesus
while you are with them. God says come out from among them and be separated to
Me.
We have an incorruptible inheritance reserved in Heaven.
It is not subject to loss or taxes of any kind. Our faith is on trial as we
meet each day with its many worldly temptations and there is great victory when
we submit to the Lord and defeat the enemy. It takes discipline and
determination to make the changes.
The things the Holy Spirit has revealed causes angels to
be curious as they do not know about these deep spiritual matters of the
gospel. Stay far away from your former sins and lusts and let your conversation
be clean and pure. As you get closer to the Lord the more you value the
cleanness of your heart. You also realise that compared to His holiness you
have a long way to go to reach your goal.
Because it is written Be ye holy for I am holy. Jesus
wants us to become pure and holy like He is not in a religious way but because
we love Him and want to be like Him. It
is a privilege to grow to be like Him. A work in progress that will continue
until He comes for us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father we are so blessed to be Your
children. Cleanse our lives of everything that displeases You. Let us be holy
vessels in Your eyes. It is our love and respect for You that motivates us
toward holiness. Let us not give up the goal. In Jesus' name. Amen.