1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on thegrace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior ; 16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
This is one of those verses that pushes me to think, “He’s got to be kidding.” Does God really mean for us to be Holy like He is holy? What an overwhelming command! It seems impossible. But there are two aspects of this command we must not forget. First, He doesn’t command for us to be holy on our efforts. The Lord is committed to do this in our lives—make us holy. We know the process as sanctification. And that’s the second important aspect, sanctification is a process, a three-stage process by which He sets us apart for His purposes.
Stage one occurs at the moment of our salvation. When God declares us righteous, we are positionally holy. The second stage is a progression of growth as we become more and more in practice what we already are in position. This process will continue for as long as we are alive on this earth.
The Father has predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son, and He is continually working to shape our conduct, character, and conversation. Although God is the one who accomplishes the transformation, we have some responsibility in the process. If we don’t cooperate with Him, the world will squeeze us into its mold, and we will miss the great plans He has for us.
The third stage of sanctification is our ultimate perfection when we will possess absolute holiness. Upon our physical death, soul and spirit are freed from sin, and in the resurrection, our bodies will be made perfect. We will stand faultless and spotless before Christ.
It’s the third stage, the goal, that we should keep in mind, that should keep us motivated to cooperate with the work of God in our lives. The more we become like Him in this life, the fuller this life will be.
Be holy and be blessed.
Nick
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