Christian Writers Circle

Be Holy
by Judy Hitson

1 Peter 1:16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

God is holy. The important thing for us is that He calls us to be holy.

I hear: “Holy is to be pure and unstained by the world.”

This is seen in 1 Peter 1:15 Amp. But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct (be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage);

The following words of 1 Peter 2:1-5 reveals more understanding of God’s call on our lives to be holy.

1 Peter 2:1-5 Amp. So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech; like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment], if in fact you have [already] tasted the goodness and gracious kindness of the Lord. Come to Him [the risen Lord], as to a living Stone which men rejected and threw away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God. You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

In my daily Bible reading I found the following words of Job that seemed to parallel the words of Peter above.

Job 27:3-6 NIV as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not utter lies. …..till I die, I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my innocence and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.

Oh that I could speak the words of Job 27:3-6 for my life and walk in the light of the exhortation of 1 Peter 2:1-5, but battles of the flesh, world and devil persist. Thank God for the precious reality of the Holy Spirit giving life to live Christ. This is worth fighting for as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father in heaven, help us by Your Spirit in Jesus’ name to be holy as You are holy in all we do and wherever we go. Amen.