“Therefore, prepare {Gird up the loins of} your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but 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.If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;”- {1 Peter 1:13-17}
In this passage Peter is speaking about our relationship to God. Peter in 1 Peter 1:16 is quoting from Leviticus 11:44-“For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.” “Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.“-{Leviticus 19:2}.
God is Holy; The word for “Holy” in the Old Testament is “qodesh” and means “apartness, set-apartness, separateness, sacredness” and speaks of being totally other than.” Holy has the idea of heaviness or weight of glory. In the New Testament, the word for holy is “hagios” and means set apart, reverend, sacred, and worthy of veneration.” -{Welman}. Totally separated from all other beings is God.He is unlike anyone else. He is all together other than.
“There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You,Nor is there any rock like our God.“-{ 1 Sam 2:2 }. “And one called out to another and said,“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts,The whole earth is full of His glory.”-{Isaiah 6;3}. “I am God and not a man,the Holy One in your midst,” -{Hosea 11:9}. “…Father is Perfect.”-{Matt 5:48 }. God is perfect, no sin in Him, perfectly pure in though word and deed.”Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.”-{James 1:13}, He is ‘other than,’ separate from, different, than any other being. Perfect in purity, Holy in His goodness, Holy in righteousness, Holy in His love. Holiness!
God calls His people to be Holy. There is positional holiness, where the Holiness of Christ is ascribed to our eternal standing with God. Then there is sanctifying holiness which is His followers working out this new standing not for merit, but the new life He has granted to us. It is this sanctifying, which changes us that Peter is addressing.What does it mean on a day to day level?
To be “holy” means “to be separated” from all else as unto God. To be “set apart,” for God exclusively. This is what it means. When you were born again, saved, you were ‘set apart’ by God for God. And with it comes a new desire, new power, new allegiance, new love, new relationship, and it’s all for Him. And He calls us to be “set apart” in the way we think, live, from the world of people who have no relationship that is personal with Him.
Be different because by His doing you are different!
Living Holy shows the inestimable worth you place upon Him!
His Word is our guide and the Holy Spirit within us is our Teacher “guiding you into all truth,”-{Read John 16:13}. He empowers us to both desire and do for His good pleasure!-{Read Phil 2:13}.
Peter quotes to the people, “Be holy as I Am Holy.” But How?
Peter tells us HOW TO… DAILY…LIVE HOLY. BUT HOW?
He tells them in these verses.
THERE ARE THREE COMMANDS
1.HOPE FULLY
BE HOPEFUL IN THE GRACE THAT IS TO BE BROUGHT TO YOU
“Therefore, prepare {Gird up the loins of} your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”
The main verb in this verse is “fix your hope” continually…THIS IS A COMMAND. and this we are to do completely, NOT half-heartedly, or with one foot in the world and one in the things of God! Keep on putting your hope on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Future Grace of what God is promising to do by giving us an inheritance and the final part of salvation our glorification including to have new bodies.-{Read 1 Cor 15:42-44}. And to be fitted by Him to worship Him without sin but flawlessly for all eternity and this we will experience because of His GRACE! How do we “FIX OUR HOPE on The Grace that is to be brought to us…”
He lists two ways,
A. “Gird up the loins of your mind for action.” “Gird up” was used of men back in that day who wore long robes and when they wanted to move quickly without being impeded they pulled up their robe and stuck it inside their belt, and it became as it were a “mini-robe.” And they could move unimpeded! This is what we have to do with our mind, be ready to move unhindered in your thought life from things that would impeded, hinder you from thinking clearly, on Scripture that is to influence you in living a life that is pleasing to Him and is separated for His honor, about His business.
B. “Be Sober…” Has to do with not being intoxicated in the metaphorical sense from the world’s system, value system, so we could be clear headed to think on things above and and not on things of earth-{Read Col 3:2}.
So to be holy in your living…be clear headed in your thinking, priorities and this you can be and do as a result of feeding your mind on His Word so it can transform you to align up with God and His priorities!
“AS OBEDIENT CHILDREN…do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance…”
“As obedient children” or those children of God who are characterized by obedience to God. “…do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance.” He is saying break off with your old lifestyle of the ways, values pursuits of the world, which is summed up by “lusts” and “ignorance.” Don’t allow the world system to squeeze, force you into their mindset and pursuits and “lusts,” the craving for evil, intent and doings. Stop living like you did when you were lost in ignorance of God, His Son, His Salvation, His Word. This is not who you are anymore. Don’t go back there. There is nothing but bondage! Instead “Be holy…” Set apart for God in your thinking and choices you make and this is not left up to us to guess or make yo but according go His Word. And so we much become people of His Word. “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you Richly!” Don’t live impoverished but be wealthy n the Word so you can know His mind and will, and ways in your daily living. Psalm 1:1 says, “Delight is in the Law of the Lord and in it mediates day and night.” Occupying your mind with His Word with the intent to know Him through it and apply it to your life to walk in accordance with His desires for your life! And in doing so you will be changing in your thinking and choices.
