1 Peter 1:16
because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Truth to Learn
God wants us to be completely set-apart to Him.
Behind the Words
“Because” is from the Greek word dioti, which is made up of dia, meaning “through” or “for” and hoti, meaning “that.” So literally it means “for that reason.”
The word translated “written” is a form of graphō, which means “to engrave” or “to write.” The word is used here in the perfect tense indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect where the emphasis is on the effect. That is, it was written and therefore is now written down for all to see.
Meaning Explained
In the previous two verses we were admonished to not be conformed to our former lusts which we followed in our ignorance, but instead to be holy (set-apart and pure) in our behavior because He who called us is holy. Now, in order to explain why we need to be set-apart, Peter quotes from the Old Testament, where God said:
For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy (Leviticus 11:44)
The word translated “sanctify” is the verb form of the same word that is translated “holy” in this Old Testament passage. As we mentioned in the previous verse, one of the key elements of sanctification, or holiness, is the notion of being “set-apart.” A sanctified vessel is one that is set-apart for service in worshipping God. To sanctify oneself, therefore, also carries with it the notion of setting oneself apart. But how do we do that?
In Romans 12:1,2 the Apostle Paul put it this way:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
According to this passage, the way we are to become a holy, living sacrifice is to present our bodies to God. Our body becomes a sacrifice because we give up control over the use of it and commit to letting God choose how we use it. Then, Paul says we are to set ourselves apart from the world system. In other words, instead of allowing ourselves to be controlled by the world system; instead of learning to think and act like we are constantly being pressured to think and act, we need to allow our minds to be renewed by God. And the only way that can happen is by reading and studying the Bible.
Let me repeat that: the only way we can renew our mind and become set-apart to God is by reading and studying the Bible.
Application
On a scale of one to ten, where one is not at all set-apart and ten is completely devoted and committed to God, where are you right now? (Hint: God wants you to be a ten. Anything less means you have more submitting to do.)
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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