“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance.” 
1 Peter 1:14 

This verse is the call to holiness.

Do you consider yourself to be a holy person?

What does it mean to be holy, anyway?

The Hebrew word for “holy” literally means “separate” or “set apart.” God calls us to be set apart from the rest of the world. This doesn’t mean we are to live separately from the world; rather, we are to live in a manner that is pleasing to God.

Let’s be clear: the call to holiness is not a call to a boring, dull life filled with drudgery. It is an invitation to a full, vibrant life overflowing with the good news of God’s love and grace. Holiness is a call to be a new creation. As a new creation, we are not in bondage to the things of this world that constantly bombard us with empty promises while failing to deliver complete contentment and fulfillment. Holiness is the call of a loving Father who knows the deepest desires of our hearts. He knows the only way that we will truly find contentment and satisfaction is when our life is built on His plan.

I love how C.S. Lewis illustrates the same point: 

“If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” 

The call to pursue holiness is not from a God who is withholding pleasure and joy from you. This call is from your heavenly Father, who created you, loves you, and knows what will satisfy the deepest longings of your soul. 

How can we avoid settling for the passions of our “former ignorance” today? How can we put ourselves on the path of holiness? By not returning to the things we used to seek to find momentary pleasure. Because through the gospel, we have been given something so much greater! We have received an invitation from the One who will truly satisfy!

Will you accept His invitation to holiness?

Taken from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL

DIG DEEPER
Read “Is Holiness Even Possible When Only God is Holy?” at GotQuestions.org