May 23
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CALLED TO HOLY LIVING
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written: “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
– 1 Peter 1:13-16
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In this letter of Peter, he reproves all believers to live holy lives. Here are the following guidelines he wants all Christians to follow:
• Prepare your minds for action- is probably referring to having a renewed mind that doesn’t entertain anything that doesn’t align with the will of God. He also means that we must be ready to obey and follow God’s will without any hesitation or wavering.
• Keep sober in spirit- to be clear-headed in your thoughts and be able to follow the Spirit of the Lord and not your own cravings.
• Set your hope completely on God’s grace- There should be no dependence on anything else but only on the unmerited favor that God granted his children.
• Focus your eyes on the revelation of Jesus Christ- that we must be obsessed to know our Lord Jesus Christ and follow only His ways.
• Be obedient children – to give up all forms of disobedience, rebellion and pride.
• Do not conform to your former lusts when you were ignorant – to let go of all the old lifestyle that you used to live when you didn’t know Christ yet. To wear your new nature in Christ which is never against the Spirit of the Lord.
• Be holy as God is holy- Because we were chosen by God, he has given us the ability to be holy like him if we believe Jesus and follow the revelations that the Holy Spirit gives us.
It is amazing how the apostle Peter is able to break down into details how a believer can live a holy life. It is not his doing, but God has equipped the believer the ability to be righteous because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the minute we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The world has a different interpretation of “holiness.” For them, holiness is an act to appear good and make them appealing to others.
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REFLECTION
• How do you know if you are living a holy life?