Just One!
[15] But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living.
[16] For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.
As always, the audience is critical to the expectations that are demanded. You cannot place the demand for holiness from people who do not know what is means to be set apart for holy use. Under the old testament, the lamb to be used for sacrifices had to be of a specific age, as well as specific physical characteristics such as without blemish or spot. If that was the requirement for sheep, imagine God's expectations for those of us who are called by His name. Peter's letter was to people called the 'elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ'. These are very specific people, not people who can get lost in a crowd, or who can bleind into any situation. It is very important that I know who I am, what I am, and whose I am, because that understanding is what will drive my pursuits and priorities.
The verses above lay out quite clearly what is expected of the elect. It will be self-deception to place a demand on the blessings and benefits laid out here, when I have done nothing about the conditions to enjoy the blessings and benefits. There is a call upon every life created by God, and my life's impact will be determined by my answer to God's call. God will also not demand of me that which He has not first supplied grace for. If His demand is holiness, be sure that He will supply sufficient grace to enable me live a life of holiness and righteousness. A life of holiness will demand separation from the world and its attractions, and will demand a different lifestyle from that which the world celebrates. Am I willing to make that sacrifice today, seeking God and His will for my life, and living up to His standard? God does not promise that it would be easy, which is why we speak about His grace being sufficient.
That grace is able to support me in every way to become all that God intends, but He will not force Himself on me, or go against the exercise of my freewill. This is where personal surrender is critical. Nobody can do it on my behalf; this is why salvation is first and foremost a personal decision. I have to sort out my pursuits and priorities now. The same time I used to devote to the pursuit of the things of the flesh is the same time I now have to pursue the things of God. I now have to devote time and attention to the things that please God. It is quite impossible to combine both, or to successfully juggle or move between both. Both will take time, effort and attention, because they both have earthly and eternal consequences. Before it is too late, I must sort my life out. God awaits my decision. Remember: His grace is sufficient. God's time of favour is here.
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