warm-up

What particular object or item has a high value for you? Why?

Tell us about one of the most severe punishments you got from your parents or from your guardian.

Recall a sacrifice you made for a relative or friend. Why did you do it?

word

14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, ¹⁵but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

(Read 2 Peter 1:3-8.)

The first chapter of 1 Peter is about God’s holiness and how our own actions should reflect that holiness. Because we are God’s children, He has called us and set us apart to be holy in all that we do. Holiness comes from an intimate relationship with Christ and is not based on our own doing. Unlike other belief systems that tell us to achieve holiness through mere actions, our holiness comes from walking with God and allowing Him to renew and transform us. In this lesson, we will look at three truths about holiness that enable us to experience life change.

1
God is holy.

. . . since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

God is loving and merciful, but He is also holy. He hates sin, but loves people. His holiness means that He establishes high moral standards. God’s holiness does not tolerate sin. That’s why, through the cross, Jesus took our place and bore the judgment of God. And now, we can stand before Him as His children. How does Isaiah 6:3 describe God?

2
In Christ, we are made holy.

¹⁸. . . knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, ¹⁹but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18,19

Our sins prevent us from having a relationship with a holy God. However, because God loves us so much, He reconciled us with Himself through His only Son, Jesus. The holiness of God requires a perfect sacrifice and because Jesus was pure and blameless, He was the only one qualified to take our place and pay for our sins. Through the precious blood of Christ, we are made holy. According to Galatians 3:13, what did Christ redeem us from?

3
God enables us to live holy lives.

⁵For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:5-7

We are to conform to God’s holiness both internally and externally. However, because of challenges, there are times when we have difficulty living holy lives. Peter encourages us to be like God—holy in every aspect of our lives. This is only possible because He enables us to live holy lives. What do you think it means to be holy in all that you do (1 Peter 1:15)?

application

Do you believe that, in Christ, you have been made holy? How should this affect your daily life?

What’s one thing you need to say no to, in light of God’s holiness? What are you willing to do to be holy in your conduct this week?

How does the call to holiness challenge you at home, work, school, church, or the community you live in?

prayer

Thank God that He is holy, and yet He made a way for us to go to Him through Jesus.

Pray that you will live a holy life, because of God’s enabling grace. Ask Him to help you walk in holiness at all times.

Pray that you will reflect His holiness to the people around you, and you would tell others about Him this week.

© 2017 by VICTORY®
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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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