Living a Life of Holiness and Love
Summary
Today, I explored the profound truths of living a life dedicated to God, emphasizing the importance of holiness, reverence, and the transformative power of the gospel. We began by understanding our identity as chosen and beloved by God, which sets the stage for our response to His grace. This identity is not just a theological position but a call to action, a call to live out our faith in tangible, daily expressions of holiness and obedience.
We delved into the teachings of Peter, who instructs us to set our hope fully on the grace given to us through Jesus Christ. This hope is not passive; it requires a sober, vigilant mind that actively chooses to focus on the eternal rather than the fleeting distractions of the world. This choice influences our behavior, steering us away from former desires and towards a life that mirrors the holiness of God.
The concept of holiness was further unpacked through the discussion of how it is not about moral perfection but about being set apart for God’s purposes. Holiness involves a deep reverence for God, recognizing Him as both our loving Father and our impartial Judge. This reverence should not lead to fear of punishment but should inspire a fear that is rooted in awe and respect for His majesty and justice.
In practical terms, living out this holiness means engaging with the world in a way that reflects God’s love and righteousness. It means loving others deeply, from the heart, as we have been loved by God. This love is not conditional on the likability or usefulness of others but is a natural overflow of the love we have received from Christ.
Finally, I emphasized the importance of community in our walk with Christ. Being part of the body of Christ means supporting one another in love, service, and prayer. It involves bearing each other's burdens and encouraging one another in our pursuit of holiness and obedience to God.
### Key Takeaways:
1. Holiness as Identity and Response:
Holiness is not just about avoiding sin; it's about embracing a life dedicated to God's purposes. As believers, we are called to reflect God's holiness in our actions, thoughts, and interactions with others. This call to holiness is both a reflection of our new identity in Christ and a response to the immense love and sacrifice He has shown us. [58:21]
2. The Role of Hope in Christian Living:
Hope is a dynamic force in the Christian life that must be actively pursued and maintained through a disciplined mind. This hope is rooted in the promises of God and the work of Christ, not in our circumstances. By setting our minds on the truths of Scripture and the reality of what Christ has accomplished, we can live with joy and perseverance, even in trials. [42:33]
3. The Fear of the Lord: Reverence, Not Terror:
Understanding the fear of the Lord as deep reverence helps us to appreciate His holiness and justice without falling into fear of punishment. This reverence is a healthy acknowledgment of God's authority and majesty, which brings clarity and purpose to our Christian walk. It reminds us of our position before God as His children, loved yet accountable. [01:02:05]
4. Community as the Context for Christian Growth:
The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. Our growth, encouragement, and even our understanding of God's love are enhanced and deepened within the community of believers. By investing in relationships within the church, we participate in the mutual edification and encouragement that strengthens our faith and furthers our collective witness to the world. [01:10:12]
5. Living Out Our Faith Through Love:
The ultimate expression of our faith and holiness is love—love that goes beyond mere feelings to sacrificial action. This love is visible in how we treat each other within the church and how we interact with the world. It's a love that mirrors the unconditional, sacrificial love of Christ and serves as a powerful testimony to His grace and transformation. [01:06:31]
### Chapters:
- 0:00 - Welcome
- 0:32:49 - Introduction and Personal Reflections
- 0:37:07 - The Shift to Practical Holiness
- 0:41:48 - Girding Up the Mind for Action
- 0:47:15 - Setting Our Hope and Minds on Christ
- 0:50:00 - Understanding Justification and Sanctification
- 0:54:14 - The Call to Holiness and Its Practical Outworking
- 0:58:21 - Living as Exiles: Reverence and Fear
- 1:01:46 - The Cost of Redemption and Its Implications
- 1:06:16 - The Deep, Persistent Love for One Another
- 1:10:49 - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Peter 1:13-25 (NIV)
> Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But 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.” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 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 ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Peter instruct believers to do with their minds in 1 Peter 1:13? How does this relate to setting our hope on the grace of Jesus Christ? ([37:07])
2. According to 1 Peter 1:15-16, what is the standard of holiness that believers are called to? How does this reflect our identity in Christ? ([48:17])
3. What does Peter mean by living as "foreigners" with "reverent fear" in 1 Peter 1:17? How does this perspective influence our daily lives? ([58:21])
4. How does Peter describe the love believers should have for one another in 1 Peter 1:22? What is the source of this love? ([01:04:42])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for believers to have minds that are alert and fully sober, according to the sermon? How does this mental state help in setting our hope on Christ? ([41:25])
2. How does understanding our identity as "obedient children" influence our pursuit of holiness? What practical steps can we take to live out this identity? ([48:17])
3. What does it mean to have a "reverent fear" of God, and how does this differ from being afraid of punishment? How can this reverence shape our actions and decisions? ([58:21])
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that community plays a role in our spiritual growth and pursuit of holiness? How can we actively engage in supporting one another? ([01:10:12])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current mental state. Are there distractions or habits that prevent you from having a sober and alert mind focused on Christ? What steps can you take this week to address these distractions? ([41:25])
2. Think about your daily actions and decisions. How can you intentionally reflect God's holiness in your interactions with others this week? Identify one specific area where you can improve. ([48:17])
3. Consider the concept of "reverent fear" of God. How does this reverence manifest in your life? Are there areas where you need to grow in your respect and awe for God's authority and majesty? ([58:21])
4. Evaluate your involvement in your church community. Are you actively supporting and encouraging others in their walk with Christ? What is one practical way you can invest in your church community this week? ([01:10:12])
5. Reflect on the love you have for fellow believers. Is it conditional or does it mirror the unconditional love of Christ? How can you show deeper, sacrificial love to someone in your church this week? ([01:06:31])
6. Identify a specific person in your life who may be struggling with their faith. How can you offer them support, encouragement, and prayer in their pursuit of holiness and obedience to God? ([01:10:12])
7. Think about the last time you felt overwhelmed by the distractions of the world. How did you respond? What can you do differently next time to set your hope fully on the grace of Jesus Christ? ([37:07])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Holiness as Our True Identity
Holiness is not merely about avoiding sin; it is about embracing our identity in Christ and living out God's purposes with intentionality. As believers, we are called to reflect God's holiness in every aspect of our lives, which includes our actions, thoughts, and interactions with others. This call to holiness is a direct response to the immense love and sacrifice Christ has shown us. It challenges us to live differently, set apart for divine purposes, and to embody the transformative power of the gospel in our daily lives. This is not about achieving moral perfection but about striving to align our lives with God's will, making choices that honor Him and further His kingdom. [58:21]
1 Peter 1:15-16 - "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: How can you incorporate practices of holiness in your daily routine to reflect your identity in Christ?
