DEVOTION – DAY 601

1 Peter 1:15-17 “Be Holy”

1 Peter 1:15-17 “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.” Since you called on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” 

In the Bible, to be holy means “to be whole and complete”. It also means to be set apart, separated from sin and impurity and set apart to God. God has complete moral perfection. He can never accept evil or sin. Thus, God wants His people to aim for moral purity. Therefore, Peter calls upon all Christians to live in reverence and respect for God. Christians are to be like “foreigners”, and not belonging to this world, with its worldly thinking, values and behavior. They are to be followers of Jesus Christ with their minds fixed on Godly values, and not worldly values.

Before I was a Christian, I was full of worldly values. I was materialistic. I was selfish. I wanted success, and I thought that I may have to be tough to succeed in this world. But when I became a Christian, I started to read the Bible. God gave me His Holy Spirit to indwell in me. Slowly, my values and priorities changed. It did not happen suddenly. It was a gradual change. Later, I realized that God had set me apart. I realized that I must not conform to the ways of this world but be renewed daily by the Bible and let Godly values fill my mind and inform my behavior and actions. That was how I started to think of others instead of pushing my own selfish agendas. I became more gracious and thankful rather than complaining and critical of others. I know I am still a work in progress. I know I am not the “whole” person that God wants me to be yet. But I am on the journey to be holy, for God is holy.

A neighbor who is not a Christian once told me that he would not want to accept Christianity because he knows some Christians behave worst than him. I had to gently tell him we are all “a work in progress” and we will stand before Jesus one day and be judged. Let Jesus be the Judge. I told him there are many bad drivers on our roads but that has not prevented us from driving. In the same way, bad Christians should not be a reason for refusing to follow Jesus.

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, please help us to make daily choices to follow your ways, so that we be the salt and light of the world. Please help us to be set apart and serve you for your glory. We humbly pray in the great name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What are some struggles you face in trying to achieve greater holiness in your life?
  2. What steps can you take to safeguard your hearts and minds on God and His Word?
  3. What does the word “holy” mean to you? Share your thoughts.
  4. How does it differ from what the Bible says about “holy” from 1 Peter 1:15-17 and other passages?