SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1394

“Be Holy”

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:14-16

Have you ever been frustrated by being asked to do something that you were totally inadequate and incapable of doing? At first blush the command to ‘Be Holy’ frustrates us because we know that we simply cannot measure up.

There is none holy like the Lord; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. – 1 Samuel 2:2; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 64:6

Understanding the Command – The tense of the command ‘You shall be holy’ is in the imperfect tense expressing a permanent and ongoing obligation. Contrast this command with the imperative tense Jesus used in telling Peter and those with him to ‘Put out to sea and cast their nets again’ which was an immediate action, once and done. We need to understand that the command to ‘Be holy’ is a process, not a task to complete.

Another aspect to understand is what it means to ‘Be holy’. We often think that the opposite of holy is ‘unrighteous’. In fact, the opposite of holy is ‘common’. Being holy means to be ‘set apart’ from what is common. Being holy is the process of sanctification.

You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean – Leviticus 10:10

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth; For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; – John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3

It is Not About Trying Harder – Paul expressed his frustration with his inadequacy in his letter to the Romans. Being holy cannot be achieved in your own strength and ability – by following religious rules and regulations.

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out… Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! – Romans 7:15-25

Being holy, sanctified unto salvation, is a work of God in us by His grace.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; To be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. – 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:13

It is a Matter of the Heart – Take note of the preface in our reference Scripture: ‘As obedient children’. This command to ‘Be Holy’ is directed to His children, saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, born-again by His Holy Spirit. As His children our heart’s desire is to love the Lord and express our love through obedience.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments; Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – John 14:15; Psalm 37:4

The desires of our heart and our needs are transformed from the common of this world to the spiritual, seeking first His kingdom and righteousness, trusting that He will provide and equip us with all that is necessary for spiritual and physical life.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

How Can We Be Holy?

Repent: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

Remain Connected to God Through Jesus – Jesus answered him, If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. – John 14:23

Be Filled Continually with the Holy Spirit: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16

Renew Your Mind: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

Grow in the Knowledge of God Through His Word: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…- 2 Peter 3:18

Live Reverently and Sacrificially Abiding in Christ: Abide in me, and I in you… Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing… By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love… – John 15:4-11

Be Accountable: And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works; Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. – Hebrews 10:24; Proverbs 27:17

May you rest confident in the knowledge of who you are in Jesus and, in obedience, remain set apart from worldliness, being sanctified by His grace. May you fight the good fight to remain connected to God, equipped with the full armor of the Holy Spirit. Be holy for He is holy.