Take Time To Be Holy (1 Peter 2:4-13)
Today, I want to start with a question that might seem simple but is incredibly profound: What does it mean to be holy? We often hear about holiness in church, read about it in Scripture, and aspire to it in our lives. But have we truly grasped what it means and how we can live it out every single day if we don’t know what it means?
Imagine for a moment that you are preparing for a long trip—one that requires training and sweat, but also mental and spiritual preparation. This trip demands your full attention, dedication, and a clear focus on the destination. In many ways, our Christian walk is like this. It requires us to be intentional, disciplined, and fully committed to living a life that reflects the holiness of our God.
Today, we are going to dive into a passage from 1 Peter that challenges us to make the preparations, embrace holiness, live in reverent fear, love one another earnestly, and crave spiritual growth. These are not just abstract concepts but practical steps that we can take every day to pursue a holy life.
As we unpack these verses, I want you to think about your own journey. Are you ready for what lies ahead?
Prepare Your Minds and Embrace Holiness (1 Peter 1:13-16)
1 Peter 1:13–16 (ESV) — 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Here we find the foundation for a life of holiness. "Therefore," Peter writes, "preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." This verse sets the stage. It calls us to a mental and spiritual readiness that demands our full attention. Being a Christian isn't passive; it requires action, discipline, and focus.
You see, preparing your minds for action means being ready for the spiritual battles we face daily. It's about being vigilant and sober-minded, not letting the distractions and temptations of this world cloud our judgment. Our hope must be fully set on the grace of Jesus, who will be revealed in all His glory. We know that. This is not just wishful thinking; it’s a confident expectation anchored in the promises of God.
Peter then drives home the point of transformation. "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance." We are called to be different, to break away from the patterns of this world that once held us captive. It’s easy to slip back into old habits, but we are no longer ignorant of the truth. We have tasted the goodness of God and seen the light of Christ. Our lives must reflect this change.
Then, he says it, "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." This isn't a suggestion; it's a command. Holiness isn’t just for Sunday mornings; it’s for every moment, every decision, every relationship, every day, week, month, and year. God is holy, and He calls us to mirror His holiness. This is a high standard, but it is what we are called to pursue with all our hearts.
Verse 16 reminds us why: "since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" This is not new. Our holiness is not about us; it's about God. It’s always been about God. It's about living in a way that reflects His character and honors His name because of what he’s given us. We must strive to be holy because we serve a holy God. Can I just say that this is not about legalism or trying to earn God’s favor? It’s about responding to His incredible grace with a life that seeks to honor Him.
Friends, let’s not shy away from this call. Let’s prepare our minds, stay sober-minded, and set our hope fully on Christ. Let’s break away from our past and embrace the holiness that God calls us to. In every action and every thought, let us strive to reflect the holiness of our God. This is our calling, and it starts with a prepared mind and a heart fully devoted to Him.
Now, let's get practical. What does this look like?
Live in Reverent Fear and Love One Another Earnestly (1 Peter 1:17-25)
1 Peter 1:17–21 (ESV) — 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Reverent Fear (17-21)
Church, as we continue through 1 Peter, let's explore verses 17 to 25, where Peter takes us deeper into what it means to live a holy life. He writes, "And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile."
Think about this: we call God our Father. He is loving, caring, and compassionate. But He is also our Judge, who sees everything we do and judges impartially. This dual role should give us a profound sense of respect and awe. Living in reverent fear means recognizing God's holiness and understanding that our actions matter. He is not a pushover or someone we can take advantage of or manipulate. The holy life is about living in a way that honors Him because of who he is, knowing that he will by no means clear the guilty. He judges impartially.
But he is our Father. So Peter reminds us that we were ransomed "from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ." God showed us that he doesn’t want to bring harsh judgment against us. He wants to save us. So, Peter points us to our major motivation for pursuing a life of holiness. 1. This is God we are talking about. 2. He purchased us. This wasn't a cheap transaction; it was the ultimate sacrifice. Knowing the immense cost of our redemption should motivate us to live differently, to pursue holiness in every aspect of our lives.
Love (22)
1 Peter 1:22–25 (ESV) — 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
But what does this holiness look like in practice? What is reverent fear, exactly? Is that just being really quiet during worship services? NO. Is it just about doing all the right things and avoiding sin? NO. That still misses the mark! Peter gives us a clear picture of all of it: "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart." Holiness is not just about avoiding sin or doing all the right things. It’s not a checklist of things we do to be “good.” It's deeply tied to our hearts. True holiness is demonstrated through sincere, earnest love that comes from a pure heart. If we think we are being holy by following a bunch of laws, we are stuck in the Old Testament.
Why is this so crucial? Because our love for one another is the visible expression of our internal holiness. Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Our love is the evidence that our heart is transformed. Holiness is not external. It’s internal. It’s how the world will see Jesus in us. Don’t get me wrong. The external will be transformed by the internal. The passions of our former ignorance includes things like sexual immorality, corrupted speech, and idolatry. But these things are resolved when the heart is holy and pure.
Peter reinforces this by reminding us of the eternal nature of God's word: "You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God." Our new life is founded on God’s eternal word, and this eternal perspective should shape how we live and love. God’s word calls us to live and love in a way that reflects our eternal hope.
