These verses in I Peter are a wonderful reminder of how we need to live out our lives in this world. Holiness is a topic that so few want to talk about today. We live in a world that says anything goes, there are no limits, do what you feel like doing, and we forget that our Lord calls us to live holy lives.
I like how Peter starts out in vs. 13 reminding us to prepare our minds for action. You see, the battle for holiness begins in the mind and heart of every person. What we think about many times will end up being what we do in action. So our minds need to be filled with the truths of God's Word so when we are faced with a decision we can act according to his perfect will.
The next part of vs. 13 says to be self-controlled. How many times have we made mistakes because we were not acting with self-control. Self-control means we are disciplined in the way we act, talk and how we judge a situation. This self-control also means setting our hope or desires on what is pleasing to the Lord while we wait for his return.
In vs. 14 we are also reminded to be obedient followers of Christ and not conform to the ways of this world. He speaks of how before salvation one lives in ignorance (agnoia) this means living in moral blindness, having a lack of knowledge of God. But now that we are saved we are to no longer live an unholy life but one that is pleasing to the Lord.
Vs. 15-16 are important for us to memorize.
"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."
Remember that these believers were under persecution and yet they chose to live lives that stood apart from what was around them. How often are we willing to stand apart from the world influences and be holy before the Lord. Perhaps our light would stand out in the darkness of this world if we chose holiness over our own desires.
Lord, help me today to live a life of holiness. Don't let me be afraid to stand apart from the crowd. Help me to seek only you in everything I do.
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