Is It Possible to Be Holy?
Is Christlikeness even possible, or is it a mythical pursuit? Like James, one of the primary purposes of 1 Peter was to encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith while enduring persecution.
1 Peter 1-3
Today's Scripture Passage
A Few Thoughts to Consider
Is Christlikeness even possible, or is it a mythical pursuit?
Like James, one of the primary purposes of 1 Peter was to encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith while enduring persecution. Written by the apostle Peter, likely from Rome around AD 62–64, the letter addressed Christians scattered across Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). These believers faced hostility for their faith in a pagan society, ranging from social ostracism to potential state-sponsored persecution under Emperor Nero.
Drawing on Old Testament themes, Peter ties the believers’ suffering to the example of Christ. Anticipating the further battles these believers would face, Peter says in 1 Peter 1:13-16:
13 Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. 15 But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.
The King James Version provides perhaps the most vivid interpretation of verse 13 when it says, “gird up the loins of your mind,” for this imagery is that of a soldier or worker preparing for action. In verse 16, Peter quotes from Leviticus 11:44-45, where God says to his people: 44 “For I am the Lord your God, so you must consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy. Do not defile yourselves by any swarming creature that crawls on the ground. 45 For I am the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God, so you must be holy because I am holy.”
From the beginning of time, God wanted his people to understand he was a holy God, and they were to be a holy people. In fact, the entire purpose of the “clean” and “unclean” food laws in the Old Testament was so God’s people could have visual object lessons on holiness. God had a clear-cut standard for recognizing what was acceptable to him in food, and he also has clear-cut standards for recognizing what is holy.
