Embodying Holiness: Living Set Apart for God
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the one character that our Heavenly Father desires for us to embody: holiness. Drawing from 1 Peter 1:16, we are reminded of God's command, "Be holy because I am holy." Unlike God's incommunicable attributes such as omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience, holiness is a communicable attribute that God shares with us. Holiness is not merely a moral or religious concept but a profound quality that sets us apart, making us different in purpose and quality.
We delved into the deeper meaning of holiness, which is often misunderstood as mere moral superiority or religiosity. The Hebrew word "kadosh" and the Greek word "hagios" both convey the idea of being set apart or different. As followers of a holy God, our lives should reflect this difference. Our actions, values, and even our leisure activities should be distinct, demonstrating that we are set apart for God's purposes.
The scripture reading from 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 provided practical directions for living out holiness. We discussed four dimensions of holiness: hope, redemption, love, and the Word of God. Holiness begins with setting our hope on the future grace of Christ, which is not just a distant dream but a present reality that shapes our actions. We are called to appreciate our redemption, recognizing the precious blood of Christ that bought our freedom. This appreciation should lead us to live in reverent fear, not out of terror but out of love and respect for God's judgment.
Holiness also involves loving one another deeply and sincerely, as Christ loved us. This love is not self-serving but sacrificial, reflecting God's holy love. Finally, we need to nourish ourselves with the Word of God, craving it like newborn babies crave milk. This spiritual nourishment helps us grow in our salvation, fitting us into the righteousness and glory of Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Holiness as a Communicable Attribute: Unlike God's omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience, holiness is an attribute that God shares with us. It sets us apart in quality and purpose, making our lives distinct and reflective of God's character. Holiness is not just about moral superiority but about being different in a way that glorifies God. [01:24]
2. Hope in Future Grace: True Christian hope is anchored in the future grace of Christ, which is a present reality that shapes our actions. This hope is proactive, preparing our minds for action and setting the tone for holiness. It connects the present to the future, making our faith dynamic and forward-looking. [10:26]
3. Appreciating Our Redemption: Our redemption through the precious blood of Christ should lead us to live in reverent fear, not out of terror but out of love and respect for God's judgment. This appreciation transforms our lives, making us conscious of the immense sacrifice made for our freedom. [19:25]
4. Loving One Another Deeply: Holiness involves loving others as Christ loved us, with a sacrificial and sincere love. This love is not self-serving but oriented towards the needs of others, reflecting God's holy love. When we love without calculation, God's holy presence is exalted. [25:01]
5. Nourishing Ourselves with God's Word: To grow in holiness, we need to crave the Word of God like newborn babies crave milk. This spiritual nourishment helps us grow in our salvation, fitting us into the righteousness and glory of Christ. Engaging with God's Word is essential for our spiritual growth and transformation. [28:07]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:24] - God's Communicable Attribute: Holiness
[02:44] - Misconceptions About Holiness
[03:59] - Hebrew and Greek Meanings of Holiness
[05:15] - Living a Holy Life
[05:53] - Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3
[08:40] - Hope and Holiness
[10:26] - Future Grace
[14:03] - God as Our Father and Judge
[19:25] - Appreciating Our Redemption
[24:21] - Jesus Christ and Holiness
[25:01] - Loving One Another Deeply
[28:07] - Craving God's Word
[32:08] - Growing in Salvation
[34:36] - Call to Holiness
[36:05] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 1:13-2:3
2. Isaiah 6:3
3. John 13:34-35
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Peter 1:16 command us to be, and why? ([01:24])
2. How do the Hebrew word "kadosh" and the Greek word "hagios" define holiness? ([03:59])
3. According to 1 Peter 1:18-19, what were we redeemed with, and what does this signify? ([06:35])
4. What analogy does Peter use in 1 Peter 2:2 to describe our need for God's Word? ([07:59])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does setting our hope on the future grace of Christ influence our present actions? ([10:26])
2. What does it mean to live in "reverent fear" of God, and how does this differ from living in terror? ([19:25])
3. How does loving one another deeply and sincerely reflect God's holiness? ([25:01])
