Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
13 “So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. 14 Obey GOD because you are HIS children. Do not slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you did not know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as GOD – who chose you to be HIS children – is holy. 16 For HE HIMSELF has said, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’” ~ 1 Peter 1:13-16
The imminent return of Christ should motivate us to live for Him. This means being mentally alert (“think clearly”), disciplined (“exercise self-control”), and focused (“look forward”). Are you ready to meet Christ?
The GOD of Israel and of the Christian church is holy – HE sets the standard for morality. Unlike the Roman gods, HE is not warlike, adulterous, or spiteful. Unlike the gods of the pagan cults popular in the first century, HE is not bloodthirsty or promiscuous. HE is a GOD of mercy and justice who cares personally for each of HIS followers. Our holy GOD expects us to imitate HIM by following HIS high moral standards and by being both merciful and just.
After people commit their lives to Christ, they sometimes still feel a pull back to their old ways. Peter tells us to be like our heavenly Father – holy in everything we do. Holiness means being totally devoted or dedicated to GOD, set aside for HIS special use and set apart from sin and its influence. We are to be set apart and different, not blending in with the crowd, yet not being different just for the sake of being different. GOD’s qualities in our life make us different. Our focus and priorities must be HIS. All this is in direct contrast to our old ways. We cannot become holy on our own, but GOD gives us HIS Holy Spirit to help us obey and to give us power to overcome sin. Do not use the excuse that you can not help slipping into sin. Rely on GOD’s power to free you from sin’s grip.
Father GOD, we cannot become holy on our own, we need YOU to give us YOUR Holy Spirit to help us obey and give us YOUR power to overcome sin, so that we can think clearly and exercise self-control. We look forward to the special blessings that will come to us when Christ returns. We want to obey YOU, Father because we are YOUR children. We do not want to slip back into our old ways of doing evil, we want to be holy in everything we do, set apart, not blending in with the worldly crowd. Help us to focus our priorities on YOU.
Photo: Bass Harbor (Maine)
Photographer: Lisa K Gonzales
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