1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.
Why do I have to be pure? Why can't I indulge the flesh a little? (imagine the previous questions asked with a whiny voice). I sometimes wonder these questions, but one answer is found in verse 15: "as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct". We are supposed to be in His image, to be like God, and God is pure and holy so we should try to be pure and holy. A Christian is supposed to be like Christ, to imitate His behavior. This is why Peter refers to us as "obedient children" (verse 14); just like an obedient child tries to please his parents, so we should try to please our Heavenly Father by being like Him.
Heavenly Father, help me to imitate You, and to be pure as You are pure.
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.
Why do I have to be pure? Why can't I indulge the flesh a little? (imagine the previous questions asked with a whiny voice). I sometimes wonder these questions, but one answer is found in verse 15: "as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct". We are supposed to be in His image, to be like God, and God is pure and holy so we should try to be pure and holy. A Christian is supposed to be like Christ, to imitate His behavior. This is why Peter refers to us as "obedient children" (verse 14); just like an obedient child tries to please his parents, so we should try to please our Heavenly Father by being like Him.
Heavenly Father, help me to imitate You, and to be pure as You are pure.