1 Peter 1:14-16 NKJV: Living a Holy Life
As followers of Christ, we are called to live a life that honors God and reflects His character. In 1 Peter 1:14-16, the apostle Peter reminds us of the importance of living a holy life, set apart from the world and dedicated to serving the Lord.
Conduct Yourselves in Fear
"As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:14-15 NKJV)
In these verses, Peter emphasizes the importance of living a life of obedience to God. As children of God, we are called to conduct ourselves in fear of the Lord, recognizing that we are no longer slaves to our old sinful nature, but new creations in Christ. We are to abandon our former ways of living, which were characterized by ignorance of God's ways, and instead seek to live a life that honors Him.
Be Holy, for I Am Holy
The call to holiness is rooted in God's own nature. Because God is holy, we are called to reflect that holiness in our own lives. This is not a call to perfection, but a call to consecration, to set ourselves apart from the world and its sinful ways. As Peter reminds us, "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16 NKJV). This command is rooted in Leviticus 11:44-45, where God says, "I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples. You shall therefore distinguish between clean animals and unclean, between unclean birds and clean, and you shall not make yourselves detestable by animal or by bird, or by any creeping thing that creeps on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean."
Conclusion
In 1 Peter 1:14-16, we are reminded that as followers of Christ, we are called to live a life of obedience, consecration, and holiness. We are to abandon our former ways of living and seek to reflect God's character in our words, actions, and thoughts. May we heed Peter's exhortation and strive to live a life that honors God in every way.
