On Being Holy

Text: I Peter 1:13-16

 

I.         When you are in a competition, you are told “Do your best.”

            A.        It means we strive hard to achieve.

            B.        Yet, at the same time I know there are going to be times when I don’t do my best.

                        1.         I might be tired that day. I might have hit a lull. I might just be in a bad mood.

                        2.         But if I’m continue to compete, I don’t accept that state, even knowing they are bound to come.

            C.        I Corinthians 9:24-27

            D.        That dichotomy of needing to do your best while understanding I won’t always be at my best can be confusing

                        1.         Passages like I John 1:8-10 are read and then the conclusion is made that we all sin constantly or that we all sin daily.

                                    a.         Yet the passage does not say that. As a matter of fact it doesn’t say how often someone sins.

                                    b.         It only states the fact that we are all guilty of sin and no one is immune.

                        2.         It becomes like the often used phrase, “I’m only human.” It becomes an excuse to accept sin because it is bound to happen.

                        3.         Yet John says to walk in darkness means we are not in fellowship with God - I John 1:6

                        4.         We can’t accept less than our best

II.        The call to holiness

            A.        Be holy in all your conduct - I Peter 1:15

                        1.         What conduct? Not conforming ourselves to former lusts - I Peter 1:14

                        2.         To what extent? As God is holy - I Peter 1:16

            B.        It is a removal of lusts and a taking on of holiness - I Thessalonians 4:3-7

            C.        You cannot see God without holiness - Hebrews 12:14

            D.        This world isn’t it, so we need to be holy - II Peter 3:11

III.       How is this possible?

            A.        God taught us how to be partakers of His nature - II Peter 1:2-4

            B.        Jesus came so that we might serve God in holiness and righteousness - Luke 1:74-75

            C.        We as his followers are called out of darkness and into his light - I Peter 2:9-12

            D.        We are born again by obeying that word - I Peter 1:22-23

            E.        We are given a new life by baptism - Romans 6:3-7

IV.      Becoming a Christian changes the way we live - I John 3:4-10

            A.        We no longer live in sin, it is no longer our practice - Romans 6:1-2

            B.        This doesn’t mean that sin won’t trap us at times, but it is not a state in which a Christian will remain.

                        1.         We have to be on guard because Satan is still trying to bring us down - I Peter 5:8-9

                        2.         We have to arm ourselves against Satan’s schemes - Ephesians 6:11

            C.        The life of a Christian is one of growth - Hebrews 5:12-14

                        1.         And in growing we perfect our holiness - II Corinthians 7:1

                        2.         It takes time, but it is doable - Matthew 5:6

V.        The goal is holiness

            A.        Set backs are bound to happen, but we don’t wallow in it

            B.        We are given a way out that puts us back on the path - I John 1:8-2:1

            C.        We don’t settle for anything less because we desire to see our God