What is holiness? Many may not know the answer to this question. Does being holy actually matter? Surprisingly enough, you may hear that it doesn’t matter because the Christian is forgiven of his sin. In the lives and hearts of countless individuals, you will find a willingness to accept the forgiveness of God but a shunning of what God calls the Christian toward. It is easy to say, “I have faith,” and thus embrace the forgiveness of God. But the challenges arise when the light of God’s Word shines into the dark recesses of the heart and exposes the sin that dwells within.
God desires holiness in the life of His children. Scripture says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). Here the author of Hebrews states in simple terms that if holiness is not a mark of someone’s life, he will not see the Lord. It is important to remember that in the Bible, no Scripture stands alone as an isolated doctrine. Rather, Scripture interprets Scripture. Therefore, while holiness must be present in the life of a believer, it is also true that what is ultimately at stake is not perfection but direction.
Only one perfect man has ever lived; His name is Jesus Christ. However, the direction of one’s life must be toward God and not away from Him. Yes, there will be times of sin and failure. Yes, there may be times of great falls. Nevertheless, the overall direction of a believer must be toward God in the conduct of his life.
So what is holiness? The Bible has a lot to say about it. The problem in answering this question is the word and topic is relatively foreign to the average Joe. You will not encounter discussions of holiness in the supermarket, nor will you see people talking about holiness on TV. You will not read about holiness in the newspaper, nor will you hear about it on the radio. The culture wouldn’t dare use such a word, nor would it promote such a just cause.
The Bible is the source of truth on this matter, as it is for all other matters pertaining to God and how to glorify Him. First Peter 1:13-15 is the primary text of this article. In it, the apostle Peter calls Christians to holiness because God is holy. In this portion of Scripture, the word used for holy is “hagios,” which bears the meaning of being pure, blameless, and consecrated. It also carries in its definition the idea of being set apart and sanctified. When someone is holy, he will be notablely separated from the world and will find himself abstaining from that which defiles people within the world.
When holiness is spoken of, it is spoken of not just as a separation from sin, but as a separation to God. The Christian cannot be holy only by simply choosing not to indulge in various sins. He must also, as the Bible calls it, put on Christ.
So what are some simple ways in which the Christian can actively pursue holiness in his life? Peter can help us at this point.
Prepare your mind for action by looking forward
Scripture says, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13). In this portion of Scripture, Peter points us forward. He says, “Look forward to the grace that is to come when Jesus Christ returns.” Looking forward to the second coming of Christ will fill the believer’s mind with holy and righteous thoughts.
Peter tells the reader that he must gird up the loins of his mind. What Peter is expressing is a time in which a man would prepare for battle or action. The tunic would hang low, down to the feet or shins. When someone was in battle, he would be unable to move swiftly and fight well. As a result, he would “gird up his loins.” This is when the tunic would get brought up and tucked into the waist belt. This would allow for fluid motion and bring about a poised posture that is ready for battle.
Preparing one for the battle for holiness includes, but is not limited to, looking forward to the second coming of Christ. As one fixes his mind on Jesus, he will, by the very nature of Who Jesus is, be fixing his mind on becoming like Him.
Prepare your mind for action by not looking back
Peter desires that his readers would grow in holiness. However, Peter knew that there was something that would stunt their growth. Scripture says, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance” (1 Pet. 1:14). Peter here basically tells his readers not to desire their past life prior to Christ. A looking back to Egypt, like a dog has a tendency to return to its vomit, is an unfortunate reality in the life of many Christians.
However, the write of Hebrews warns us as well that when people set their minds on this sinfulness of the past, they will eventually return to it (Heb. 11:15). Now that the believer is enlightened and is no longer ignorant, as Peter says, the believer must not return to that which he now knows is unholy.
For the believer to grow in holiness, he must recognize one of the main roadblocks along his journey: looking to the past. When God destroyed Sodom, He left with us a lesson to learn from. Lot and his family dwelled in this place of sin. God desired to deliver Lot and his family. Lot went out and told his sons-in-law of the imminent danger, and they thought he was joking (Gen. 19:14). They didn’t leave immediately when they heard of danger (Gen. 19:15). Even after being further warned of the imminent destruction, Lot and his family lingered (Gen. 19:16). They wouldn’t even leave on their own, but God had to bring them out of Sodom (Gen. 19:16). God told Lot to flee to the hills to avoid the disaster, but he still didn’t listen (Gen. 19:17-19). Finally, the angel told Lot and his family not to look back to Sodom (the past life of sin), but Lot’s wife turned back and looked anyway (Gen. 19:26). She then turned into a pillar of salt.
Don’t look back but press on toward the prize!
Prepare your mind for action by looking at the present
Peter tells us to look forward and not to look back. But in verse 15, he tells us to focus on the present. Scripture says, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Pet. 1:15). Peter here brings us into focus on the day-to-day course of life. This very day, Peter is calling the Christian to a lifestyle of holiness. The Christian is to both look forward while also not looking back. Yet the Christian is to do this while paying close attention to his conduct in the present day in which he finds himself.
An infatuation with the future and what may or may not be can be harmful. A longing for the past can be equally disastrous. God has given each believer this present day in which to live for Him. It is hard to know what the future may bring. Really, it is impossible to know (Deut. 29:29). The Bible declares the unrevealed will of God a secret. But God has revealed a part of His will to us. It is called His Word.
Walk according to the Word of God in whatever situations God brings your way this day. Peter says that when you do this, you will be growing in holiness.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the grace that You have given to me in Christ Jesus. Help me to look toward Christ and His coming this day. Teach me ways not to look back. Help me to focus on what You have called me to this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.