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Daily Devotions

1 Peter

1 Peter 
Day 
Day 22

"He who called you is holy"

Text: 1 Peter 1:15

A DEEPER EXPLANATION

It seems that obedience is not a characteristic trait of human beings. Many tend to question the authority behind the call to obedience. The call to be “obedient children” was thus given a deeper explanation.

“But as He who called you is holy,
you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.'”
1 Peter 1:15-16

1. The Person who called us

a) It is the Lord God Himself.
b) One of the attributes of God is “holiness” (Cf. Isaiah 6:3).

2. It is natural to expect that the true children of God

a) Would obey Him as Father.
b) Would take after Him with reference to “holiness”.

3. The idea of holiness is embedded in our being God’s children

a) Our “sanctification of the Spirit” must result in “holiness” (1 Peter 1:2).
b) The word “sanctification” and the word “holy” is actually the same in the Greek text.

4. How may holiness be expressed?

a) The concept of holiness has a few parts.
i) It is God who declares us holy.
ii) It is the Spirit of God who sanctifies us (makes us holy).
b) Our conduct best expresses true holiness.

The word “conduct” is interesting from the Greek standpoint. There are two parts:

i) There must be a turning away from the old sinful ways.
ii) And a turning to holiness, which would be the opposite direction of sin.

5. Because it is written, “I am holy”

a) This text is taken from Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2.
b) This was an express command from the LORD.
i) The holiness of God is highlighted.
ii) The holiness of the believer is also commanded.
c) The Levitical text was cited to strengthen the command of God to practise holiness.