1 Peter 1:13–25

Explore the Bible 
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

LIVING IN HOLINESS

1 Peter 1:13–25
Our future inheritance with Jesus is an incentive to live in holiness now. The inheritance promised to followers of Jesus should motivate us to set our hope entirely on our future reward, to live in fear of the God who redeemed us at the cost of His own Son and to love one another fervently.

Because God Is Holy (13–16)
We should live in holiness because God is holy. Have a disciplined mind. Outlook determines outcome and attitude determines action. A Christian who is looking for the return of Jesus has a greater motivation for present obedience than a Christian who ignores the Lord’s return. We are to set our hope fully on the grace that will be brought to us at the return of Jesus.  

Hope will not become a reality without disciplined thinking. Thinking in a new way does not happen automatically. It requires effort, concentration and intentionality. We are to be sober-minded. We are to live life with constant awareness of God as we anticipate the Second Coming of Jesus.  

Not only must we discipline our lives; we must also deny our former lusts. No one ever meets Jesus and stays the same. Peter had no conception of a Christian who merely gave mental assent to doctrines. Biblical regeneration changes you at the very core of your being. Children inherit the nature of their parents. God is holy; therefore, as His children, we should live holy lives. 

But while living on this earth Christians have to fight the desires of sin. So we are called to be obedient children, separated from evil in all we do. We are commanded to be holy, for that accords with the character of God who is holy and has called believers to Himself. Everything we do should reflect the holiness of God.  

Because God Is Judge (17)
We should live in holiness because God is Judge. As God’s children we need to be serious about sin and holy living. Father God is a holy and righteous Father. He will not compromise with sin and neither should we. Fear is not a paralyzing terror but a fear of God’s discipline and fatherly displeasure.   

In view of the fact that Father God lovingly disciplines His children today and will judge their works in the future, we ought to cultivate an attitude of godly fear. This is not the cringing fear of a slave before a master, but the loving reverence of a child before his father. We should live in holiness because God will judge our deeds.

Because of Our Redemption (18–21)
We should live in holiness because Father God has redeemed us with the precious blood of Jesus. God’s love for us as demonstrated on the cross is the highest motive for holy living. Peter reminded his readers of their salvation experience. First he reminded them of what they were before meeting Jesus. They had been slaves to sin living empty lives. Second he reminded them of what Christ did for them on the cross. Jesus had paid the price required to set them free by shedding His own blood for them.

Jesus’ death was an appointment, not an accident, because it had been foreknown before the foundation of the world. From the human perspective Jesus was cruelly murdered. From the divine perspective Jesus laid down His life for sinners. Christians should live in holy fear because they are deeply loved and should not despise that love.     

Because of Our Purification (22–25)
We should live in holiness because of our purification. Jesus forgives us, cleanses us and changes us. Having been purified, we ought to love one another earnestly from a pure heart. This means to go as far as you can and then keep on going. It means that our love for one another is to know no limits. 

Love for our brothers and sisters is costly and inconvenient, but it is what God expects of each of His children. Our ability to love is rooted in our salvation while our activity of love is revealed in sacrifice. The Holy Spirit cleanses our hearts and the Scriptures change our nature because the Word of God is powerful and eternal.