How Can I Live A Holy Life? Series

Q: What comes to mind when I say the word, “Holy?”

A: Stained Glass Windows, A Pastor, A Church, Christians from 2,000 years ago, Those “really good Christians” who never miss a single service, God?

Dr. Charles Stanley’s Life Principles for 1 Peter 1:13-25

2. Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.

24. To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.

27. No Christian has ever been called to “go it alone” in his or her walk of faith.

30. An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively.

Q: What are some reasons Christians may give for not living holy?

A: It’s too hard. What will people think of me? I don’t know how. I would have to give up too much. One day, when things settle down.

The truth is, we can live a holy life, not in our own strength, but through God’s strength.

God is holy.

In order to obey God, our Christian conduct must be marked by holy living.

ETB Life Question: What would have to change for me to live a holy life?

Here are four realities that motivate us to grasp biblical holiness and demonstrate it in our daily lives. We can live a holy life…

1. Because God is Holy (1 Pet. 1:13-16)

“Therefore.” We all know any time scripture says, “therefore,” we need to find out what it’s “there for.”

Peter is referring back to what he just said in the preceding verses about who we are in Christ, how we will face very difficult trials in our lives, and how awesome our salvation, living hope in Christ is.

Salvation is so amazing that the O.T. prophets could not fully grasp it. 1:10-11

We are told even angels long to look to see God’s great salvation in our lives. 1:12

Peter says, “prepare your minds for action” (13).

He’s telling us in light of the fact that Christ could return at any moment, we ought to be thinking about that great truth more and more each day.

Warren Wiersbe writes, “Pull your thoughts together! Have a disciplined mind!” The image is that of a robed man, tucking his skirts under the belt, so he can be free to run.

When you center your thoughts on the return of Christ, and live accordingly, you escape the many worldly things that would encumber your mind and hinder your spiritual progress. Peter may have borrowed the idea from the Passover supper, because later in this section he identifies Christ as the Lamb (1 Peter 1:19). The Jews at Passover were supposed to eat the meal in haste, ready to move (Ex. 12:11).

Outlook determines outcome; attitude determines action. A Christian who is looking for the glory of God has a greater motivation for present obedience than a Christian who ignores the Lord’s return.”

“keep sober in spirit” (13b)

Is Peter talking to us about drinking alcohol? No.

However, since you asked my personal conviction is that Christians should abstain totally from alcohol because of what it does to you personally, family, future, witness, effectiveness in your Christian living, etc.

How are we doing in GA with drinking and driving? Not good.

Moultrie -- A 62-year-old husband, father and grandfather is killed after state troopers say he was struck by an underage drunk driver.

DeKalb - A DeKalb County employee was charged with DUI after a county vehicle he was driving swerved head-on into an oncoming car in Walton County on Friday night, police said. (www.doverlawfirm.com)

Reports are in the AJC and news reports daily.

Q: How many of you have ever suffered the loss of a family member or friend from drunk driving?

“sober in spirit” – self control and clarity of mind, thinking clearly; do not get intoxicated with the world’s values and lose sight of who God is.

“fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (13c)

Believers are to look forward to the grace that we will receive when our salvation will be finally complete at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

There is a song we sing that says, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ. One glimpse of his dear face, all sorrows will erase. So bravely run the race till we see Christ.”

Q: How will focusing on the return of Christ motivate believers to live holy lives?

A: The call for struggling Christians is this: set your hope fully on the future coming of Christ. That is what Peter commands us to do. If any of us is to do more than simply outlast life’s exilic weight – if we are to move beyond melancholy endurance and into positive engagement with the world, let alone enjoyment in it, we must become a people who know what it is to comprehend a decided hope in life’s eternal future. – Preaching the Word – 1&2 Peter and Jude