1 & 2 PETER: BE HOLY

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Peter was radically transformed during the days following the resurrection of Jesus. He certainly had already seen the power of Christ in the days leading up to the cross, but now he fully understood who Jesus is and what He would accomplish. As a result, Peter was a passionate preacher of the Gospel wherever he went. In these books, Peter writes to the believers to remain faithful to their calling and their decision to believe in Christ. He knew the coming persecution and the temptation to fall away from their faith. He wanted the believers to know how very important is was to remain faithful until the coming of the Lord.

1 Peter 1:14-16 (CSB) As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. 15 But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy. 

1. God’s presence in our lives gives us everything we could ever need

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

• Often times we believe we don’t have what it takes to “live up” to Biblical standards
• Clearly, God’s Word says otherwise
• This is only possible when you embrace the presence of the Holy Spirit within you

2. As a result, we should seek the things ABOVE THIS WORLD

2 Peter 1:5-8 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• As 1 Peter 1:14-16 tells us, we must put our faith into action by seeking to be different
• This is how we achieve the calling of God in our lives
• Trying to “fit into the world” will always leave you feeling empty

3. And avoid the things OF THIS WORLD

2 Peter 1:4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.

• We have a responsibility to dwell on God’s Word and His promises in order to avoid the temptations of this present age

1 Peter 2:1-5 (CSB) Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word,, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, 3 if you have tasted that the Lord is good., 4 As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—5 you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

• God’s Word is the key ingredient to the fulfilled life
• Desiring His Word daily will relieve you of the pressures of the world around you

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.