1 Peter 1:13-16 – “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”  NKJV

Through the years, holiness has become a word that many in religious circles desire to avoid.  There are many reasons, including the desire to become more acceptable to the world and lower expectations of discipline and commitment in our individual lives.  In each case, I do not know what the reason is, in each case, I do not know, but I know that holiness is not a bad word to God.  It is something that GOD not only desires but expects because we have Christ living in us, and Christ is HOLY!

Peter’s message to all of us is one for daily living.  He urges us to guard and allow the Holy Spirit to guard our thought lives and to place our complete hope, trust, and confidence in the Lord of Hosts and God’s Amazing Grace!  He warns us not to be conformed to our former lusts and the world but allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ in which holiness is produced in life. 

I am not talking about simply an outward demonstration but something that flows from the inside and becomes worked out in our daily lives.  It becomes part of our nature and character.  It becomes an expression of what is in our hearts that cannot be hidden.  It becomes a spring of living water that refreshes others around us.  I am not talking about becoming Pharisees but Christians who represent the Lord and manifest Him to others around us through our lives. 

Holiness is something to be desired in every facet of our lives.  Do I fall short? I would be lying if I said no.  But I am still pressing toward the mark.  I still find myself needing to repent when I allow the flesh to override the spirit.  But that does not prevent me from desiring and pursuing holiness.  It is my passion to be “like Christ;” if I am “like Christ,” I will live a HOLY LIFE!  It really is that simple!

Therefore, as you go through this day, consider these thoughts I have presented and ask the Holy Spirit to help you “Be holy, for God is holy.” 

May God’s blessings be upon you!