1 Peter 1:2, 14-25, 2:1-9
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. – 1 Peter 1:14-15
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In Leviticus 21–22, God gave the priests of Israel strict commands to maintain their holiness. They were to be physically and ceremonially clean, set apart in every area of life. Even regarding who they married and how they handled sacrifices. Why such high standards? Because the priest stood in the gap in representing the people before God and God before the people. Their holiness was public for all to see. Their lives shaped how the people viewed the holiness of God.
In the New Testament, Peter takes this powerful identity and applies it to all believers. Through Christ, we are now “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). Like the Levitical priests, we are called to live lives that reflect the holiness of the God we represent.
Peter reminds us that this identity is not based on our efforts, but on God’s mercy and grace:
“According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood” (1 Peter 1:2).
Holiness is both a gift and a calling. Christ has already made us clean through His blood, just as the priests were consecrated in the Old Testament. Yet, Peter exhorts us not to take this lightly. We must live out this identity in reverent fear, remembering that we were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
The holiness that God desires in us is not just about external ritual, but it is a life transformed by the gospel. Peter writes: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:14–15).
Holiness shows in how we love, forgive, serve, and reflect God’s character in our everyday lives. Like the priests in Leviticus, we are to bring offerings to God. But it is not animals that God requires of us, but spiritual sacrifices that please Him (1 Peter 2:5). And so it is with our words, thoughts, and deeds, in fact our entire lives that we offer up to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him.
Reflection:
How have you embraced your identity as one of God’s holy priests? Are there areas in your life where you’ve allowed sin, bitterness, or compromise to blur your witness? Is your conduct pointing others to a holy God?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, Thank you for calling us out of the darkness into Your marvellous light. And you have chosen us to be Your royal priesthood and a holy people who will mediate for the world before You. Please forgive us for the times when we have allowed ourselves to be drawn and enticed by the things of this world. Help us, O Lord, by Your Holy Spirit in us, to cleanse us and transform our hearts, that we may live out this holy calling You have given to us and point others to You. Thank you Father for Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Click to read
In Leviticus 21–22, God gave the priests of Israel strict commands to maintain their holiness. They were to be physically and ceremonially clean, set apart in every area of life. Even regarding who they married and how they handled sacrifices. Why such high standards? Because the priest stood in the gap in representing the people before God and God before the people. Their holiness was public for all to see. Their lives shaped how the people viewed the holiness of God.
In the New Testament, Peter takes this powerful identity and applies it to all believers. Through Christ, we are now “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). Like the Levitical priests, we are called to live lives that reflect the holiness of the God we represent.
Peter reminds us that this identity is not based on our efforts, but on God’s mercy and grace:
“According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood” (1 Peter 1:2).
Holiness is both a gift and a calling. Christ has already made us clean through His blood, just as the priests were consecrated in the Old Testament. Yet, Peter exhorts us not to take this lightly. We must live out this identity in reverent fear, remembering that we were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
The holiness that God desires in us is not just about external ritual, but it is a life transformed by the gospel. Peter writes: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:14–15).
Holiness shows in how we love, forgive, serve, and reflect God’s character in our everyday lives. Like the priests in Leviticus, we are to bring offerings to God. But it is not animals that God requires of us, but spiritual sacrifices that please Him (1 Peter 2:5). And so it is with our words, thoughts, and deeds, in fact our entire lives that we offer up to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him.
Reflection:
How have you embraced your identity as one of God’s holy priests? Are there areas in your life where you’ve allowed sin, bitterness, or compromise to blur your witness? Is your conduct pointing others to a holy God?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, Thank you for calling us out of the darkness into Your marvellous light. And you have chosen us to be Your royal priesthood and a holy people who will mediate for the world before You. Please forgive us for the times when we have allowed ourselves to be drawn and enticed by the things of this world. Help us, O Lord, by Your Holy Spirit in us, to cleanse us and transform our hearts, that we may live out this holy calling You have given to us and point others to You. Thank you Father for Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.