A Call to Holiness pt 2
12-26-2018
In the end of 1 Peter 1 he is telling us that the Word of God endures forever but flesh and the glory of man withers away like the grass. Then he goes on to say THEREFORE… Remember we always look back to see why they use “therefore” because they are connecting it to what they said before… He is explaining that because we are now living with souls purified before God it’s time to lay aside the flesh.
YUCK! That’s the part none of us really want to hear! In other words, get that soulish realm in check with the Holy Spirit and start walking in self-control!!
He says, “Lay aside all ill-will and bad nature, all craftiness and deceit, all hypocrisy – acting as someone you are not and dissimulation, all corruptness and jealousy, all evil speaking – back biting, slander, talk against others, gossip as the immature (newborns) in Christ would do but desire and long for the Word of God as a child desires to learn, growing into your salvation.” Matthew 18:3 even reminds us that unless you become as a little child (that desire and willingness to learn, grow and love) you will not inherit the kingdom of God. In other words, as long as we are walking around with a “know it all” attitude, living in the flesh, not learning or growing in Christ and being prideful we will NOT walk in the authority, power and LOVE of the Kingdom. You will not experience all the kingdom of God is on earth as it is in heaven!
Did you know that God has chosen us as living stones? Jesus Christ was a carpenter, but one thing I want you to remember is that in His days, everything was built out of stone and just as cement is now our way of making solid foundations before building a home… stone was theirs. In Isaiah 28:16 the Lord says, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; WHOEVER believes will not act hastily.” This is a prophecy about Jesus Christ, He is the chief cornerstone, the strength, the foundation all the rest of God’s living stones are built upon!
Peter goes on to say that HE, God, is building us up into spiritual houses, a holy priesthood through Jesus Christ. But first we have to believe this and in that believing He comes in and begins such an amazing work! The word tells us that honor is for those who believe but stumbling and offense are for those who choose not to believe.
Those who believe in Jesus Christ and are living a life of surrender to Him, those who have confessed with their mouths and placed Him on the throne of their hearts… ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION, a royal priesthood, a HOLY PEOPLE – His OWN special people!!!! AAAHHHH that is so amazing! He chose us, He calls us HIS OWN!!! He reached down into the darkest parts of our life and pulled us out into the glorious truth of His light! In His mercy He SAVED US!!
Why would we not want to walk holy before Him? How can we not want to fall on our face in worship before the one who literally died to cover my sin?
So many times, this is because we are still waring with the desires of our flesh, our soulish realm! Peter goes on in vs 11…
Beloved, I BEG you, abstain from fleshly (carnal – worldly) lusts which war against the soul. When we give in to the flesh (walk in worldly conduct) it does two things… 1. Keeps us from spiritually maturing, this is soul salvation which we will forever be walking out because we are all born with a fleshly nature, but it’s so important to allow Holy Spirit in to guide us DAILY!!! 2. It gives the world something to hold over our heads AND keeps them from wanting God. The world is looking for hypocrites – they will find anything they can to say… “Oh you call yourself a Christian?” and they will point their fingers at us and say, “That’s why I don’t go to church, its just full of fake people.”
Peter tells us not to give anyone reason to speak evil against us but to only give them reason to glorify God. Honorable conduct, my friend, is living a holy lifestyle!
Peter goes on to say that by living free and in holy conduct, honoring EVERYONE, loving our fellow man, fearing God and honoring ALL leadership (governmental too 😉) that we silence the foolish and ignorant. They won’t have a reason to point a finger!
I will end with this… in verse 21 Peter says for this WE WERE CALLED… Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow His footsteps:
· He did not walk in sinful nature
· Spoke no deceit
· When reviled (reproached and abused), He did not return it
· When suffering, He did not threaten
· He trusted Himself to God
Jesus took our sins on in His own body that WE could live in righteousness (right standing with God), walking in healing and restoration, knowing that He is the shepherd and overseer (guardian) of our souls.
Jesus Christ = Kingdom character! He came to this earth as an example of holy conduct and living. He has called each of us to be a part of His royal priesthood and holy nation, but we must return to the reverence of God that drops us to our knees and we must return to a holy lifestyle that keeps us pure before Him. Is it a journey?? ABSOLUTELY!! Peter even said, “I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts.” In other words… we are on a journey and we are going to make mistakes, we are all going to step away from holiness more than we truly want to or think we have but the amazing thing is that God truly is a God of grace and He truly does forgive us, pick us up, dust us off and set us back on our path BUT we have to be humble enough to admit and allow it! Pride keeps us from so much and keeps us constantly in the flesh!
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you! 1 Peter 5:6
Keeping ourselves humble keeps our hearts pure because we stay open and honest before God and receive correction and direction!
Father, all I can say is, help me to keep a contrite and humble spirit and attitude before You. Your Word says in Isaiah 66:2 THIS is the one to whom YOU look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at Your Word! I desire Your Word and I ask that You give me a new-found reverence for You and Your Word. Father I want to walk holy, pure and humble before You. Thank You for loving me, being so very patient with me and for showering me with grace and mercy as I continue to journey with You. I am Yours and You are mine! Holy Spirit help me to walk with a humble heart and in the love of God towards all those in my life, break all pride off of me… In Jesus Name, Amen.