AN URGENT APPEAL FOR HOLY LIVING

1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 

 

The appeal contained in 1 Peter 1:15-16 was very much needed in the first century, but it is an appeal that needs to be made and heeded today, for how many Christians know of that holy, happy and useful life of which Peter is speaking and to which God is calling each one of His children?

In Peter's urgent appeal there are three truths relating to this matter of holy living:

 

1. THE CONSTRAINT OF A HOLY LIFE.

 

Why should we live a holy life? What is it that should move us to do so? There is a three fold constraint: 

 

(1) God the Father commands it.

 

(2) The Lord Jesus died and rose again for it.

 

(3) God the Holy Spirit has been given, and He   indwells us to make this possible and actual.

 

2. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A HOLY LIFE.

 

Notice in verse 15 the word "conversation", which means "behavior". This shows us what a practical matter   holiness is. A holy person will have: 

 

(1) A girded mind.

 

(2) A sober spirit.

 

(3) A quiet heart.

 

(4) A tender conscience.

 

(5) A loving disposition.

 

(6) A pure motive.

 

(7) A cleansed mouth.

 

What a practical thing this holy life is!  

 

What is the secret of it all? What are the conditions of a holy fife?

 

3. THE CONDITIONS OF A HOLY LIFE.

 

What must we do if we would be holy? 

 

(1) We must be born again.

 

(2) We must be obedient to the truth.

 

(3) We must be utterly abandoned to the Holy Spirit.