Called to Holiness…  

• 1^st – Be Holy… vs. 13-16
  • Therefore…
    • Therefore [Διὸ] – as a DIRECT result of our LIVING HOPE / INHERITANCE / SALVATION
    • THREE things – we MUST be HOLY / be HOPEFUL / and be LOVING!
  • 1^st – The command… vs. 13
    • Place your HOPE…
      • 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!
      • There is only ONE command here – we are to HOPE [imperative]… 
      • But there are THREE verbs that define HOW – we are to put our HOPE in GRACE!
    • GIRD UP…
      • GIRD UP [Aorist / Participle] the loins of your mind…
      • A single action that has to take place – BEFORE – we hope in the GRACE of God…
      • In Roman times men would weak long CLOAKS that made it difficult to RUN…
      • So they would TIE up their ROBES around their waste using a belt – gird up the loins…
      • It is a Biblical expression that refers to being prepared!
      • I Peter 1:13 – “Think clearly and exercise self-control…” [NLT]
      • Peter is telling us in order to HOPE in the GRACE of God – we need to be PREPARED…
      • Not prepared physically to run – but PREPARED in our MINDS – to follow Jesus!
      • Too often as believers we just meander through life oblivious to why we struggle…
      • We find frustration in living a Godly life – and we never stop to ask why…
      • If we think we will accidently put our hope in the GRACE of God – we are mistaken…
      • It takes a conscious choice to realize our need for GRACE – ask for HELP!
    • SOBER…
      • SOBER [Present / Participle] – 6x in NT – to have SELF control…
      • Continual action that takes place – at the SAME time – we HOPE in the GRACE of God…
      • We need to be CALM – collected – not caught up in the emotions of the moment…
      • Because if we are reacting to what is happening – we are not looking to Jesus!
      • I had a friend call me years ago – asking for prayer – car repossessed / evection notice…
      • He was asking for me to pray that God would send him a bunch of money…
      • OK – that was an option – but I asked what if God wants to do something bigger!
      • Most of us tend to get caught up in the moment – miss the bigger picture…
      • Be SOBER and realize that God is in control of ALL things – and He is working…
      • We do not need to react – we need to be open to what He wants to do in our lives!
    • HOPE…
      • HOPE [Aorist / Imperative] – 54x in NT – what we expect will happen in the FUTURE…
      • We are to be PREPARED / have SELF control – so that we can HOPE to the FULLY…
      • FULLY [τελείως] – only here NT – better translated COMPLETELY!
      • We are to hope COMPLETELY for the GRACE that is BROUGHT at the revelation of Jesus…
      • REVELATION – would seem to suggest we are WAITING for Jesus return…
      • But BROUGHT [present / passive] – means Jesus is constantly revealing Himself to us!
      • So we are COMMANDED to completely HOPE on the GRACE of Jesus DAILY!
      • There are so many Christians who are under the bondage of legalism…
      • Thinking the more they do for God – the more they will grow in God…
      • The more they read the Bible / go to church / pray / give – the more God will bless them!
      • But it is the GRACE of God that saves us – AND matures us in our walk in Jesus…
      • Only GRACE can bring lasting change – a transformed heart and new life…
      • As we completely put HOPE daily in GRACE – we are changed from the inside out!
  • 2^nd – The illustration… vs. 14
    • Obedient children…
      • As obedient children – not conforming yourselves to the former lusts as in your ignorance!
      • All parents know kids do NOT always want to obey…
      • They have their own IDEAS – and their own PLANS – they would MUCH rather follow…
      • But they also lack EXPERIENCE and WISDOM – so their ideas usually get them into trouble!
      • Which is why it is so important for them to be OBEDIENT to their parents!
      • This same illustration applies to us – we are to be OBEDIENT to our heavenly Father…
      • Not running after our IDEAS – thinking somehow – we know better…
      • We should be TRUSTING what God tells us to do – is ultimately the best for us!
    • Not conforming…
      • CONFIMING [συσχηματίζω] – 2x in NT – to follow the example of another!
      • Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed [συσχηματίζω] to this world – but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
      • Before we knew Jesus – we had no other guide in life but our wants [lusts]
      • So we chased after money – position – possessions – relationships…
      • But none of those things every brought us HOPE – never changed our lives…
      • When we chased after this world – CONFORMED – it brought momentary bliss…
      • But it was a shallow fulfillment – no matter what we tried the HOPE did not last!
  • 3^rd – The conclusion… vs. 15-16
    • Be HOLY…
      • But as He who called you is holy – you also be holy in all your conduct!
