The reality is that it is tempting for us to “customize” our relationship with God in order to fit in with the culture around us—less godliness and more worldliness. It is easier that way. Less conflict. Less embarrassment. Less risk.
Yet, Peter calls his readers to a standard of true HOLINESS, even though they were facing pressure to abandon the faith. It would be easier on them to compromise their faith or walk away from it altogether, but Peter encourages them to WALK CLOSER to God:
1 Peter 1:13 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
The best way to live—whether during trials or between trials—is to live COMPLETELY for God! That is the essence of being holy: separated from that which is wrong and devoted to that which is right.
God expects us to live WHOLLY HOLY lives. Too often we have been content with being partly given over to God. God must have ALL of me!
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