Two prevalent views that can result in spiritual deception are old views that have existed in some form or expression for generations. Those views are (1) because human salvation is based on God's grace [true], the Holy God gives Christians no responsibility [untrue]; and (2) because humanity cannot escape being evil [true], the Holy God does not expect Christians to reflect His holiness [untrue].
Consider our text: 1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 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."
Give careful attention to the connections. These suffering Christians were to (1) have minds prepared for action; (2) have sober spirits [be seriously focused]; (3) have hope that is founded on God's grace; and (4) be serious in their commitment to being obedient children.
Note there is much more involved than "doing something--just anything--that declares you are a person with faith in God." This commitment involves the mind, the spirit, hope, and obedience. It is an internal reality reflected externally. While it was not to be just any internal reality they called "spiritual," neither was it to be just any deeds they declared "obedience to a spiritual commitment."
What were their lives committed to reflecting? The fact they were baptized? No! It was much more than that! The fact they were "church members"? No! It was much more than that! The fact they were religious? No! It was much more than that! The fact they were committed to the programs of the church? No! It was much more than that!
Then to what were they committed? They were to be committed to reflecting God's holiness! They would do this by being a holy people! Consider several scriptures.
Matthew 5:16 [Sermon on the Mount] Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 9:8 [the healing of a paralytic] But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Matthew 15:31 [healings] So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.
Luke 2:20 [Jesus' birth] The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Luke 7:16 [a resurrection] Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited His people!"
Luke 13:13 [the healing of a "bent woman"] And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God.
Luke 17:15 [a man healed of leprosy] Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice...
Luke 23:47 [a Roman officer at Jesus' crucifixion] Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent."
Acts 4:21 [Peter and John's reaction to persecution] When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened...
Acts 11:18 [Jewish Christians final reaction to the conversion of the first gentiles] When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."
Acts 21:20 [leaders of the Jerusalem church reacting to God's work among the gentiles] And when they heard it they began glorifying God...
2 Corinthians 9:13 [a contribution among gentile Christians for suffering Jewish Christians] Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all...
Galatians 1:24 [Jewish churches attitude toward Paul] And they were glorifying God because of me.
The emphasis on God receiving glory is astounding! The promised Messiah is born, people are healed, a witness watches Jesus die, apostles are beaten, God does the objectionable and unexpected among non-Jews, gentile Christians give a sacrificial contribution, Paul goes against common opinion in the Jewish church, and it produces a common result--God is glorified by people! Not the man Jesus, not the apostles, not sacrificial Christians, not the church, but God!
That is what God expects of us! He wants us to make it evident that who we are and what we do as persons as well as the church is shaped by God! We do not want or take the credit! The church should not want or take the credit! God should receive the credit! The impact on unbelievers: "We want to know the God who produces individuals and a community like that!"
Why does God call Christians to be holy individuals who have holy behavior? He does so because He is holy! If God is holy, we as God's children must reflect His holiness. Consider a reverse impact. How often have unbelievers witnessed unholy behavior in Christians and said, "If that is God's influence on people, I want nothing to do with Him!"
Thought Question:
Discuss the importance of Christians committing to being a holy people who reflect the holy God.
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 6