      • Holy [ἅγιος] – 161x in NT – to be set APART for God…
      • We are commanded [imperative] to be set APART – in all of our CONDUCT…
      • CONDUCT [ἀναστροφή] – how we talk – how we live our lives!
      • Because if we as Christians look and act just like those who do NOT know Jesus…
      • Why would anyone want to hear about Jesus – come to church…
      • God calls us to be HOLY- we are called to be SAINTS [ἅγιος]
      • The NT word for church [ἐκκλησία] – means to be called out of this world…
      • It is only as we are HOLY – that we are able to shine and point others to Christ!
    • Be LIKE God…
      • Because it is written – Be holy – for I am holy – Leviticus 19:2
      • Why are we to be like God – because we are His AMBASSADORS to a lost world…
      • And the last things we want to do is MISREPRESENT God – we want to reveal Him!
      • Our sun is so big – if hollowed out – could hold 1.3 million earths…
      • Antares – is a much larger star – 850x the size of the sun…
      • VY Canis Majoris – the largest known star – could hold 9.3 billion suns!
      • Yet they are only a small speck of light in the sky – because they are so very far away!
      • God is huge – but lost sinners are very far from Jesus…
      • It is though our HOLY lives that we magnify Christ so that they can see His love!
      • Not by trying hard to live up to some standard – but by being transformed by Grace!
      • Psalm 34:3 – “Magnify the LORD with me – and let us exalt His name together.”

• 2^nd – Be Hopeful… vs. 17-21
  • 1^st – No partiality… vs. 17
    • And [since] you call on the Father – who without partiality …
      • No partiality – only here NT – to NOT take things at face value…
      • Acts 10:34 – “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality [same root].”
      • God does not care about labels – gender – nationality – social status – religion…
      • God is not impressed by the outside – the Lord looks at the heart – I Samuel 16:7
      • No matter how good a person looks – if the HEART is not right it is NOT GOOD…
      • In contrast – if our HEART is right – no matter how the outside looks – we are OK!
      • When we get saved Jesus does not clean the outside first – He takes care of the HEART…
      • Then in time the outside comes to reflect the new life we have on the inside!
    • Judges according to each ones work…
      • One day all will stand before the throne of God to be judged – Revelation 20:11-12
      • There will be two sets of books opened – the BOOKS and the book of LIFE…
      • If our name is found written in the book of LIFE – then we are saved…
      • If not – then the BOOKS are opened – and we are judged according to our works!
      • Hebrews 4:13 – “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
    • Conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear!
      • CONDUCT [ἀναστροφή] – how we talk – how we live our lives…
      • FEAR [φόβος] – to have reverence or respect…
      • We are commanded [imperative] to live our lives in REVERENCE to the LORD!
      • Psalm 111:10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…”
      • Much of the world today scoffs at the Bible – because they do not fear the Lord…
      • They do not fear the judgment seat – they do not fear the Lake of fire…
      • And since God has no PARTIALITY – we are to be WISE – and walk in the FEAR…
      • Because there are only two kinds of people when it comes to God…
      • Wise sinners who FEAR the Lord and see their need for Jesus – and those who do not…
      • For those who reject Jesus – all that waits them is certain and terrifying judgment!
      • Hebrews 10:31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God…”
  • 2^nd – False Hope… vs. 18
    • Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things – like silver or gold…
      • KNOWING [εἴδω] – to see or perceive…
      • We SEE [perfect] – we were not redeemed by PERISHABLE [earthly] things…
      • REDEEMEED [λυτρόω] – 3x in NT – to release by payment of RANSOM!
      • The picture here is powerful – we are held RANSOM by SIN…
      • And no amount of SILVER or GOLD is going to be able to set us FREE!
      • We cannot show up to HEAVEN and HOPE to buy our way in!
    • [or] from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers!
      • AIMLESS [μάταιος] – useless – CONDUCT [ἀναστροφή] – how we live…
      • TRADITIONS – only here NT – what our FATHER passed onto us!
      • The idea here is that we try to escape SIN – through useless TRADITION…
      • But our RELIGION could do nothing to free us – pay the RANSOM!
      • TRADITIONS seem to be a good idea – and many depend on them to guide their lives…
      • But they ALWAYS fails – RELIGION can only control the outside – not change our heart!
      • Colossians 2:21-23 – “Rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them.  These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion – humility – and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a persons evil thoughts and desires.” [NLT]
  • 3^rd – True Hope… vs. 19-21
    • What REDEEMED us… vs. 19
      • But with the precious blood of Christ – as of a lamb without blemish and without spot!
