Heaven's Exhortation to Holiness

Written by Mike Winkler, this appeared in the November 21, 1985 edition of the Gospel Advocate.

There is a borderline between the church and the world for the disciple of Christ. One who seeks to stay just as near the world of sin as possible and still follow in the footprints of Jesus has an inappropriate concept of discipleship. The apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 1:13-21, exhorts all Christians of every generation to be holy. It will be our objective to examine Peter's admonition and to see how and why it should be heeded.

The divine admonition to be holy

The inspired penman writes, "Be ye holy in all manner of conversation" (v. 15). The term "holy" or hagios conveys that which is dedicated to God. Contextually, the apostle is calling for his readers to separate themselves from a life of habitual sin and worldly defilement. Elsewhere, the apostle Paul exhorts Christians to separate themselves from the world and its practices and perfect holiness in their lives (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). Too, the apostle to the Gentiles exhorts Christians to holiness in 1 Thessalonians 4:3,7, identifying it as "the will of God."

The apostle Peter, having encouraged his readers to live a life of holiness, further identifies the standard or pattern for that holiness as God Himself, in saying, "as He who has called you is holy, so be ye holy." The divine pattern is in direct opposition to man's subjective desires and pleasures (v. 14).

The means of achieving holiness

"Gird up the loins of your mind" (v. 13). The apostle Peter in this simple admonition is encouraging his readers to collect all improper thoughts and feelings and restrain them so that their journey to heaven will not be impeded. Similarly, the apostle Paul in writing to the Philippian church exhorted them to think on things which are proper and acceptable to God (Philippians 4:8). Remember, one can spill from his bucket only that which it contains.

"Be sober" (v. 13). The verb "sober" or nepho means to be self-controlled. In classical Greek, nepho is used figuratively, indicating a complete clarity of mind and its resulting good judgment. Syntactically, our verb is a present active participle suggesting this attribute should persist and continue in the Christian's life. Elsewhere, Peter encourages self-control or sobriety in the Christian's confrontations with Satan and sin (1 Peter 5:8). See also 1 Peter 4:7 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

"Do not fashion yourself according to former lusts" (v. 14). The apostle in this exhortation is contrasting an outward lifestyle with an inward change, outlined in verse 13. The former lifestyle Peter is referring to is identified in 1 Peter 4:2-3 as one patterned after the world. Similarly, the apostle Paul in writing his Ephesian letter, exhorts the Ephesian brethren, "not to walk as other Gentiles walk..." but "put off the former conversation, the old man" and "be renewed in the spirit of your mind" (Ephesians 4:17-32).

The motivation for achieving holiness

Our redemption (vv. 18-21). The term redeemed or lutroo means to be set free or liberated by a ransom payment. The redemptive payment is identified by the inspired apostle as, "the precious blood of Christ" and is in contrast with the empty monetary commodities of this world (vv. 18-19). Jesus, in His earthly ministry, proclaimed the purpose of His incarnation as being redemptive and ministerial in nature (Matthew 20:28). Elsewhere, the inspired word suggests that the redemptive work of Christ achieved for man his justification before God (Romans 3:24, 5:9), forgiveness of God (Matthew 26:28) and reconciliation to God (Romans 5:10, Colossians 1:20). Contextually, the apostle Peter states that Christ's redemptive act was to produce both a "faith and hope" in God (v. 21).

The judgement (v. 17). According to the inspired penman, the nature of God's divine judgment will be impartial or "without respect of persons" (Colossians 3:25, Ephesians 6:9) and just or "according to every man's work" (2 Corinthians 5:10).

God has admonished every Christian to be holy. This can be achieved if one will control his thoughts, practice self-control in every facet of his life, truly transform his life inwardly which in turn will be visible outwardly and remember the redemptive work of Christ and the judicial work of God.