Daily Devotional for Thursday 10th October
Therefore…Be Holy!
The use of the word ‘Therefore’ (v 13) is significant. Peter calls for a response in his hearers to what God has already done in Jesus. This order of action – first God’s work and then our response – makes it clear that living holy lives is not earning our salvation. We are chosen so we need to respond, but living God’s way takes commitment and effort.
Earlier Peter reminded his readers in verse 1 that the sanctifying (that is being set apart or declared holy) is done by the Holy Spirit. Our part is to give him access to our lives to do this purifying work as children characterised by obedience (v 14).
Time to reflect…
In Matthew 5 v 48 Jesus says to would be disciples: ‘Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect’. This isn’t perfection meaning never making any mistakes and never doing a single thing wrong. That perfection is impossible and attempting to live into it would be a life lived in vain But the word perfection is about living the life to which we are called, living with integrity the life God has prepared for us to live, living fully, choosing life and life-giving ways, as opposed to copping out, giving in to societal pressures when these are against the Word of God. This has echoes of the words from the Beatitudes that might be summarized, ‘You are blessed. So act like it.’ This is the perfection we can seek, this is the perfection we can strive to live into. It doesn’t come from our own ideas of what is flawless; it comes from God’s idea of our potential.
Pause to pray…
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. Amen