4. Why is craving the Word of God compared to a newborn baby craving milk, and how does this help us grow in our salvation? ([28:07])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. In what ways can you demonstrate that you are set apart for God's purposes? ([05:15])
2. How can you actively set your hope on the future grace of Christ in your current circumstances? ([10:26])
3. Think about the concept of redemption. How does recognizing the sacrifice of Christ change the way you live your life? ([19:25])
4. Identify a specific person in your life whom you can love more deeply and sincerely. What practical steps can you take to show them sacrificial love this week? ([25:01])
5. What are some practical ways you can nourish yourself with God's Word daily? Consider setting a specific time and place for Bible reading. ([28:07])
6. How can you ensure that your leisure activities and entertainment choices reflect your commitment to holiness? ([05:15])
7. Is there an area in your life where you struggle to live in reverent fear of God? How can you address this struggle with a mindset of love and respect for God's judgment? ([19:25])
Devotional
Day 1: Holiness as a Communicable Attribute
Holiness is a unique attribute that God shares with us, setting us apart in quality and purpose. Unlike God's omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience, which are incommunicable, holiness is something we can embody. It is not about moral superiority but about being different in a way that glorifies God. This difference should be evident in our actions, values, and even our leisure activities, demonstrating that we are set apart for God's purposes. Holiness is a profound quality that makes our lives distinct and reflective of God's character. [01:24]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: In what specific areas of your life can you demonstrate that you are set apart for God's purposes? How can you make your actions, values, and leisure activities reflect God's holiness today?
Day 2: Hope in Future Grace
True Christian hope is anchored in the future grace of Christ, which is a present reality that shapes our actions. This hope is not just a distant dream but a proactive force that prepares our minds for action and sets the tone for holiness. It connects the present to the future, making our faith dynamic and forward-looking. By setting our hope on the future grace of Christ, we allow this hope to influence our daily decisions and behaviors, aligning them with God's will. [10:26]
1 Peter 1:13 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you actively prepare your mind for action today, setting your hope fully on the future grace of Christ? What practical steps can you take to make this hope a present reality in your life?
Day 3: Appreciating Our Redemption
Our redemption through the precious blood of Christ should lead us to live in reverent fear, not out of terror but out of love and respect for God's judgment. This appreciation transforms our lives, making us conscious of the immense sacrifice made for our freedom. Recognizing the value of our redemption helps us live in a way that honors God, reflecting our gratitude and reverence for His judgment. It is a call to live a life that is worthy of the price that was paid for our salvation. [19:25]
1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you 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, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."
Reflection: How does recognizing the immense sacrifice of Christ for your redemption change the way you live your life? What specific actions can you take today to live in reverent fear and honor God?
Day 4: Loving One Another Deeply
Holiness involves loving others as Christ loved us, with a sacrificial and sincere love. This love is not self-serving but oriented towards the needs of others, reflecting God's holy love. When we love without calculation, God's holy presence is exalted. This kind of love requires us to put others before ourselves, seeking their well-being and showing genuine care and compassion. It is a call to love deeply and sincerely, just as Christ loved us. [25:01]
1 Peter 1:22 (ESV): "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience Christ's sacrificial and sincere love through you today? How can you show them this love in a practical and meaningful way?
Day 5: Nourishing Ourselves with God's Word
To grow in holiness, we need to crave the Word of God like newborn babies crave milk. This spiritual nourishment helps us grow in our salvation, fitting us into the righteousness and glory of Christ. Engaging with God's Word is essential for our spiritual growth and transformation. It provides the sustenance we need to develop a deeper relationship with God and to live a life that reflects His holiness. [28:07]
1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV): "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good."
Reflection: How can you make time today to crave and engage with God's Word? What specific steps can you take to ensure that you are consistently nourishing yourself with Scripture?
