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.”
The word, “holy” suggests that something or someone is pure, sinless, upright, and set apart for God. God, Himself is the definition of holy. As I understand Peter he is saying that we who are called by God should be like God. Not in the things that are unique to God, his power, omniscience, and authority, etc., but in his character. God is humble and loving, patient, kind, and long-suffering. Those are the things we can emulate.
Discerning the difference between what is unique to God and what he can share with us is important. We need to understand that He is God and we are not. It is the lack of discernment in this area that led Lucifer to presume he could be like God. I think we are in danger of falling into the same trap when we presume upon God’s authority.
There is a difference between declaring that someone has been saved (past tense) and will be saved (future tense). One is within our authority to say and one is not. This does not diminish God’s ability to save anyone or his willingness to do so. It does not diminish the Gospel message in any way. What it does is keep us in the right lane.
Are we in agreement that there are aspects of God we should not emulate? We are not to judge another person’s fitness for heaven1. Does this mean we can judge them fit for heaven but not unfit? Of course not! God has chosen to allow the wheat and the tares to grow up together.2 Only he knows the heart.3 It is his judgment that determines who is saved and who is not.4 So if all that is true, we are well served to leave the judgment of our souls to the Father and the Son.
So what are the benefits for us if we do this?5 How does this aspect of being holy help promote the kingdom of God on earth? The answer is, I believe, twofold. In the first place, it helps protect our soul and our conscience from being hurt. In the second place, it helps us and others to maintain a proper attitude towards God.
Let’s examine the first case. A believer is excited to share the Gospel with a friend, and the friend accepts and joins the church. The believer happily assures his friend that he is “saved.” Later, the friend backslides drops out of church and falls in with the wrong crowd. The believer is hurt and disappointed. What happened? Is his friend still saved? Can a person be unsaved?
Through all this, the door to doubt and confusion has been opened. The believer has overstepped their proper bounds. They may even feel guilty for suggesting the person had been saved.
In the second case, the friend who accepts the believer’s invitation and joins the church has been told they are saved. They think,”Why worry? I’m saved!” But are they?
It is at this point in my thinking that I feel convicted by some of the comments yesterday. Am I wrong to think that there are people who, “…have secretly slipped in among you,” as Jude writes? He continues, “They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.”6
I realize I am picking nits here. This is a fine point. But is it an important point? Do we want to risk hurting ourselves, offending God, and give people an excuse to “pervert the grace of our God”? Can we avoid all this by being careful with our language? All we need to do is remember that we can promise Jesus will save us if we believe in him.7
Application: Be holy in thought and word as well as deed.
Food for Thought: Does today’s post shed any light on our discussion yesterday?
1 Romans 2: 3
2 Matthew 13: 31-35
3 Matthew 9: 14
4 Keeping in mind that the Father and the Son are one and that the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son. (John 5:22)
5 Romans 8:28
6 Jude 1:4
7 Matthew 10:22
Thank you brother. I think we can tend to make complex something that is simple and the other way around. I tend to be a master at that 😉.
Simply put: Anyone who sincerely calls upon the name of the Lord, trusting in Jesus’ work on their behalf – is saved (Acts 2:21; Romans 10: 9 – 13; both quoting Joel 2: 32; Ephesians 1: 13; Ephesians 2: 8 – 9; 1 John 5: 11 – 13). What we can’t judge is their sincerity in trusting in Christ’s work on the cross. Judging another’s heart is God’s job.
Brother Rich,
Thank you for your patience and your comment! 🙂
There is a nugget of something buried in all of this. I don’t think I have quite put my finger on it yet. I may be talking around it or just talking in circles. Not quite sure…
Anyway, I appreciate the reference verses and I TOTALLY AGREE that pointing to Scripture that affirms salvation for the believer is proper and right. In fact, I am inclined to think that pointing to Scripture is the only proper way to handle the topic. We are ambassadors for God, but there are limits on our authority.
Blessings!
Rich,
Great point, I always appreciate the love of Christ in your posts, while mine are often like a mule in a small space.
