Are you holy? Do you desire to be holy? It seems that holiness has become an “undesirable” lifestyle among many who profess Christianity today. In fact, holiness is sometimes looked down upon, evidenced by phrases like, “He thinks he is holier than Thou” or “He thinks he is just Mr. Holy.” While some may disdain holiness, God demands it of His followers! How does one become holy? Obviously, holiness begins at the point of complete obedience to the Gospel. However, many believe that holiness ends there as well. Holiness is the faithful Christian’s life-long pursuit. To scattered and dispersed Christians, God gave the divine recipe for pursuing holiness. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
Firstly, holiness is pursued by a change in one’s attitude. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” This imagery, “…gird up the loins of your mind…,” would have been common phraseology to first century saints. The picture here is that of a person attempting to engage in a serious race, which would be impeded by the long flowing garments that were customary of Eastern culture. To “gird up the loins” was to “pull up” the garment so as to be able to properly and successfully compete. Here, this imagery is used of “girding up…the mind.” There is a change in our thinking that must take place in pursuing holiness. We take seriously, hence, “be sober,” this race that will end at “the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Holy people think differently (Philippians 4:8)!
Secondly, holiness is pursued by a change in one’s actions. “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.” Simply stated, holy people do not live like they once did! Holiness demands that we live “obediently.” Sadly, far too many believe that they can live holy on Sunday and live like the world the rest of the week; that type lifestyle is hypocrisy not holiness! We must be crucified to sin and the old lifestyle to which we were accustomed (Romans 6:1-6; Galatians 2:20). Holy people live differently!
Thirdly, holiness is pursued by a change in one’s authority. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Holy people no longer listen to the status quo or to their own selfish lusts, but the authority by which they are governed is a higher authority. We strive to be holy because God has called us to be holy! That is reason enough. Since God has called me to be holy, I want to stay as far away from ungodliness as possible. Holy people obey differently!
God demands holiness of His followers. He always has (cf. Leviticus)! We are living in unholy times and in an unholy world. Holiness requires a daily pursuit to be “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). Are you holy? Do you desire to be? “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
