Introduction

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Introduction

The Call to Holiness

Isaiah 6:1–7, Matthew 22:34–40, Leviticus 11:45, Numbers 15:37–41, Deuteronomy 6:4–9

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” — 1 Peter 1:13–16

God is holy in all his ways, completely set apart in his essence and character. So what does it mean for us to be holy? As twenty-first-century readers, we’re quick to define “holy” as behavior God expects us to achieve. However, the Hebrew word for holy, “qadosh,” means consecrated, sanctified, dedicated, set apart, and separated from the world.

God’s call to holiness is more than simply changing our actions or something to achieve: it’s a call to set our hope on the grace of God through Jesus to be fully transformed and to live set apart.

In his letter, Peter is writing to Christians dealing with persecution. Many people viewed Christians as dangerous because they didn’t follow the conventional behaviors of the world and lived counter to the culture around them. Despite what is happening to and around them, Peter’s encouragement is to be holy, hold on to faith, and continue living in a manner that sets them apart.

In verse 14, he reminds them that they, too, once lived in darkness, but Christ has ransomed them, changing their identity. They are now set apart, called to be sanctified and to live dedicated to Christ. Jesus truly changes our identities and enables us to live holy.

We should aspire to be holy; however, it’s not merely aspirational. It’s obtainable when we put our hope in Christ. It’s only through Jesus that our identity can be changed, and we can live genuinely different than the world around us. Answering the call to be holy is not easy, but it is necessary. It’s a call to accept the grace of God through Jesus and allow ourselves to be transformed. Holiness is not merely something to achieve but is an inherent aspect of our identity as believers. We are called to be set apart.

“. . . but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”

Reflection:

1. Think of the moment when you were first aware of God’s grace and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

2. Are there areas in your life where you have trouble living “set apart” from the world?

Faith Step:

Spend time in prayer to thank God for his grace and the call to be holy.

Pray:

Heavenly Father, you are worthy of my praise and worship. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are your ways higher than my ways and your thoughts higher than my thoughts.

I consecrate myself to you, remembering the works of your hands and the beauty of the gospel. Thank you for setting me apart as your own and calling me to be holy.

Lord, help my heart revere you so that I may reflect your glory to those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Why Set Apart

The goal of this year’s theme is for people to have a more thoroughly biblical view of holiness that glorifies God, transforms their heart, and increases missional passion.

Day 1

Deuteronomy 7:6, Isaiah 28:16, Hosea 2:23, Malachi 3:16–18, Exodus 19:5–6

“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. . . . But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” In the Old Testament, the temple was the dwelling place of God. It was set apart and consecrated for worshiping Yahweh, but Peter is showing us that we, the people of God, are now set apart and consecrated for the worship of God. We are being built together as a spiritual house, a royal priesthood that ushers in the presence of God wherever we are. The community of holiness is God’s consecrated people, filled with his presence to declare his perfect goodness. Since we are now holy and set apart by God, he calls us to live in such a way that others can see his transforming power in us. As his “spiritual house,” we are expected to live and act differently so that we can be a witness of God’s goodness and call people out of darkness, not just through our individual lives but also as the Church. If we’re to fulfill this calling, being part of a local church is vital. In 1 Peter 1:22–23, Peter tells his readers to love one another and reminds them of the importance of abiding in the Word together. Just as separate stones are joined to form a sturdy structure, we as believers are called to support and build each other up. Through our unity, we display the love of Christ to the world. To be set apart means that we’re different than the world around us, and as the Church, a body of believers, we should stand out in our communities. Each local church should be a beacon of hope because of what God has done within us. When believers gather to worship and pray, we should expect to see families, cities, and nations changed by the gospel. God has chosen his Church to be a royal priesthood and a holy nation. We are set apart for his divine purpose. Our role is to declare his goodness to a world longing for hope and purpose. Through our transformed lives, we become living testimonies of God’s power and goodness. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Reflection: 1. Think of believers in your life that have been integral to your walk with Christ. Spend time thanking God for placing them in your life. 2. How can you use your God-given gifts and talents to serve your local church? Faith Step: Write down a few ways you could actively participate in your local church. Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing us and setting us apart for your purposes. Thank you for the privilege of being part of your Church. Help us appreciate each member’s unique role and work together in unity. Move our hearts so that we would continue gathering together and stirring up on another to love and good works. Work through us to bring your hope, healing, and transformation to the world. You have sent us as a light in the darkness; may we continually proclaim your praises and draw others to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 2

Romans 7:21–25, Philippians 3:20, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Hebrews 11:12–16, Psalm 119:18–20

“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” What or where do you consider “home”? Maybe it’s the neighborhood you grew up in, the city you and your family relocated to, or a nation you had to leave behind unexpectedly. Sojourners and exiles have a unique relationship to “home.” Sojourners are travelers who pass through a place for a short time until they reach a specific destination. Exiles are those who have been sent away or even banished from their homelands. By calling his readers “sojourners” and “exiles” in 1 Peter 2:11, Peter challenges their sense of home. He’s being clear— they’re temporary residents in this world, living in a place that’s not really their home. Until Christ returns, they must live as redeemed and holy people in a fallen world. Peter instructs them “to abstain from the passions of the flesh,” sinful desires that are rebellious and even hostile to God. We must hold tight to God’s call to holiness as these passions wage war against our souls. God gives us mercy and grace to abstain from these desires. He’s given us his Word to renew our minds. He puts us in spiritual community to strengthen and encourage us. Even in moments when we feel weak or have failed, the gift of repentance allows us to turn back to God in grace and without shame. As we read this passage centuries after it was written, we can identify with feelings of spiritual alienation, dissatisfaction, and longing that Peter’s original readers may have felt. This is the challenge. As exiles, we live in a temporary home, but it can be tempting to live as if this is where we belong. We must decide, day in and day out, to deny self and obey God’s calling to be holy. “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” Reflection: 1. Does the idea of being a “sojourner” or “exile” change your perspective of the world around you? 2. Are there practical things you can do today to abstain from the passions of the flesh? Faith Step: Talk to a prayer partner about what “passions of the flesh” you both may be dealing with. Spend time in prayer, repenting and asking the Holy Spirit to renew and strengthen you. Pray: Jesus, thank you that you’ve made a way for me to be holy, even when I struggle with unholy desires. You’ve placed me as a sojourner and exile in this world, but I pray that you would reign over my heart and renew my inner self day by day. Help me to accept the challenge of holiness and choose righteousness daily, even when I’m tempted to follow my flesh. Change me from the inside out so that I may be a light in this world. In your name I pray, amen.