Be Holy?

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."
(1 Peter 1:13-16, NASB)

As I’ve heard many pastors say, when you see a “therefore” in the Bible, you need ask yourself what it’s “there for.”

Yesterday’s passage spoke of prophets serving us and preaching the “gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.” Today’s verses now put the focus on us. If indeed the prophets spoke truth about the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, what are we to do to continue to proclaim the gospel—the good news?

We have a pretty concise “to do” list here:
• Prepare our minds for action
• Keep sober in spirit
• Fix our hope completely (did you get that? completely) on grace
• Do not be conformed to former lusts

And finally:
• Be holy

Wow. I don’t know about you, but this list is pretty daunting. In fact the “easiest” of these tasks (for me, at least) is fixing my hope on grace. I am so very, very grateful that, forty years ago, God adopted me as His beloved daughter. I’m equally grateful that, almost seventeen years ago, He brought this prodigal back to Himself. I understand grace.

I can even handle being prepared for action, keeping sober in spirit, and not being conformed to former lust—that’s where grace comes in.

But that last? Be holy? Me? With all my flaws and weaknesses and brokenness? Are you kidding me?

I’m far from holy. You may be thinking the same about yourself.

Ah, but it’s not about us. It’s not about me. I’m holy because the One to whom I belong is holy. When I gave my life completely and irrevocably to God, I was washed clean. I was made righteous in His eyes.

And in gratitude, I strive to live as closely to how Christ lived as I can. I desire my Lord’s will. I want to follow His plan.

And I, with His grace, am becoming more and more like my Savior.

Thank You, Abba, for seeing the worth in me. Thank Your for looking past my rebellion, my deliberate sin. Thank You for making me holy in your eyes. Amen.