Living Holiness: Exploring the Path of Holy Living for God's Chosen Ones

1 Peter 1: 13-2: 3.

In the first 13 verses, Peter points to the identity of followers of Jesus. Followers of Jesus are chosen by God according to his foreknowledge. Peter then clarifies what it means to be one of God’s elect. First, through God’s mercy, the elected are given a fresh start, or a new birth, into a living hope. Our living hope can be equated with the promise of eternal life because of the resurrection of Jesus. As part of our living hope, we have "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade." Our inheritance is kept safe in heaven for us." WOW! (More than cars have the WOW or WA factor.)

Given who we are as God’s chosen ones, what kind of lives should we live? Peter begins to answer the question when he talks about the importance of rejoicing even when life has closed in on us and we face difficult times.

In the next section and beyond, Peter explains more fully the kind of life a person who belongs to the family of God is expected to live. This section from 1:13–2:3 begins with the subtitle in the NIV, to "Be Holy." The title for the section finds justification in verses 15 and 16.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

In our culture, the word "holy" is not an attractive word. Not attractive in part because it is not understood and in part because sometimes the way "Be Holy" has been explained has not been correct.

Our goal on June 25 and the following Sundays is to explore what it means as a follower of Christ to live a life of 'living holiness.' Or as people who belong to the family of God, what kind of lives should we live?

Father, we thank You for adopting us into Your family through Your Son, Jesus. We thank You that You sent Your Holy Spirit to live within us so that we can live out what it means to be Your children. May we honour You as Your children in all we do. Amen!

Peter