With minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy–1 Peter 1:13-16

God is holy, and He desires holiness in us.

When we think of God, we naturally think of His holiness. He is perfect moral purity. He is good, just, and righteous. He is light, and in Him is no darkness.

We need to be clear about holiness. Our holiness should be like His holiness. His holiness is not based on the outward. It’s not a dress code or a hair length. After all, God is Spirit and not flesh.

It’s certainly not being judgmental.

The holiness God desires is a holiness like His. It is inward and connected to our minds. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds and our holiness begins with a change of mind. As we think differently, we begin to act differently. As Simon Peter wrote about holiness, he began by calling for fully alert and sober minds.

What does holiness do in us?

First and above all else, holiness pleases God. If we please God, nothing else really matters. God wants us to be holy, and we should desire holiness for this reason.

Second, holiness makes us look at the world from a totally different perspective. When we are characterized by holy living, we recognize sin for what it is. We more and more hate what is evil and love what is good.

Third, holiness shows the power of the Gospel and the genuineness of our faith. It demonstrates God’s power to change sinful lives into productive servants.

Finally, holiness witnesses to those who do not yet know Christ. “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:11-12).

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