By Teresa Reeve (New Testament Department, SDA Theological Seminary, Andrews University)
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ’YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.’” 1 Peter 1:14-16, NASB (emphasis mine)
Take time to be holy,
Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always,
And feed on His word;
Make friends of God’s children,
Help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Holiness, holiness is what I long for,
Holiness is what I need,
Holiness is what you want from me.
So, take my heart and form it.
Take my mind and transform it.
Take my will and conform it.
To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord.
Questions
- What does Peter mean when, in the passage above, he calls humans to be holy?
- Is it really possible to be holy like the Holy One?
- How is this holiness accomplished?
- Do either of these often-sung sets of lyrics, express well what 1 Peter means by holiness?
It is the call of the Gospel, to be one with Him. Holiness is intimacy.
With man it is impossible but with God all things are possible. If we are one with Him we are in Him and He in us. Our holiness comes from Him not ourselves.
To assert that holiness can be achieved, demonstrated or exhibited by us is the pseudo-gospel, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
It is when our will is surrendered to His that we become vessels so that we are not apart from Him but are grafted into the vine.
This is a fine post.
Posted by: David de la Vega | February 17, 2011 at 09:16 PM