The Bible clearly connects what Jesus Christ has done for us with the way we are to live as Christians
Holiness is possible
We are accountable to God (v17)
The Bible clearly connects what Jesus Christ has done for us with the way we are to live as Christians
We an inheritance that cannot fade away
We will be kept for this inheritance
v5 - You are "kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time"
Peter speaks of the salvation searched for by the prophets
v10 - " Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you"
We do not see Him but yet we love Him
v8 - "Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible"
Holiness is possible
God does not tease or tempt any man
Holiness is achievable
God's holiness is within our reach
God is willing to supply all that is necessary for us to be and do as He desires
Holiness is not for specific groups of people (e.g. monks, nuns), but for those who are in the world and grappling with sin and temptation
We are accountable to God
Christians still face a judgement but it is a different judgement
The judgement of the sheep & goats has already taken place and we have been pardoned in The Lord Jesus Christ
There will be a judgement of faithfulness and fruitfulness before God
We will have to take account for every idle word
Be Holy for I am Holy
Reinforcing an Old [Testament] principle & command
"For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." Lev 11:44-45
"Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" Lev 19:2
"Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God" Lev 20:7
God is rooting this holiness in His own character
God's people are to be a distinctive and separate people
Several Old Testament Laws showed this distinction and separation
All males had to be circumcised - they were separate from the male Gentiles
Holiness in the New Testament is no longer related to buildings or objects
Holiness is related to people
Based on God's character or nature
Which of us in this life can ever grasp the Holiness of God?
The Bible draws us again and again to the Holiness of God
God is Holy (Ps 99:3, 5, 9)
Command based on God's prior work
Be holy - be what I have already made you in Christ
God has taken us out of the world
Play your part, be as God has made you
You are set apart for God's use (not your own)
Be in the world but not of the world
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may ?prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom 12:1-2)
Reflects God's current work
"Therefore, my beloved, u?as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, v?work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and ?disputing, that you may become blameless and ?harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" Phil 2:12-15
God is at work and therefore Holiness is possible
God's intent is to make us into the image of His Son
The refiner will see his own reflection in the silver when it is ready
A command that reflects God's purpose for the whole of my life
v15 - "but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct"
God's holiness is required in all aspects of our life
Will what we do help and promote that holiness?
What can we do?
v13 - Self-control, sober, careful, restraint
F. B. Mayer - Be sober
v13 - Sound thinking - "gird up the loins of your mind"
v14 - Obey the father "as obedient children"
v14 - Not "conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance"
v17 - Keeping in pilgrim mode - "conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear"
v13 - Fix your eyes on Jesus - "rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"