Practically speaking, this means our relationships within the church should be marked by genuine care, patience, and selflessness. We are to bear one another's burdens, forgive as we have been forgiven, and seek the best for each other. This kind of love is a true reflection of holiness. It’s about creating a culture and community where the love of Christ is evident and where people can see the difference Jesus makes.
We take this call seriously. Since I’ve been here, I’ve beat the drum. Focus on your heart. Love God enough to stop living for yourselves. Most of you have answered that call. For you, holiness is not just about personal piety; it’s about how we treat each other. I’ve seen you cry when I touch a nerve. I’ve seen your eyes looking right back at mine with complete resolve and resolution. Many of you have shown me a transformed life, lived in reverent fear, knowing the high cost of our redemption, and loving one another earnestly from a pure heart. This is what it means to take time to be holy. It’s about a deep respect for God and a sincere, sacrificial love for one another. May our lives reflect the holiness and love of our Savior in every way, always.
Now, I’ve just described many of you, but not all. Holiness is a pursuit that many of us are striving for. How about you? Our final passage is a call for you to join in.
Crave Spiritual Growth (1 Peter 2:1-3)
1 Peter 2:1–3 (ESV) — 1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Church family, as we move into the final verses of this passage, 1 Peter 2:1-3, Peter writes, "put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander." These behaviors are incompatible with the holy life we are called to. They are the antithesis of genuine faith, love, and holiness that the impartial judge wants to see. If you are coming in these doors wearing the same clothes as everyone else, what does your heart look like? It’s not enough to look the part. Before we can be holy, we must first cleanse our hearts of these destructive attitudes and behaviors. God wants you to repent now and find the renewal he promises. That’s right, Holiness requires God’s grace and the blood of Christ, but it also involves us turning away from sin and turning towards God.
Notice, Peter uses a beautiful and relatable metaphor: "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk." Think about a newborn baby’s intense desire for milk—it’s a matter of survival and growth. I remember when my oldest son, who was our biggest eater of all the babies, would get his food. He cry for food and he would eat and eat and eat. Then, when he was finished, he would let out an audible sigh, “Ahhhhhhh.” Similarly, we should crave the pure spiritual milk of God’s word with the same intensity. This longing is essential for our spiritual growth. Just as milk nourishes a baby, God’s word nourishes our souls, helping us grow in our salvation.
Why is this longing so important? Because spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentional effort and a deep desire for God’s word. Peter says, "that by it you may grow up into salvation." He talks about salvation as though it is a pair of clothes that don’t fit. Holiness and spiritual maturity that comes through God’s word make it seem as though we are like our Father and deserve to be called his children, though we are not and do not. Our salvation and our sanctification is an ongoing process. We are continually being saved and forgiven and we are transformed into the likeness of Christ. This transformation happens as we immerse ourselves in Scripture, allowing it to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
Finally, notice that Peter adds a poignant reminder: "if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good." This echoes Psalm 34:8, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!" When we experience the goodness of the Lord, it creates a deeper hunger and thirst for more of Him. You know, I don’t have to be forced to eat homemade ice cream. I’m pretty sure that if someone mentions homemade ice cream, they are going to have a hard time stopping me from getting some, and I might struggle to stop eating it. Is that God’s word to you? Does it taste good? Has your experience with the goodness of the Lord made you hungry for more?
Application
Our study of holiness today is a big deal! Holiness is going to help us fulfill our mission. I have been saying that our mission is people, now I will advance that further. Our mission is to bring people into contact with our holy God. We do that, by being holy ourselves and being totally different, as elect exiles.
Before we close, I want to bring you back to the beginning of this. Why do we need to prepare our minds for this? Because holiness is hard. Why is holiness so hard? The answer lies in understanding the spiritual warfare we are engaged in. The world, our flesh, and the devil constantly battle against our pursuit of holiness. Distractions abound, temptations are relentless, and old habits die hard. Without mental and spiritual readiness, we are like soldiers entering a battlefield without armor or a plan.
Preparing our minds means acknowledging the reality of these battles and arming ourselves with God's truth. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." This is why it's hard. The opposition is fierce and unrelenting.
But the text gives us hope and a clear strategy. Peter tells us to "set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." This grace is our anchor, our source of strength. It’s not about mustering up enough willpower or trying harder on our own. It’s about relying on the grace of Jesus, which empowers us to live holy lives. Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to "approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
God provides for us if we will seek his wisdom daily, engaging with God's Word, spending time in prayer, and surrounding ourselves with a community of believers who encourage and hold us accountable. It’s about filling our minds with what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). When our minds are set on these things, we are better equipped to live out the holiness to which we are called.
So, church, let's prepare our minds for action. Let’s stay sober-minded, setting our hope fully on the grace of Jesus. This is not an impossible task; it’s a divine calling, empowered by God's grace and sustained by His Spirit. Let's take time to be holy, starting with a prepared mind and a heart wholly devoted to God.
Holiness is not a distant, unattainable goal but a daily journey of becoming more like Christ. It is a call to live with purpose, integrity, and love, reflecting the character of our holy God in everything we do. As we take time to be holy, we will see God's transformative power at work in our lives and in our community.
May we never be complacent but always strive for greater holiness, knowing that this is our calling and our privilege as children of God. Let us take time each day to pursue a holy life, empowered by His grace and guided by His Spirit. Amen.