But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the scriptures say, “You must be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
I have wrestled with these verses for years because I had the misunderstanding that God had the expectation that it was within my ability to be holy. Whether I read the verse or I heard it being read aloud, I placed an emphasis on the “YOU MUST” part. I was disheartened about it all since I knew that I couldn’t be holy. No matter how badly I wanted to be or hard I willed it to be, being holy was impossible for me. Being holy was as improbable for me as it was for me to keep God’s law perfectly. I failed before I even got started. Part of me was fine with that because I didn’t want to be a “holy roller” anyway, and people who are “holier than thou” aren’t very attractive either. So I just resigned myself to living in God’s grace, and that would be enough for me. The amazing thing was that it wasn’t acceptable to God that I would settle for less than what He desired for the both of us.
God spoke to me and said, “Just because I said you must, doesn’t mean that you can.” God continued saying, “I am holy. In fact, I am Holy, Holy, Holy, and I want you to know that my desire is to be with you always. In order for that to happen, you too, must be holy. I know, as you know, that you can’t be holy of your own accord. That’s one of the many reasons why I gave you the gift of my Holy Spirit. The gift of holiness (made possible through Christ’s sacrifice) was not meant for you to seem or to act superior to others. Its only purpose is so that you and I can be together in everything you do. It is so you and I can be one. I love you that much!”
Holiness - just like salvation, grace, and faith - is a good gift from our Heavenly Father. It is a good gift meant to be accepted, opened, and enjoyed. I had never thought of it that way before. I’m glad God cleared that up for me. I hope He has cleared that up for you too.
Grace to you.
Dave Paukner
