Called to be Christlike (1 Peter 1:13-16)

CALLED TO BE CHRISTLIKE (1 Peter 1:13-16):

In the previous verses, peter addresses the believers in the province of Asia Minor about having inheritance by the blood of Christ, Achieving the endurance of Faith, Privileges that the Prophets of earlier ages missed but we had seen, and then starts the passage with the conjunction. Because of those things, the Elect can prepare their minds by the strength and wisdom of God for the actions that please Him. The Believers also needs to be serious, sensible, composed and not just being emotional. The believers are supposed to set their hope fully on the overwhelming and amazing grace that will be brought unto them at the future glory and revelation of Jesus Christ with clear-mindedness.

The Elect had come unto the knowledge of the true and living God. They had submitted their lives as children of God and become partakers of His kingdom. Peter writes them that as obedient children, they should not be conformed to the passions of their former ignorance. Before accepting Jesus Christ, the thoughts and actions of the people were completely different trying to gratify the passions of the self and their world. They were ignorant about their thoughts and actions which was without any valuable and eternal values or standards. 

The God the Father who called the Elect for reconciliation through the crucifixion and resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ is holy and He wants the believers also to be holy. Being holy doesn’t mean to be ignorant, be emotional, and just avoiding certain things. Being holy means to have a pure heart and mind with the attitude as same as that of Jesus Christ, knowing and doing what pleases God, Not doing what doesn’t please God with complete surrender and obedience. Holiness is standing for what is of higher value and biblical in the vast world where there are variable standards. The Elect needs to be holy in all their conduct, the way they behave with others. Peter also refers to the verse as a reminder to the fellow believers from the previous scriptures in Leviticus (11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7, 26; 21:8) that God uttered, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 

Stimulations for Self-Reflection

1.      What all the things the believers supposed to do?

2.      Why do they need to prepare their minds for action?

3.      What do you mean by Sober-minded?

4.      What will be brought to the believers at the revelation of Jesus Christ? Why?

5.      As obedient children, what the believers are supposed to be?

6.      What does ‘Former ignorance’ mean here?

7.      What do you mean by ‘Be holy in your conduct?

8.      What Peter refers to the Believers? Why?

9.      How our God is holy?

10.  How can we be holy?