March 19th
“15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”17Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Peter 1:15-21 NIV
God calls us to live in holiness, which is impossible to achieve without supernatural assistance. With the Holy Spirit living in us, the impossible is suddenly possible! Pursuing holiness is no easy task, but the rewards will be eternal for us.
Holiness is not a way to earn our salvation, because God counts us as righteous by our faith in Jesus Christ. He calls us to obey his commands (i.e. living in holiness) as a proof of our love for him (John 14:23-24). Peter revealed some of the secrets of holiness that will help us be successful in our walk toward purity.
Our mindset has a lot to do with whether we’ll able to walk in holiness. “Holy Aliens on Earth” is not some tabloid headline, but rather, it should apply to the people who are following Christ. Peter instructed, “Live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear” (17). Living as a stranger or alien on earth can be a challenging thing to do. How comfortable are we in the world and how much do we embrace its sinful pleasures?
The key to seeing ourselves as aliens in the world is to focus our thoughts heavenward on “things above.” Paul wrote, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2 NIV). Our identity is with Christ in heaven as God’s newly adopted children. It is difficult to live in that reality, when we are surrounded with so many sources of worldly pleasures that remind us of the sinful people we used to be. If we start letting our eyes and thoughts dwell on the world’s carnal pleasures, our mindset will be earthly. Now I’m not saying that all pleasure is bad – certainly not! There are many forms of God-endorsed pleasure that are healthy for us to enjoy.
There are some additional actions we can take to support the “alien mindset.” Firstly, we can stop loving the world’s pleasures. John wrote, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15-16).
As God’s children, we should have nothing to do with sin, because sin is rebellion against our Father in heaven. We can ask God to help us die to the love of sin and help us to hate it like he does. Peter also wrote, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11).
Secondly, we can remind ourselves that we will be giving an account to God for how we have lived on earth. Our attitude should be one of “reverent fear,” in view of the incredible sacrifice made on our behalf. God sent his own Son to be crucified as a sacrifice for our sin. The way we live will testify to how seriously we take that sacrifice. We can be sure that God took the death of his Son very seriously. He expects us to live in reverence for the sacrifice that was made for us.
Questions for further thought:
In Christ, where is our new “citizenship”? (Philippians 3:20)
What happens to our “old self” that was dead in sin when we start entertaining sin in our thoughts and actions? (Ephesians 4:22-24; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Hebrews 3:13)
What did Abraham’s “alien mindset” and faith in God’s promise of future citizenship help him to do? (Hebrews 11:8-10)
What are some actions you can do to help foster a heavenly mindset? (Philippians 4:8)
Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, Thank you for redeeming me through your Son’s blood. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to help me live in holiness. Please forgive me for the sin in my life. Please wash my conscience clean of the dead works of sin. Please help me change my earthbound mindset into a heavenly mindset. Please help me die to any love of sin that I have been tolerating. Please help me see myself as you see me; as a son (or daughter) of God and to live in reverence for the sacrifice that you made for me. Thank you, Father! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”