Quotes
1. "For me, I want my children to do their best in whatever their situation is and leave the rest to God. I don't want them to give up no matter what and always do the best, leave the rest to God. I want them to have a tenacity of faith and grace and hope." [01:24] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Holiness is one of God's characters the theologians call communicable attributes of God. That means this character of God is communicable or transferable to us, while other attributes of God are not. Once again, God never called us to be omnipotent, omnipresent, or omniscient as He is. God They are incommunicable attributes of God. Characters of God that cannot be shared with us and thus cannot be demanded of us. But God wants to share His holiness with us." [02:44] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If we are followers of God. I hope people know we are different. If you follow God and people don't know you are different. Something is wrong. To be honest with you. Yes. Because the God I'm following is not one of many God's you know generic God. It is a very unique distinct God. Holy God we follow. Make us holy. Different in our world." [05:15] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Hope. Means. Future. Grace. You know. Grace. Isn't just for the past. When we first. Gave. Our hearts. To Jesus. It isn't only for the present. Where we live. Each moment. Standing. In God's grace. It is also. For the future. When grace. Will be brought. To us. And God. Has just. Begun. To show us. The riches. Of his. Grace." [11:21] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "My hope. For the future. Goodness. And the future. Glory. Is a future. Grace. Amen. Christian. Hope. Is a future. Grace. So to. Hope. For the future. Grace. Of Christ. Peter. Tells us. To. You know. To do it. With a mind. That are. Alert. And foolish. Over. Literally. Actually. Literally. Means. Grow. Up. The loins. Of your. Mind." [12:21] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "God invites. You. And. Me. To. Be. Like. Him. Incomparably. Great. Incomparably. Wise. Incomparably. Patient. And. Unique. Now. The. Second. Direction. Of. Holiness. Comes. From. God. As. Our. Father. Look. At. The. Verse. 17. Since. You. Call. On. A. Father. All. Of. Sudden. Peter. Changes. Now. God. To. Father. Who. Judges. Each. Person's. Work. Impartially. Leave. Out. Your. Time. As. A. Foreigners. Here. On. Earth. As. A. Reverend. Fear." [14:15] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Ultimate. Holiness. Is. An. Act. Of. Sacrificial. Love. So. Holy. Direction. Number. Two. Is. Act. In. Love. Act. In. Love. Do. You. Relate. To. Everyone. Your. House. Church. Without. Calculation. With. A. Sincere. Heart. Without. You. Know. Saying. That. What. Do. Gain. Out. Of. This. Relationship. But. More. Than. The. What. Can. I. Give. What. Can. I. Serve. What. Can. I. Give." [26:34] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When. Christ. Saved. Us. Holy. Spirit. Working. In. You. Through. God's. Word. So. That. We. Can. Grow. And. Fit. In. Group. Fit. In. The. Awesome. Clothes. Of. Jesus. Christ. Romans. 13. 14. Said. Close. Yourself. With. The. Jesus. Christ. And. Do. Not. Think. About. How. To. Gratify. Desires. Of. The. Flesh. You. Know. When. You. Enjoy. And. Fit. Into. The. Righteousness. And. Glory. Of. Christ. You. Fit. In. You. Don't. Want. To. Think. About. Those. Puny. You. Know. You. Know. Flesh. I. Mean. The. Carnal. Pleasures." [31:24] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Faith. Comes. From. Hearing. Hearing. From. Word. Of. God. Take. The. Classes. From. Good. Shepherd. College. People. So. Those. Of. You. Been. For. Us. More. Than. A. Six. Months. Or. More. Six. Months. Or. More. And. Hasn't. Taken. Cornerstone. Bible. Study. This. Is. Your. Call. Or. Those. Already. Take. Took. That. Take. The. Seven. Reality. For. Experiencing. God. Or. Living. Stone. Bible. So. We. Have. Other. By. You. Know. Whatever. Because. Faith. Is. Not. Emotional. Faith. Is. Not. Faith. Is. An. Encounter. With. God. It's. A. Relationship. Relationship. You. Need. To. Know. The. Other. That's. How. Relationship. Grow." [32:17] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "It. Is. My. Prayer. That. We. Become. A. Holy. People. That. We. Are. Holy. In. Our. In. Every. Aspect. Of. Our. Life. We. Are. Holy. In. Our. Finances. Not. Only. Our. You. Know. Religious. Settings. We. Holy. Not. Just. We. Holy. In. Friendship. Holy. In. Even. In. Our. Privacy. Holy. In. Our. Entertainment. Holy. In. Our. Vacation. Everything. We. Do. I. Hope. People. See. The. Difference. In. Us. Because. Of. Our. Holy. God." [35:04] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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