Holy Grace

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written,
"YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 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. (1 Peter 1: 13-21)

This is the passage that John preached on last night at youth group. This was one of those messages that the Lord really used in my life to remind me of the most basic things that I sometimes take for granted. 'Holiness,' what a concept! A question was posed tonight;
'If you knew Christ was coming a year from now, or six months, or 5 minutes from now, would you live differently?'
For me the answer would be yes. I do not think I live my life reflective of this mentality a lot of times. This is a mentality that is constantly conscious of the reality of Christ's return at any minute. I am thankful that the Lord has been making me more conscious of the reality of Heaven and yearning more to be constantly in His Holy presents. A couple of weeks ago I closed my Bible after my morning devotions and the inscription on the front cover captivated me and got me into a deep muse. It read "Holy Bible." A great many times have I seen this inscription, but never really thought about it. I stood there thinking about this and wondering why of all of God's attributes the inscription emphasised only one, that of God's Holiness? Wrath is also one of God's attributes...why not have it as the wrathful Bible, or love...the lovely Bible (ok, maybe not, otherwise we would have a lot of pink Bibles floating around). I thought of Holiness as the only attribute that is in three-fold repetition (trihagion) as in Isaiah 6:3, Rev 4:8). Perhaps this is why. One thing has been standing out of late to me though...our high calling before a Holy God; and that is holiness (to be set apart, clean, pure). 1 Peter 1:15 reads

but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
16because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

Why am I to be set apart, clean, and pure? First, Because of who God is. He is Holy and whether we like it or not, there is going to be a judgment. At this judgment, there shall be no scheming or excuses that we get away with here on earth with people. Here we can hide things from others, put on a face. But God knows every aspect of our lives, every private thought, every action, and for that we shall be judged. This aspect of God's holiness should cause us to fear and tremble.

17If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;

My stay here on earth is temporary. I am not a citizen of this earth but of Heaven (Philippians 3:20). That is why I yearn for being there and see death as a blessing for those who are saved. Second, I pursue holiness because I am God's child. God is the perfect Father, and like a son, I am to imitate Him. Thirdly, I am to pursue holiness because of the price that was paid for my sin.

18knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ

I am saved by the grace of God, who sent His Son to die for my sin apart from whom I have no hope of ever being holy. It is by this grace of God and faith in the work of His Son alone that I am saved. The price paid for my sin was the most precious gift that God had and He allowed it to die a painful death and take upon a heavy burden (my sin). It was not through gold, or silver...but the precious blood of His Son.

Father, thank you for your Son and the work that He did on the cross for me. Thank you for the resurrection, without which I would be hopeless. Thank you for your holiness, of which I yearn to imitate. Help me to continue pursuing holiness by the strength of your Spirit. I know I fall far short of this call because of my sin, that is why I need your grace in forgiveness and endurance to finish this race.