Intro: Biblical hope is connected to holy living which is God’s desire for believers. Conduct is a big deal with God and it takes faith and self-control to live wisely. The chosen people of God conduct their lives by his standard or plumb line, because God is the one who will be doing the measuring (Amos 7:7-8). God’s plumb line helps the born again understand holiness, righteousness, justice, and love. Scripture unveils the Truth for how believers are to live while we wait for the return of Christ.
No one knows the day or time, but Jesus is coming back; he has promised and given his Word (Matt 24:29-31, 35-37). Therefore, we need to live alert and prepared for every promise Jesus made about the Kingdom of God. God will gather his chosen people for the perfection of Christ’s salvation, grace, and glory, because Jesus will return to set up God’s rule over creation and humanity (Zech 14:9).
In our passage today, Peter tells us our relationship with Jesus allows us to become holy people, because God makes it happen. If we welcome Christ’s work to make us holy, we will have to separate from the world’s way of thinking and living. This is Good News, because it means we will be separated for God and have the ability to imitate his attitude and actions. Holiness is not based on our nature or character, it is based on God’s power and our relationship with him. This is a very exciting aspect of our faith, because we are set free to live a fruitful and meaningful life by putting our hope in the power of God. “But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:8b).
1 Peter 1:13-16 NLT A Call to Holy Living
13 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.
Prayer: Lord, you have called us to build our lives on the foundation of your glorious and holy presence. Help us to choose obedience to your standard rather than living for our pleasure, so we can be ready for your return. In Jesus’ name. Amen.