God calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light, transforming us into His children. This transformation is not just a change in status but a profound shift in our minds and desires. As we delve into 1 Peter 1:14-16, we explore the call to holiness, which is rooted in the very nature of God. Holiness, in its essence, is about being set apart, dedicated to God, and separated from what is defective and evil. This concept of holiness is not just about moral purity but about being wholly devoted to God, reflecting His infinite perfection and value.
God's holiness is unique because He is the ultimate standard of goodness and perfection. Unlike anything else, God is set apart unto Himself, being the highest value. His holiness is synonymous with His godness, making Him unrivaled and absolute. This holiness is not just an abstract concept but is meant to be reflected in our lives. As God calls us, He instills in us a desire for Him, transforming our ignorance into knowledge and our former desires into new, holy desires.
The journey to holiness begins with God's call, which is powerful and transformative. This call brings us out of darkness, making us His children and instilling in us the Holy Spirit. As children of God, we are no longer enslaved by ignorance and former desires. Instead, we are given new desires that align with God's holiness. Our minds are renewed, allowing us to see the true value of God's holiness and reject the deceptive allure of worldly pleasures.
As we embrace these new desires, we are called to conform to them, living in obedience to God's holiness. This process involves a constant battle against former desires, but with the knowledge of God's infinite worth, we can overcome them. By holding onto the truth of God's holiness, we can live lives that reflect His glory and righteousness.
Key Takeaways
- 1. God's call is transformative, bringing us out of darkness and making us His children. This call is not a mere suggestion but an omnipotent command that instills in us a desire for God and leads to new birth. [11:39]
- 2. Holiness is about being set apart for God, reflecting His infinite perfection and value. It is not just about moral purity but about being wholly devoted to God. [02:59]
- 3. Our journey to holiness involves a profound change in our minds and desires. As we are called by God, our ignorance is replaced with knowledge, and our former desires are replaced with new, holy desires. [14:16]
- 4. The righteousness of God is His commitment to uphold the value of His holiness and manifest the beauty of His glory. This righteousness is demonstrated in the death of Christ, which vindicates God's holiness while offering salvation to sinners. [09:04]
- 5. Living in holiness requires a constant battle against former desires. By embracing the truth of God's holiness and the new desires He instills in us, we can conform to His holiness in all our behavior. [18:29]
** [18:29]
Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Transformation into God's Children
- [00:30] - The Call to Holiness
- [01:03] - Centrality of God in Christian Life
- [01:36] - Hope and Holiness
- [01:53] - Understanding Holiness
- [02:27] - Separateness and Dedication
- [03:17] - God's Unique Holiness
- [04:15] - The Supremacy of God's Perfection
- [05:46] - Distinguishing Glory, Holiness, and Righteousness
- [07:04] - Definitions of Divine Attributes
- [08:30] - Righteousness and the Death of Christ
- [09:40] - Holiness in Our Lives
- [11:19] - The Call and New Birth
- [14:16] - Ignorance Replaced by Knowledge
- [18:29] - Conforming to New Desires
- [19:33] - Prayer for Holiness