Skip to main content

357. Our Charge in “I Am”

1 Peter 1:13-21
Key verse:  “Just as He who called you is Holy, so be holy in all you do.”
1 Peter 1:15

Our reading for today stands as a good summary of all we have been through together in this past year. We have seen how God, who existed before the foundations of creation itself was laid, existed for all time.  He chose a people and became their Father. He called them to “Holiness,” or “set apartness,” but they either could not or would not do so.  He became guide, protector, shelter, refuge, strength and wisdom, but they couldn’t understand.  So, He became like them, taking on human form to set an example that they couldn’t deny.

Now, in Him, we have all we need, as His adopted, chosen children, if we respond to His call and obey Him.  Can we become Holy?  Can we become set apart?  Why would the command still be given if it couldn’t be achieved? Does God ask us to do the impossible without Him?

“Just as He who called you is Holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:  “Be Holy, because I Am Holy.”  (1 Peter 1:15-16)  The command is the same as it was in Leviticus.  Then however, they only had a sketch to follow.  Moses had a personal relationship with God, but none of the other children of Israel, not even Aaron, Moses’ brother, who had been appointed the first high priest, enjoyed such a benefit.

Now, we see Jesus face to face thanks to the help of the Holy Spirit.  Now, we have at our side all of the “I Am,” living water, bread, light, shepherd, protector, truth, nourishment and life itself for our aid.  The eternal creator is beside us, within us, to guide us into His Holiness.

By His choosing we are set apart.  By His empowering, we are enabled to live a life that pleases Him.  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”  (1 Peter 1:18-19)  

 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.”  (1 Cor. 6:19-20) “Therefore, I urge you in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual act of worship.”  (Rom. 12:1)  Do you see how much God has invested in you? Would He have done so if He didn’t think that His plan for you could be accomplished?

You are an investment and God wants a return.  You are precious to Him and so are your friends and co-workers and family.  He paid for all, not just some!  He desires fruit, not just a branch.  The eternal creator is with you and within you.  Trust Him, obey Him and in so doing, do the impossible for Him through the guidance of His Holy Spirit.

Hymn:  “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

211. The Sons of Thunder's Request

Matthew 20:20-28 , Mark 10:35-45 , Key verse: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43B-44 In our readings for yesterday, in which Jesus outlined what was about to happen to Him, for His disciples, the passage in Luke ends: "The disciples did not understand any of this. It's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about." ( Luke 18:34 ) Now, we see just how truly clueless they were. Jesus had laid out a plan before them of pain and suffering and death and now James and John are focused on a promotion. The disconnect is so obvious. It's really not important to know whether James and john came up with this request on their own or if their mother put them up to it. The request was made and James and John thought that they could handle the responsibility that would come with it. What is that saying, "Fools rush in where angels fe...
Post a Comment
Read more

201. All for God's Glory

John 9 & 2 Corinthians 12:7-12 Key Verse: "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:3 In this event John records my personal favorite from all four gospels. I love it for its detail. I love it because it demonstrates so much of our human frailty. It shows us how powerful our fears can be in the midst of God's amazing grace and glory. First, we have the disciples who are suffering under the misconception that sickness and unfortunate circumstances are the result of sin only. They are thinking like Job and his friends. If you obey you will always be blessed and if you sin, God will punish you for it. They couldn't imagine that God could have possibly designed this man, blind, for His own glorious purposes. Then we have the neighbors who are all amazed, but then what? What do you do when the mold has been broken? This man was blind and now he...
Post a Comment
Read more

These Boots are Made for Walking

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-15 These Boots are Made for Walking. Of course, I picked that title because it has a reference to popular culture, and it connects with our text today about “feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” I was tempted to play the video of that song, but it’s really not amenable to worship. If you remember that old song, it was quite confrontational. The singer had a righteous complaint against a boyfriend or spouse who was cheating on her. She’s not going to put up with that, and the song goes on to say, “One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!” And that “take a stand” bravado made her a hero! It was a #1 hit in 1966. I mention it because it has one interesting parallel and one major contrast with the message of grace and forgiveness. That parallel is this. God has a righteous complaint against the entire human race for cheating Him out of the loving relationship He desires with us. As the God who created us, he h...
Post a Comment
Read more