Be Holy
Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 1:13-21
“I am the Lord your God, consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.”
We set apart a lot of things. When we wash our clothes, we set them apart by colors. We set apart our vegetables from our meat. We set apart our refrigerated things from our frozen items.
To be holy means to be “set apart.” We are called to distance ourselves from sin and impurity, even as we live among all kinds of people in this world.
By calling his people to be holy, God wanted them to be a shining light of his blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:2-3). But Israel continually failed to be the holy nation God formed them to be. That is why the prophets kept calling them back to living God’s way—that is, by loving God with all their heart, mind, and strength and by loving their neighbors as themselves.
This is also our job as prophets today. In this Lenten season, we and others are called back to living for God and showing his love, as Jesus did. The world continues to be shaped by Christians who push back the darkness and reclaim this lost world for Christ.
Sometimes it is a fearful thing to be a prophet. It can also be exciting and fulfilling work. The world needs more prophets today.
You and I are prophets. We are anointed to confess the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are called to love God with our whole being and to share his love with everyone.
Lord, may our lives be holy and pleasing to you. May it be clear that we want to honor you and love others, to your glory. Amen.
About the author — Pete Byma
Pete Byma has served as a pastor of congregations in Michigan and in Washington state. Serving now as a pastor in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he is also a consultant/coach for churches experiencing conflict, and he enjoys equipping and establishing people in ministry. He is married to Cheri, and they have four grown children and six grandchildren. Pete is also a registered soccer official and enjoys bicycling.
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