I Peter 1:13-19

There are certain words that produce vivid impressions in our minds and senses: balmy, fragrant, blunt, cynical, joyous. All these words convey certain impressions upon us. Another word that fits into this framework is “holy”. We have certain ideas about what this word means.

Often, our understanding of the word “holy” is misunderstood. We picture a sainted person with a glowing halo over their head, or someone cloistered from the world’s influence.

Neither of these concepts fits the Bible’s view of what is holy. The Greek word for holy is Hagios, which means set apart. The word is used of things and of people. When applied to man, it refers to a state into which God, in grace, calls us, whereby we find cleansing from defilement, forsake sin (as a practice), and live a holy manner of life. Understanding this, we come to recognize that, because of God’s call upon us, everyone needs to live a life of holiness.

• We are redeemed
  • We are bought back
  • God values us

William Dixon lived in Brackenthwaite, England. He was a widower who had also lost his only son. One day, he saw that one of his neighbors’ houses was on fire. Although the aged owner was rescued, her orphaned grandson was trapped in the blaze. Dixon climbed an iron pipe on the side of the house and lowered the boy to safety. His hand that held onto the pipe was badly burned. Shortly after the fire, the grandmother died. The townspeople wondered who would care for the boy. Two volunteers appeared before the town council. One was a father who had lost his son and would like to adopt the orphan as his own. William Dixon was to speak next, but instead of saying anything, he merely held up his scarred hand. When the vote was taken, the boy was given to him. (Neil Strait – Encyclopedia of Illustrations #4482)

• We are representatives
  • Calls for upright conduct
    • Action
    • Attitude
    • Words
  • Calls for consistency of living

Thus, we can see why each of us needs to live a life of holiness. We have been bought with a price. We are called to glorify God in our bodies. After all He’s done for me, how can I do less than give Him my best?