Be Holy? Really?

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:15-16)

Lord, couldn't you make it just a little easier? How about, "Be holier than most people," or "Be as holy as you can," or even, "Be the holiest person in the world." But holy as YOU are holy? That's impossible!

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God's goal for each of us is holiness -- purity of heart and life -- the same type of purity modeled for us by Jesus Christ. And, contrary to what many churches teach, this type of holiness is possible -- and expected -- for any believer today.

To be holy means to be "set apart" for the special use of God, separated from sinful-soul pollutants like greed, lust, and selfishness. To be holy means that your every thought, word, and deed is "set apart" for the exclusive use of God -- obeying the teachings of Jesus wholeheartedly.

Why be holy?

1. Because God has given us great promises. "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (2 Cor. 7:1).

2. Because we are God's children. "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure" (1 John 3:2-3).

3. Because this world is not eternal. "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming" (2 Peter 3:11-12).

4. Because we want to be with God forever. "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city (heaven)" (Revelation 22:14). "...without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:15).

5. Because Jesus died to make holiness possible for us. "...we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all...because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" (Hebrews 9:10,14).

Challenge: In what area of your life could you be more holy? Think of two specific steps you could take on the path toward holiness.

To Read: check out Spirit of Revival Magazine.