      • God sent Moses to deliver Israel from the Pharaoh – bring them out of bondage…
      • God sent TEN plagues on the Egyptians – ending with the Death Angel…
      • The Jews were spared – IF – they put the BLOOD of the LAMB on their doors…
      • Then the Death Angel would PASSOVER them and they would be saved!
      • John 1:29 – “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
      • Jesus is the LAMB of God – it is through His death PASSES over us…
      • The ransom was paid – we have been REDEEMED from the bondage of sin!
    • When He REDEEMED us… vs. 20
      • He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world…
      • But was manifest in these last times for you!
      • FOREORDAINED [προγινώσκω] – to KNOW beforehand [before the world began]
      • The Lamb of God was slain – BEFORE the foundations of the World – Revelation 13:8
      • God KNOWS all things – He sees the end from the beginning – Isaiah 46:10
      • God KNEW that by creating man – it meant He had to DIE – Isaiah 53:5
      • How much does God love us – He created us knowing it would cost Him His life…
      • The HOPE of the GOSPEL – is the revelation of His GREAT Love for you and me!
      • Romans 5:8 – “God demonstrates His own love toward us – in that while we were still sinners – Christ died for us.”
    • Why He REDEEMED us…
      • Who through Him believe in God – who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory…
      • So that your faith and hope are in God!
      • SO THAT our faith [trust] and HOPE are in God…
      • Because of what God did – paying our RANSOM – we now believe in God!
      • God loves us and desires to have a relationship with us – but that means TRUST…
      • But we might question – how do we know that God really love us…
      • Because of what He has done for us – we can have absolute TRUST in Him!
• 3^rd – Be Loving… vs. 22-25
  • 1^st – Love one another… vs. 22
    • Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit…
      • PURIFIED [ἁγνίζω] – we have been made HOLY [perfect / active]
      • FIRST – by OBEYING [like little children] – the TRUTH…
      • TRUTH – speaking of the Word of God – more on that in a moment…
      • SECOND – through the Spirit – speaking of the transforming work of the Holy Spirit!
    • In in sincere love of the brethren…
      • The result of being PURIFIED [ἁγνίζω]
      • SINCERE [ἀνυπόκριτος] – 6x in NT – not hypocritical…
      • LOVE [φιλαδελφία] – brotherly love for one another!
      • The result of being HOLY is that we LIKE each other!
      • We do not just pretend to get along – fake it – we actually do care about one another!
    • Love one another fervently with a pure heart!
      • LOVE [ἀγαπάω] – a to have PERFECT love…
      • It is not enough to LIKE – we are COMMADNED [imperative] to LOVE each other…
      • FERVRENTLY – only here NT – the word means to stretch out – reach out!
      • We are given a contrast between our LOVE [φίλος] and perfect LOVE [ἀγαπάω]
      • We may be able to LIKE [φίλος] people – who are LIKEABLE…
      • We can be KIND to people – who are KIND back to us…
      • But LOVE [ἀγαπάω] – means to REACH out [fervently] to those who are UNLOVABLE…
      • LOVE means to UNCONDITIOANLLY caring for others REGUARDLESS of what they do to us!
      • LOVE is what God did for us – when He sent Jesus to die on the cross!
      • I John 4:10 – “This is real love – not that we loved God – but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” [NLT]
  • 2^nd – How we LOVE… vs. 23-25
    • Born AGAIN…
      • Having been born again – not of corruptible seed but incorruptible!
      • BORN AGAIN – same word from I Peter 1:3
      • Not born of corruptible seed – speaking of our FIRST birth – physical birth…
      • But of incorruptible seed – speaking of our SECOND birth – salvation!
      • It is impossible for us to have his kind of LOVE on our own…
      • It is only as we are BORN AGAIN – we can have perfect LOVE…
      • As we are full of the Spirit of God – the FRUIT from our lives will be the LOVE of God!
      • Galatians 5:22 – “The fruit of the Spirit is love…”
    • The Word of God…
      • Through the word of God which lives and abides forever…
      • Because – All flesh is as grass – and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
      • The grass withers – and its flower falls away – but the word of the LORD endures forever!
      • Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you!
      • All flesh – the glory of man – is like the flower of grass that withers and falls away…
      • But the word of the Lord endures forever – Isaiah 40:6-8
      • And this the WORD – GOSPEL [εὐαγγελίζω] that has been preached to us!
      • Our love is conditional – we tend to show love to those who love us back…
      • Because we are just HUMAN – like the flower that withers and falls…
      • But that is NOT the LOVE that God desires to flow from us – define us…
      • And as we spend time in the Word – we will begin to reflect the LOVE from the Word!

John 13:35 – “All will know that you are My disciples – if you have love for one another.”