That boy was like a lot of churchgoing Americans. They put on a good front when they know someone is watching, but the rest of the time they let down their standards. There's not much difference between them and those in the world, except that they go to church a little more. The divorce rate among Christians is about the same as in society at large. In fact, the third highest divorce rate occupationally, after doctors and police, goes to Pastors! Christians watch the same TV shows and movies for the same number of hours weekly as everyone else. Christian youths are involved in sexual immorality to the same extent as those not naming Christ as Savior. Many Christian businessmen have a bad reputation. It would seem that our Christianity doesn't have much effect on the way we live." (Bible.org, Developing A Holy Lifestyle.)
The word "holy" is mistakenly thought to mean "perfect." In reality, "holy" means "separate." It carries the idea of "set apart to someone" or "set apart for a particular use." For example, my wife is the primary driver of our Toyota SUV and I am the primary driver of our Ford SUV. Even though we have joint ownership of both vehicles, she calls the Toyota "her car." I is set apart for her use. In the Old Testament, the vessels and other items used in the Hebrew Temple were declared "holy," not because they were perfectly made, but because they had been "set apart" exclusively for use in the Hebrew Temple. A damaged vessel, removed from use, had to be destroyed as opposed to given to someone for use in their home. They were "holy" or "set apart" exclusively for temple use.
The Apostle Peter challenged his reader to live "holy." His readers were Jewish Christians, probably living in the northern provinces of the Roman Empire (modern western Turkey). They experienced suffering at the hands of the Romans (expulsion) and at the hands of the larger Jewish community in which they lived for abandoning the Jewish faith for Christianity.
Sometimes, suffering causes people to move closer to Jesus in their spiritual walk. At other times, suffering causes people to move further from Jesus in their spiritual walk. In order to counter any tendency to use personal suffering as an excuse to abandon a holy lifestyle. Peter listed four reason why suffering believers should remain faithful in their practice of personal holiness.
Reason #1 - Eternal Hope In Jesus (1:13) - The promised joy of eternity should cause the Christ-follower to remain faithful in holy living during times of suffering.
Reason #2 - The Holy Nature of God (1:14-17) - The holy character of the heavenly Father should compel us to remain faithful in holy living during times of suffering.
Reason #3 - The Future Judgement (1:17) - A believer's personal accountability to God should encourage them to remain faithful in holy living during times of suffering.
Reason #4 - Our Suffering Savior (1:18-21) - Christ's endurance of suffering on behalf of mankind should compel us to remain faithful in holy living during times of suffering.
Are you faking the Christian life outwardly, but inwardly, you are not living in holiness. Consider the reasons to be genuinely holy. Turn from your hypocrisy. Live "set apart" to Jesus!
--Allan
