Holy - 1 Peter 1:14-16

Holy

What is Holy? Who is Holy? What does Holy Mean?

Definition: dedicated or consecrated to God, hallowed, sanctified, devoted to the service of God, saintly, godly, ordained

From the germanic origin of whole, complete

Holy is to be different, set aside, called out, special. Most people see Holy as being perfect, sinless, blameless and complete. Theses are all true statements. So unattainable as humans as we strive for the perfect body, face, hair, family, job, house, car, etc. We work for unattainable goals. Here’s another one: 1 Peter 1:14-16  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, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Peter is reminding us, actually commanding us to be Holy and Obedient children. Just because God who called us is Holy. That seems unreasonable, doesn’t it? Let’s look at this reference; Leviticus 11:44-45  For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

After listing all the unclean things they were to avoid God summarizes His feelings towards His people. Be Holy because I am Holy and again He says You are Holy because I am Holy.

So we have one section referencing another, that’s not enough, but it is because God said it. Now Jesus also states the same over His followers, which includes us. John 17:14-19 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.  And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified[d] in truth. and then John helps us out again in 1 John 3:3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

We are to be Holy, sanctified, complete, pure, consecrated people because Jesus, because God, because of the Holy Spirit. We don’t belong in the world, but we minister, we work, and we live here, but it’s not our home. Don’t get comfortable here. Be Holy, but be ready to leave because we don’t belong, the world doesn’t like truth and we are sanctified in the truth of Jesus. We are consecrated by God.

That makes us alive in Jesus and dead to the world. Living sacrifices and living stones as part of worship to God. We are sacrifices for God daily, it’s part of our services to God to sacrifice ourselves daily. To be available to God in whatever way possible. Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  puts it nicely as we present ourselves to God daily we are Acceptable and Holy sacrifices to God. And when we focus on God we will know what is pleasing and acceptable to God. God makes us Holy and Acceptable through Jesus and because God is Holy therefore making us Holy and Acceptable. Which means we are the Church, the Bride of Jesus. We are living stones that make up the Spiritual house of God. So we are part of God’s Temple, the building blocks that make it up. That is how Holy and Acceptable we are to God. Again we are Holy. Look at 1 Peter 2:4-5 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,  you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ., because of Jesus we are found to be Holy and Acceptable.

We are Holy to God. Holy beings that are not of this world, sanctified by Jesus, consecrated and set apart, called out to be a Holy priesthood. All because God gives us that gift. God makes us Holy. Jesus has sanctified us because we hope in Him and that brings us close to God. Just as grace is God’s inclination to bless us which means to come near. All that combined makes us the most awesome sacrifice living on God’s altar while we are at the same time part of God’s Temple. Stones that make up His building, where this altar stands, that’s where we are an ever present sweet smell to God.

We are the Holy, Acceptable, Pure people of God who represent His Temple on earth and bring Joy to God who desires us Jealously.

Grace - 1 Peter 1:3-12

Charis (Khar' ece) is the Greek for Grace.  Defined as divine influence on the heart and it's reflection in the life including gratitude.  Also benefit, favor, gift, joy, pleasure, thanks, and kindness.  It's also synonymous with mercy - being able to give without the merit of worth of the receiver.  The greek refers to the hebrew of /kana' grace - extension toward also meaning to God freely extending Himself (His favor, grace), reaching (inclining) to people because He is disposed to bless (be near) them.

In the OT spoke of Grace but mostly it was the Grace that we were to know, future grace.  The grace being prepared for us.  Our Faith is sown in God's grace - a soil we don't deserve but God provides.  Just like our Faith is a gift from God but we must do something with it.  It is by God's grace that we receive anything.  Yet what do we do with what God provides is just as important.

Peter states where and how this grace came to be.  In 1 Peter 1:10-11 he says:  Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.  It was prophecy about grace that was directed about Jesus and his bringing the grace, but also about us being the receivers of grace.  The prophets were hearing God speak about us and what we were to receive (without our merit) and about Jesus being the one to provide us with the grace.

Zechariah prophesied about Jesus by God's word in Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn."  Jesus is that Spirit of grace and mercy that God poured out on the world.  Without Jesus arrival here we would have no grace.  Also there would be not fulfillment of prophecy and scripture.  We would continue to be lost in our sin and attempting redemption by our own sacrifices and penance.

Look at John 1:14, 16-17  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth........ 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.   Jesus again the one bringing grace and truth.  Jesus is full of grace ans so out of His fullness we receive grace upon grace.  Grace because Jesus is grace and again because Jesus brings grace.  With this grace comes access.  Hebrews 4:14-16   Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.   Jesus is bringing His followers right to God's throne of grace and mercy.  Tearing down the barrier that separated us from God.  Giving us as Jesus's brothers and sisters an inheritance that is imperishable and access to the Father's throne room where we will find grace and mercy always.

