I Peter 1:13-21

I Peter 1:16 contains a command given to the person who would be a follow of God. “You are to be holy, for I am Holy.” This command was first given to the Israelites, and here it is renewed to every Christian.

What does it mean to be holy? Once we understand the meaning, how can one come to experience being holy?

Several Greek words are translated as “holy” in English. In this context, the Greek word for holy is “hagios”. It is a comprehensive word that means more than

• sacred – as we use the Holy Bible
• honorable – Holy God
• pure and free of defilement

The word carries with it the concept of being separated from sin in practice and therefore consecrated to God. It means Godlikeness or being like God in our character and conduct.

The question we need to consider is: how can a person be holy if we understand holiness as Godlikeness? There are some details for us to master in this process.

• Remember your birthright (I Peter 1:18-19)
  • The Bible often calls us to remember
    • Paul to Timothy (heritage)
    • II Peter 3 (God’s past work)
    • Israelites (where they had come from)
  • Its value
    • Our birthright is so rich that it is beyond the price of silver and gold
  • Its purity
    • Our birthright is ours through the perfect blood of Christ

Remembering our past and what God has done motivates us toward godliness.

• Ready yourself for service (I Peter 1:13)
  • Proper mental attitude
    • Let this mind be in you (Phil 2)
  • Sober in spirit
    • Take God seriously
  • Proper outlook
    • Fix your hope
    • Having a target or goal to look to helps keep us straight.

We experience holiness not to boast of our attainment, but to be more effective in service. We need to gird our minds for action. Gird means to gather up loose garments so nothing hinders.

• Restructure your conduct (I Peter 1:14 & 17b)
  • Restructure to obedience
    • It is natural for us to be disobedient; we must change that structure
  • A new conformity (I Peter 1:14)
    • Once we fit the pattern and mold of the world, now we are to fit God’s pattern for our life
  • A new conduct (I Peter 1:17)
    • Conduct yourselves in fear (terror)
      • There is a fear of His righteous power and what He can do
        • Fearful thing to fall into the hands of a Holy God
      • Fear of displeasing Him
        • Not too disimilar to fear of displeasing parents

Holiness or godliness is not an impossible goal for the Christian, but a command which God expects us to follow. It is true that man becomes like the God he serves, and we all serve a God. We will rise no higher in character than the God we serve.

If our god is a god of corruption, we will be corrupt.

If our God is a God of holiness, then our commitment and service will lead us to godliness or holiness.