Text: 1 Peter 1:13-21
In this lesson, we are going to consider the call to holiness. As Christians, we have been called to be holy as God is holy.
Therefore… (v. 13)
- Based upon the previous discussion – God worked to make salvation possible (1 Peter 1:2); He has provided us with a living hope of eternity in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4); salvation is the outcome of our faith (1 Peter 1:9)
- We are to “obey Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:2) – this is part of our salvation
What We Have Been Called to Do (v. 13-14)
- Prepare our minds for action – “gird up the loins of your mind” (KJV); tie up what could hinder mobility; we must lay aside every encumbrance and sin that entangles us (Hebrews 12:1)
- Keep sober in spirit – calm and collected; necessary because of the challenges we face (1 Peter 5:8)
- Fix our hope on grace to be brought at Christ’s return – on one hand, grace has appeared (Titus 2:11); but it will be realized when Christ returns (1 Peter 1:5; 4:13)
- Be obedient children – by the love of God, we can be called His children (1 John 3:1); as His children, we are expected to obey Him (1 Peter 1:2; cf. Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 3:17); this is not inconsistent with salvation being by grace (Ephesians 2:8-10; Luke 17:10)
- Do not be conformed to former lusts – not to live as we once lived (1 Peter 4:2)
We Have Been Called to Be Holy (v. 15-16)
- The Holy One called us – God is the Holy One (cf. Psalm 99:2-3, 5, 9); He calls us through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
- Be holy in all our behavior – to be holy is to be set apart (2 Corinthians 6:17); this must be in all our behavior; every part of our lives must be given over to Him (Matthew 22:36-37)
- Be holy like God is holy – quote from Law of Moses (Leviticus 19:2); this is a call to be different from the world (cf. 1 Peter 4:1-4); we are to strive to be like God (Matthew 5:46)
We Are to Conduct Ourselves in Fear (v. 17-20)
- What fear will lead us to do – obey the Lord (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
- Live in fear because of the coming judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
- Live in fear because we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ – do not want to be guilty of trampling under foot the Son of God (Hebrews 10:26-29); do not want to reject God’s plan from before the foundation of the world (cf. Luke 7:30)
Our Faith and Hope Must Be in God (v. 21)
- Why is our faith to be in God? – because He existed since before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20)
- Why is our hope to be in God? – because He made a plan for us to be redeemed (1 Peter 1:19)
- We must not put our faith and hope in anyone/anything else
Conclusion
- Salvation is available through the grace of God – but we must respond properly to God’s grace
- He has called us to be holy as He is holy – every part of our lives must be given over to Him
