We have been chosen by God to be holy. Verse 16 of 1 Peter 1 tells us ‘Be holy because I am holy.’ How does that make us feel? In our holiness, do we have a ‘holier than thou’ attitude? That attitude will drive people away from Him. Unfortunately, to the world, the word ‘holy’ has a negative connection. A popular television programme has the title ‘Who do you think you are?’ Who do we actually think we are. The answer is, we are part of God’s holy people, part of His family, His sons and daughters.
Thinking back to the Israelites they were a redeemed people but they had been slaves. By God rescuing them they became redeemed. God did everything for them, they had nothing more to do than to obey. It is the same for us. God has done everything for us. We only need to hear, accept and obey.
To be holy is to be different. We are not of this world. It is alien to us. No wonder we don’t fit in. The world does not accept us and we do not accept the world. Therefore life is not easy for us; we should not accept fake news or be influenced by smart phones.
Verses.15-16 are important verses, ‘But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written ”be holy because I am holy.'”