DEVOTION – DAY 420

1 Peter:15-16 “Be Holy”

1Peter 1:15-16 “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.”

The Lord is holy and He wants us to be holy. Most people have the idea that holiness means purity, spotless without sin, and being set apart from the things of this world. Whilst that is true, the thinking is incomplete. In its original meaning, when God tells us, “Be holy, because I am holy.” – God is telling us He wants us to be “whole” just as He is “whole” and “complete.” The Bible tells us that man was created in the image of God. Originally, Adam and Eve, the first man and woman were created as complete individuals. This was how God had wanted them to be, just like Him. But we know that Adam and Eve sinned. From then onwards, mankind failed to become “whole” because they were now marred by sin. They were no longer the kind of people God had created them to be. God had meant mankind to be set apart from sin and impurity. But mankind has failed to be set apart. The apostle Peter reminded everyone to again strive for moral purity. Peter reminded everyone that they have been redeemed by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus. Thus, Christians are to remember not to become attached to worldly things (v17), to obey God’s Word (v22) and to love one another deeply (v22).

The Scottish missionary, Eric Liddell, spent most of his working life as a missionary in China, just like his parents. He was born in 1902 in Tianjin, China. He was well known in the field of rugby and athletics during his student years. But he turned his back on sports in favor of a life devoted to God. He left Scotland and returned to serve in China in Hebei in 1925 until the Japanese conquest of his city, and he was forced to evacuate to Tianjin. In 1943, he was imprisoned in a camp in Yantai. The camp was overcrowded and brought out the worse amongst his fellow prisoners. People were selfishly hoarding what little they had. But Eric Liddell showed leadership from the start by helping the elderly, teaching Bible classes at the camp school, arranging games to keep the morale up amongst the prisoners. He continued to show love to his fellow prisoners until one day in 1945 when he suddenly collapsed. Unknown to him, he had a brain tumor. He died in Feb 1945, just 5 months before the end of the war and the prisoners were freed. He had chosen to live for Jesus Christ and to serve Him. He had purposed to be holy because God is holy.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you for you are Holy, Holy, Holy, the Lord God Almighty. Please help us to be holy, and mold us to be more like our Lord Jesus Christ. We humbly ask this in the majestic name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What are some habits you need to stop in order that you can be more holy?
  2. What is preventing you from stopping these habits and why is it difficult for you to get rid of these habits? Share.
  3. Why is it important for us to desire to be holy? Discuss.
  4. What are some steps you can take to be holy? Discuss.