So humility, being humble is a part of understanding grace and we need to be humble.  We are not to be proud as James 4:5-6 states.  Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  We have access by being humble. So be humble because God is jealously want us for His own.  He doesn't want to share us with others.  Also Romans 12:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.  Humility makes us able to receive the grace of God better.  Which is the fulfillment of the Spirit of God that indwells in us all.

God's grace is our gift and we need to treat it as such.  Be humble in regards to it since we did not earn it and can't work for it.  We can grow our Faith and strengthen that muscle, but we need to remember that grace is God's unmerited gift to us.  So treat that gift very carefully and stay tuned to what being Holy is all about in the next post.  It will help you understand somethings better.  Also who you are in regards to God and His wonderful gifts to us as Born Again, Christians, Followers of Jesus.

References:  1 Peter 1:10-11, Zechariah 12:10, John 1:14,16,17, Hebrews 4:14-16, James 4:5-6, Romans 12:3

Salvation - 1 Peter 1:3-12

Salvation in the Greek is soteria it's reference in 196 different occurrences of the Bible.  Soteria translates to rescue, safety, deliver, health, salvation, save and saving.

So to continue from the previous post we can't see Faith, Salvation or Grace.  These words are concepts, nouns, products of God, things that we work with and work out within our limited minds and our limitless spirits.  Faith is us putting to practice and work out choice to follow and God equipping us to do that work for which we are called.  Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  It means following the will of God for our lives by following the Word of God so that we find calling and purpose.  If we follow God's Word we allow God to lead us and opportunities present themselves that God wants for us.

Now one of those is Salvation.  It is an opportunity provided by God. Salvation is freely given from God through Jesus.  From our choice to hold our Faith, our Trust in His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead.

Here are some things to look at in regards to Salvation:

1 Peter 1:5 - It's guarded by our Faith and will be revealed in the last days.
1 Peter 1:4 - It's imperishable (guaranteed), undefiled (pure, can't spoil), and unfading (won't / can't wear out), untouchable (protected in heaven), long lasting (eternal)
1 Peter 1:9 - It flourishes as an outcome of Faith
Romans 6:22-23 - Is a result of God's Grace
1 Peter 1:10 and Luke 10:24 - Was foretold by the prophets
1 Peter 2:9 - Separates us from the world
Hebrews 5:9 - Jesus is our source of eternal salvation

The first reference of Salvation is Genesis 49:18, the last reference is Revelation 22:17.

All of that denotes that God provides the Salvation.  Jesus name also means to deliver, to rescue and salvation.  Just look at the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:9 to be specific.  And so He is salvation.  Jesus the perfect sacrifice makes us who Trust, Sons and Daughters, family without which we have no inheritance, but in verse 4 of 1 Peter 1 we do have that inheritance so we are family.  Psalms and the Old Testament when speaking of salvation say it's God's.  But for our our time, not then, but now.  It's intangible.  We will see it's result in the revelation at our final calling, when Jesus returns.

From start to finish the Bible focuses on God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit from end to end.  Exodus 15:2 - God has become our salvation, this if from the Song of Moses.  Isaiah 12:2 - Putting our trust in God for our salvation.  Let me leave you with a few references more to look over.  Luke 1:76-77 - John the Baptist was sent to proclaim the coming of Salvation (Jesus)to the world.  Ephesians 6;17 - We wear the Helmet of Salvation - sign of who we belong to and a protection against death.  Titus 2:11-15 - Salvation is freely available to all.  1 Peter 2:1-2 - We grow into our salvation.

Salvation is freely available to all who will Trust in Jesus and put their Faith in what He did to abolish sin and death.  Accept it and Live it before it's too late.

Faith - 1 Peter 1:3-12

1 Peter 1:3-12

To start off here are some attributes to Faith: Guard, Shield, Seal, Producer, invisible, looks to the future, evidence of things unseen, non-tangible.

In 1 Peter 1:3-12, Faith and Salvation are mentioned 3 times each and Grace once.  In verse 5 it speaks of Faith being our guard over out salvation.  When you look at Ephesians 6:16 it's our shield against satan's attacks.  In Romans 9:30-33 it brings righteousness and in Hebrews 11:6 it would be impossible to please God without our Faith.  Given to us by God, but our choice/seed to use as God expects.  In James 1:2-4 our Faith is tested daily and produces steadfastness.  Then in 2 Peter 1:5-8 we need to supplement our Faith.  This helps us to strengthen our shield, guard and fortress.  We work on this and so does God.  It's not our work alone or anything to earn heaven it's just our way of growing.