God bless
NO, YOU ARE NOT WRONG.
ALSO SEE: Luke 10:16, Titus 1:16, 1 John 1:6, John 3:6-8,
Matthew 7:21-23,
Many people in my church call themselves christians. I believe they have a head knowledge not a heart knowledge. They say the Bible is true as originally written (deny God could preserve His truths over time) or parts are out of date. Profess their true power comes as they unite in a community and promote the current liberal platform as the solution for (mans) success. During our sermon they are busy texting. WATCH THEIR THUMBS. I avoid them. God will Judge them.
God has given us some examples of those He loves. All are imperfect beings attempting to serve His perfect our perfect God.
PETER Walked on water, took eyes off Christ and began sinking. Became impatient when Jesus asked, “Do you love Me?” Went to sleep when Jesus asked him to stay awake and pray. Cut the ear off a man in the party arresting Jesus. Denied Christ three times, was the first to proclaim Christ the Son of God.
ABRAHAM the father of our faith, lied to Pharaoh twice rather than trust God to avoid death, argued with God at Sodom, Sarah laughed when she was told she would have a baby, felt she was too old.
JACOB wrestled with God.
MOSES was reluctant to serve, was told by God to cease praying and move at Red Sea, struck the rock for water when told to touch the rock with his staff.
JONAH, Said yes to God, then went another way.
DAVID, Lied to Philistines, slept with Uriah’s wife, had Uriah murdered.
SOLOMON, depended on ties with men over God’s promise to secure his kingdom. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, enabled idol worship by his wives, rather than trust in God.
Solomon acquired 4,000 stalls for horses 1400 chariots, and 12,000 horses, conflicting with Deuteronomy 17:16, But the king must not acquire many horses.
The parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32,
Romans 8:29, For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Below are 15 attributes of God, being Immutable (never changing) means He is all His attributes, all the time.
God Is Infinite, God Is Immutable, God Is Self-Sufficient, God is Omnipotent, God Is Omniscient, God Is Omnipresent, God Is Wise,
God Is Faithful, God Is Good, God Is Just, God Is Merciful, God Is Gracious, God Is Loving, God Is Holy, God Is Glorious,
Our bible clearly teaches us about people making choices and the results of the choices they make. Simple.
Our bible also many times states chosen ones, chosen by God. Our infinite God wants all to clearly understand He foreknew all things, now taking place, before creation. He approves and has Predestined all events by His foreknowledge. We glorify God as we acknowledge His foreknowledge in our lives.
In the 1500’s two men divided the church into two camps by stating God was either-or. They were men reducing the power of God to something they could understand.
God could have saved a lot of time if He had just created all mankind. Put us in two groups and said that group goes to hell, and this group stays with me because I know how you would have chosen if I had wasted a lot of time going through all this creation business and I just don’t have time for that.
God lives in now, He knows no time, so give us all the same information, and let each exercise our free will as we choose. All will stand before God knowing exactly what they chose, and like it or not each will know Gods judgement is righteous.
Is it possible we are all Predestined to Exercise Free Will?
Excellent comments Ron. And I do not think they are like a mule in a small space :). Well said, great verses.
Rich,
Really enjoy all the comments from this group. I’m sure they all enjoy your guidance as their pastor.
Ron,
Thank you for making good use of your dispensation! 🙂
You have highlighted many of the issues that have troubled me over the years. People who say one thing and do another. I suppose we all do that to some extent, yet it seems to me that the heart of the true believer is open to correction. If not correction, at least discussion! In fact, I think that it is through discussion that we come to understand each other’s perspectives better, and when that happens we grow. We grow in understanding and compassion for others.
As to your question about predestination and free will, I offer this:
I think the two terms are two sides of the same coin. Predestination is how the coin looks from God’s point of view. Free will is how it looks from ours.
Jeff,
Excellent point. I really enjoy each of your posts and am totally amazed with your questions. Keep it going Brother!
Ron
👍🏻