Be Ye Holy

1 February

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Peter 1:14 to 16

What does it mean to be holy? Websters Dictionary gives a beautiful definition, "pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies completely pure, immaculate and complete in moral character. We call a man holy when his heart is conformed to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts."

What is the key to being holy? The verse above says that we need to be obedient children to God and to not fashion ourselves according to the former lusts of this world. Being holy means being directed by God in all that you do; being holy means that you are determined to get rid of all the bad habits, get rid of the junk you watch on television, or listen to on the radio, and be fashioned by God.

Romans 12:2 says, "Be ye not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." Renew your mind. What you feed into your mind — the things you see, touch, hear, smell and taste — it is those things that settle in your heart if not dealt with swiftly. If you feed your mind the things of God, you will be transformed to be that holy nation that the Word says you can be. Feed yourself the things of this world and you cannot live a holy life, pleasing to God.

Can a believer be holy? A lot of Christians make the excuse, "You know what. God knows I'm imperfect so I can never be holy." What nonsense. If the Bible commands, "Be ye holy," then being holy unto God is possible. It may not be possible in a carnal mind but when you put on the mind of Christ, you begin to realize that nothing is impossible to them that believe and are determined to live that life that God can be pleased with.