A Holy Nation
So Peter says that followers of Jesus are a chosen people, a royal priesthood. And then he says that they're a holy nation. And this really is linked to yesterday's talk about being priests. The priests in the Old Testament were told again and again and again: “Be holy, be holy, be holy”.
All the people were - the people were all called to be holy, but the priests in a specific way were to be holy before the Lord. Just page through Leviticus and look for the word holy and you'll see how they were called to this holiness.
And you know what? God's people are also called to be a holy nation. We're called to live lives that are holy as God is holy. We're called to live lives of goodness. We're called to turn from sin. We're called to be filled with love. If you've said yes to Jesus and are following in his ways, you're called to holiness.
Empowered to Holiness
In fact, earlier in 1 Peter, in the previous chapter, he said these words: ”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.’”
Yes, the people of Jesus are called to be holy people, and really the only way to be holy friends is to have faith in Jesus. And to have faith in his Holy Spirit's empowering.
With the Holy Spirit in us as believers in Christ, we have extraordinary power over sin. Our old sinful natures, Paul says, are killed. Do you believe this? Do you have faith today that your sinful nature has been crucified with Christ and you have the power to walk in holiness?
Empowered for Holiness
That doesn't mean you're not going to be tempted. It doesn't mean that you can't fall, but it means that you can live a Christ like life.
You know, it's become a daily prayer in my life where I say, “Lord, I believe that your spirit is in me and I pray that you will empower me to holiness today.” I guess that's what Jesus was saying when he taught us to pray, deliver us from evil. Let us be holy and good Christ like people in our lives.
And so have faith today. Have faith that the Spirit of God is in you when temptations come. You can - in his power - resist, and when opportunities come to do good, you can - in his power - do them with all your heart.
Holiness is not only an absence of sin, but a fullness of love. And so hear the words of God: “be holy, for I am holy”. And hear the words of Peter reminding us today that we are, as people of God, a holy nation.
