1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.
Holiness! That has become become a strange word in Christendom today. Unfortunately, we tend to swing into two extreme beliefs and behaviours when it comes to this subject. The first extreme is legalism, where we assume that we can attain salvation through our own moral perfection and adherence to a set of rules and regulations. The other extreme is licentiousness where we believe that and behave as though how we live doesn’t matter, so long as we are saved. Both these two extremes do not conform to the teaching on godliness.
To be sure, God has called us to holiness. This is based on the fact that we have now become His children. Peter argues that the passions of sin that once defined us should do so no longer because we are no longer living in the days of ignorance. Rather, we ought to follow in the example of our Father and the one who called us, who is holy. That is, we should seek to be set apart and be morally pure. Our conduct while here on earth should be pure and distinct, proving that we are indeed children of God. The fact that God will one day judge us ought to motivate us to walk in the fear of the Lord in this world. As the Proverb puts it:
The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. (Proverbs 8:13).
In 2025, let us pursue personal holiness in conformity to our new identity in Christ. Let us vigilantly kill sin in us, or sin will eventually kill us. Let us give ourselves to the means of grace that God has provided to combat sin – the Bible (Psalm 119:9-11); prayer (Matthew 26:41); Confession (1 John 1:8-10); Fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25). Let us be holy because without holiness, no one will see God (Hebrews 12:14).
Reflections
1. What has been your view of holiness before?
2. In line with today’s devotion, how will you pursue personal holiness in 2025?