2. BE HOLY
“… but 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…“
THE CALL OF GOD…Note God has called you…
A. – CALLED TO CHRIST -“God is faithful who has called you into fellowship with His Son.“- {1 Cor 1:9}
B. – CALLED FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;“-{1 Peter 2:9}
C.- CALLED BY GRACE- “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;”-{Gal 1:6}
D. – CALLED TO FREEDOM -” For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” – {Gal 5:13}
E. – CALLED TO WALK WORTHY – ” Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, ” -{Eph 4:1}
F. –CALLED A SAINT- “…to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints {holy ones}: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”-{Romans 1:7}- {“Holy”-{Hagios}- ” To set apart…to set apart from the world to God.}
G. – CALLED TO HOLY LIVING -“ For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.”… “God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. -{1 Thess 4:7 NLT}. “… but Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;“- {1 Peter 1:16}.
WHO CALLS? God does! He calls and saves, sovereignly, independently, completely, eternally, delightfully {Jude 24}and always with a Divine purpose, as the above verses show!
God “called” us and God will enable us to practically live out a holy life, separated from a life dominated, controlled by sin and set apart BY God TO God… to live to serve and worship Him in truth and Spirit and live daily as His people. It is not a call to live in a cave away from people,by yourself, but among people we live differently because we can, because He calls us to and He empowers us. But how can we do this practically and not fall into a “list” of rules and regulations that have nothing to do with a relationship with God through the LORD Jesus and according to His Word and not some man or woman’s made up “list” to somehow gain favor with God, as they THINK they can apart from the LORD Jesus. Know you start and stand in the place of eternal favor- {Read Rom 5:2}. It is not for merit but in appreciation and respect for Him from a heart of love because He first loved you as demonstrated on the Cross of Christ for you! He has “given us everything pertaining to life and Godliness.” -{Read 2 Peter 1:3-4}. You lack nothing to live holy, progressively sanctified, set apart for Him and identified as His.
You can be different in your attitude and actions because of His Spirit working in you to bring about progressive change in your life to make you more like the Lord Jesus.-{Read Rom 8:29; Phil 2:13}. It is not perfection but a new direction you are now going in the way you are thinking and doing, motivated “For Jesus sake!”-{2 Cor 4:5}. And others benefit ” We do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as LORD and…ourselves your servants…”-{2 Cor 4:5}… and God is glorified.-“ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.“-{Matt 5:14-16}. We do it for Jesus sake…the potential is…others benefit…and God is glorified!
BE HOLY…THIS IS THE SECOND COMMAND IN THE PASSAGE.
“Holiness is showing the infinite value of God in all you do.”-{John Piper}
Be holy as a believer because you have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit and His Word to govern, and guide you…
“Be holy” can be summed up in stop doing what you once did. Stop living the way you used to before becoming a Christian and start living and doing what God would do!
Holy, or sometimes called sanctification, the progressive change that is ongoing in a believer’s life. At the time of the new birth there is a setting apart from sin. Positional holiness, sanctification then there is progressive holyness, sanctification then there is the final, full fruition of our sanctification “…when we see Him we will be like Him.”-{ I John 3:2-3}
3. HONOR HIM
” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; ”
“Fear” speaks of reverence, awe inspiring adoration, appreciation, respect. Not a fear He may hurt you but a loving fear, respect, less you hurt Him. So great, and high is your love, admiration, love for Him! Honor Him as you live upon this earth because He is your Heavenly Father and since you call Him Father then live to honor Him. And note there is a time limit, “…during the time of your stay on earth.” You won’t stay here forever there is a time limit – {Read Heb 9:27} . But as long as you here obey His command to “fear” Him!
THIS IS THE THIRD COMMAND IN THE PASSAGE.
Holiness Is A Family Resemblance!
CALLED- KNOW YOU ARE TO BE HOLY- God has called you to be Holy and He will enable you as He has given you “everything pertaining to life and Godliness,”to live so. -{2 Peter 1:3}
THE THREE COMMANDS…
1. BE FULLY HOPEFUL– GIRD UP YOUR MIND AND BE SOBER MINDED. Be hopeful in the future grace that is coming to you and gird up the loins of your mind and be sober and not intoxicated with this world’s system, recognizing, rejecting conforming to it.
2. BE HOLY– Because you can be. He is your model, power. Stop living like you used to and live as God would have you. CALLED TO LEAVE BEHIND THE OLD WAYS AND LIVE AS GOD WOULD HAVE YOU.
3. BE HONORING GOD and you will be living holy, set apart by Him for Him to display a different life because you are different. You belong to Jesus Christ! You do it because this is His will for you. Do it for God!
The Three Commands – Hope – Holy – Honor!
And the Motivation for living such a life?
“knowing that you were not {ransomed,}redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.“- {v18-19}
The word “redeemed“ means to pay a price in order to have someone set FREE. This, by the precious blood of Jesus. The Motivation for living such a life so you could be FREE is the cost of your FREEDOM and who paid the ransom, the LORD Jesus! You can live this life and owe it to Him to live a certain way, think a new way and choose choices consistent with His desire, design for you! Why live Hopeful,Holy,Honoring to Him? Because of the Cost, The Ransom paid by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is your Motivation, His ransom the manifestation of His love for you is your daily motivation to continually live Fully Hopeful in the grace that is to come… be Holy… and Be Honoring Him because He is worthy!
If you find yourself struggling at times, despair seeking to wrestle you down, or temptation seeking to entice you to sin, then consider Jesus Christ and the price He paid to redeem you and set you FREE spiritually for all eternity! Consider Jesus and His Cross, His Work on your behalf to satisfy the Father. Consider Jesus!