Day 2: The Dynamic Role of Hope in Christian Living
Hope in the Christian life is an active, dynamic force that must be pursued and maintained through a disciplined mind. This hope is rooted not in our circumstances but in the promises of God and the redemptive work of Christ. By setting our minds on the eternal truths of Scripture and the reality of Christ's accomplishments, we can navigate life with a perspective that transcends our immediate challenges and trials. This hope empowers us to live joyfully and persevere faithfully, even in the face of adversity, as we anticipate the full realization of God's promises. [42:33]
Romans 5:3-5 - "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to replace despair with the hope found in Christ?
Day 3: Reverence for God: Awe, Not Fear
Understanding the fear of the Lord as deep reverence helps us appreciate His holiness and justice without falling into fear of punishment. This reverence is a healthy acknowledgment of God's authority and majesty, which brings clarity and purpose to our Christian walk. It reminds us of our position before God as His beloved children, loved yet accountable. This awe-inspired fear encourages us to live in a way that is pleasing to Him, recognizing His loving governance and sovereign power over our lives. [01:02:05]
Hebrews 12:28-29 - "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."
Reflection: How does a proper understanding of the fear of the Lord change the way you live your daily life?
Day 4: Fostering Growth Through Christian Community
The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. Our spiritual growth, encouragement, and understanding of God's love are significantly enhanced within the community of believers. By actively participating in the life of the church and investing in relationships with other believers, we contribute to a mutual edification process. This community context is vital for bearing each other's burdens, offering encouragement, and collectively pursuing holiness and obedience to God. [01:10:12]
Galatians 6:2 - "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to strengthen your relationships within your church community?
Day 5: Demonstrating Our Faith Through Love
The ultimate expression of our faith and holiness is demonstrated through love—love that extends beyond feelings to sacrificial action. This love is visible in how we treat each other within the church and how we interact with the world. It mirrors the unconditional, sacrificial love of Christ and serves as a powerful testimony to His grace and transformation in our lives. As we receive love from Christ, we are empowered to love others deeply, from the heart, regardless of their likability or usefulness. [01:06:31]
1 John 3:18 - "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can show Christ-like love to this week, and what specific action will you take?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You have a God-given, God-empowered, God-redeemed ability to choose what you think about. You have a choice regarding where you focus your energy. You have a choice regarding what you live for. We choose those things." [44:28]
2. "Hope is a choice. It's not something that happens to you. You don't just wake up hoping for something; you actually put your hope in something, misplaced or not. We do that." [42:56]
3. "Every command to holiness that God calls us to is about giving us something good, beautiful, pure, and right. Every one. God's sexual ethic, that he lays out, says, hey, this is the parameters I put around sex. It's not to keep you from something; it's to give you something good and better than what you would probably think of on your own." [52:27]
4. "The hope that we have in what he said he's done for us and is doing for us should fuel our holiness. We're going to explore practically what this looks like in just a moment. But for now, let's move on." [58:21]
5. "We need to love each other well and we need to do that. You need to find a few people that you can really do life with as well. That's the other thing. I mean, this is great what we do here. It's biblical. It's necessary. And we should never forsake getting together like this." [01:09:57]
### Quotes for Members
1. "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But 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." [48:17]
2. "Since you call on a father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time here as foreigners with reverent fear. So we're to live lives with reverent fear. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." [58:44]
3. "He's impartial. So the way we live our lives matters. While we're sojourners here on earth, we must remember that we will stand before a holy God and give an account of how we lived our lives." [59:50]
4. "The word of God guides our lives. We submit as children of God to the word of God. Our values, our attitudes, our behaviors, he determines what's good. And here's the thing: Our hope, it fuels our holiness." [58:00]
5. "We need to cut each other some slack and we need to love each other well and from a pure heart. You know why? Because a pure heart's not perfect. It's just honest. And it just says." [01:09:23]
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