1 Peter 1:13-16
Verse 15 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
We have come to the end of our study but are still at the beginning of our journey. There is great importance in our desiring to live resolutions that have eternal impact. To be known as His people requires living as He would have us live. Our verse today reminds us that He is holy and that He requires the same from us.
It is easy to give in to the thought that being holy is just something that is required of “super Christians” but not of the everyday variety of Christians, but that is a lie from the enemy, a ploy to get us comfortable in our sinful ways. But truth is truth and Peter was not speaking out of his own thoughts when he said we need to be holy as God is holy, he was quoting the Lord Himself from Leviticus 19:2. The passage in Leviticus continues with specific laws that show how to act holy and just.
While we know that being holy isn’t a matter of following a list of rules, the Lord, by giving His command to be holy as He is holy, shows it is His desire for us. We can’t do it on our own strength. Each of these resolutions we have talked about this month have been about learning to think like He thinks and act like He commands. If we are truly His followers we should be desiring the kind of life He commanded, no matter the consequences.
To desire a deeper, better relationship with God we need to be intentional about not allowing ourselves to take lightly the commands of the Lord. He didn’t give them to be ignored and didn’t give them as options. When obeyed, they show our love for Him. He said, “If you love me, keep my commands.“ So if we aren’t obeying Him what does it say about our love of Him?
Living according to His commandments brings us to know Him in a more personal way. It shows that we understand that this life isn’t all there is and that when we are living His way in this life we are living for eternity with Him. This should bring us great joy and peace knowing that we are already living for the kingdom. Let’s resolve to love Him through obedience and shine His glory throughout our lives.
Making It Personal
Which eternal resolution do you struggle with the most? Does your obedience reveal your love for God? How do you plan living the rest of your life?
Making It Personal Kids
Why does obeying Jesus show that you love Him? Do your actions prove how much you love Him? What do you need to obey Him about that isn’t easy?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for loving us enough to give us commands to follow. Show us where our love for You is lacking and guide us in living the way of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.