"Following hard after a Holy Lifestyle" (1 Peter 1:15-16)

Let's begin by examining the words of apostle Peter in 1 Pet 1:15-16, "but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." The word "holy" means to be separate. When applied to God, it refers to His transcendence, that He is above and beyond His creation in such a way as to be distinct from it. It conveys the notion of God's purity, in that God is sinless perfection and totally separate from all sin. Because God is holy, He hates sin! I realize that hate is a strong word, however when it relates to the Lord's attitude toward sin, it really conveys an adequate depth of meaning! How does knowing that God hates sin help us in our pursuit of holiness? Holiness is obedience to the will of God, which brings conformity to the character of God! We are to understand and embrace that hatred is a legitimate attitude toward sin. In other words, the more we develop and mature in the knowledge of God, the more we come to hate sin! King David reminds us, "From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:104). We see this same attitude in Joseph when he was tempted to sin! He said, "How then can I do this great evil and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9). Learning to hate what God hates helps us to grow in holiness. Hatred of sin as displeasing to God is the root of what true holiness is about! To be holy people, we must be growing in our personal knowledge of God's holiness. This is evident in what Peter says, "But like the Holy One who called you," and "You shall be holy, for I am Holy." The life of the Christ follower is a process of maturing to know our God as He has revealed Himself in the Bible. Application of this knowledge has a transforming effect on our lives. God has called every Christ follower to a life of holiness! We know that the Lord has accepted us through our faith in what Jesus did on the cross, but it is holiness which sets us apart from the world and to God. It's holiness we're called to follow after and practice, to the glory of our holy God and for our good! Your move. Be encouraged!