We grow by our daily walk, devotional time in the Bible, relationships with other Christians, attendance at Church and many other ways but these are core to strengthening our faith.  Our Faith grows and is strengthened by various trials that test us and how we respond can either strengthen or weaken our Faith.  Both of these provide us with a Faith so we can defend our salvation and provide a defense against satan's attacks.  Practice and application within these areas means that our Faith will and is more precious than gold.  Our salvation is that important that we have a system in place to protect it all costs.

In verse 9 our faith produces / outcome is a strong, flourishing, fruitful salvation that brings in v. 7 praise, glory and honor at Jesus revelation at the last time as shown in verse 5.  Now Faith is interesting because it's our side of the coin.  It is ours to make the decision.  God draws us all to Him but each of us makes the choice.  Faith is reference as ours.  Possessive to the person. God provides the grace to all and salvation to those who put their Faith, Trust in God and what Jesus accomplished on the cross and His resurrection.

Just look at Matthew 17:19-20 where Jesus speaks of the disciples Faith and how they needed to have little faith to at least so the little things.  In Luke 17:5-6 the disciples ask to have their faith increased by Jesus and Jesus says again how they need to have just a little faith and they will have enough.  Grace is the soil for our seed of Faith that we provide the choice to do something with it.  Ephesians 2:8-10 states that it's by Faith that we are God's not by anything that we do beyond making the choice to follow.  Here are some more references: Matthew 21:21-22, Mark 11:22-23 and James 2:22-23.

The act of doing completes our Faith.  Our works are our outward expression of our faith and it builds our faith, and strengthens it.  Do you take responsibility for your Faith?  Do you nurture it, feed it, help it to grow?  What are you doing with your faith?  It's like a plant so take care of it.

Our Faith is the words in the book of our life.  What's written in your book?  Are you daily trusting God for your well being?

A Believer’s Position in Grace

A Believer’s Position in Grace

Ephesians 1:1-14

I. Paul’s Letter (Epistle) to Ephesians was written around 62-64 AD, while he was under house arrest in Rome.  It was carried by Tychicus w/ the letter for Colossians and Philemon.  We are going to look at Ephesians Chapter 1 and the Theme of “A Believer’s Position in Grace”.
A letter of general instruction.  One of the churches Paul helped start.  It was his base of operation for 2 years while spreading the gospel to the area of Asia Minor.  Was a wealthy port city.  The are referenced in Revelations 2:1-7 as abandoning their first love (Jesus) and not continuing to do what they should.  They needed to remember what they were like when they first believed and what they did then and to do it again.  They fulfilled John’s prophecy in that there isn’t a single Christian living there now.

II. v. 3 All or Every Spiritual Blessing in Jesus - What do you think that phrase means?  Do you believe they are yours to claim?  The are all still available to the Believe today.  Pure doctrines of the Gospel.  Full graces and gifts of the Spirit.  Transferred and conveyed by the Holy Spirit.  Necessary in the work of God among men.
Blessings of God are the Teachings of Jesus and the unmerited. Love, freely give to us from God and the wonderful gifts of the Spirit, also freely given to us by God.
Based on our knowing Jesus as our Lord
Nothing we do improves that.  Unearned.  No work justifies it.
We show our works now because we love God and what He did for us and want to return a small portion back.

III. v. 4 Holy and Blameless in His sight - Who wants to be Holy and Blameless in God’s sight?  How can we be Holy and Blameless in God’s sight?  Before time God chose that those found in Jesus would be Holy and Blameless before Him in Love.  It’s because God sees us through a Jesus filter.  If it wasn’t for Jesus sacrifice, where he stood in our place on the cross, between heaven and earth as our ultimate sacrifice, God would not be able to look upon us due to our daily sin.
Being holy and blameless is a goal set by God, it’s not optional.  We are Holy, in other words, morally pure.  We are blameless, as in guilt free from sin.  These are only available because of Jesus and what He did for us.

IV. v. 5 Predestined us to be adopted by God’s will - Who is predestined?  Adoption into the family of God as Christians.  This is God’s will to make us His children in Jesus.  By Jesus sacrifice and shedding of blood we are now blood relatives.  Blood relatives to each other as part of the family of God and blood relatives to God.  Officially children of God.

V. v. 6 Made acceptable in Jesus - Why do we need to be made acceptable?  Blessed us and favored us in the Beloved, that is Jesus.  Again if it wasn’t for Jesus we would not be made acceptable to God.  And because we are made acceptable for God’s glorious praise.  Another way of putting it, is that coming to Jesus in salvation benefits God, because it brings glory, honor and praise to Him.

VI. v. 7 Redeemed by Jesus Blood - What does this mean to you?  Bought back from our sinful death by Jesus loving sacrifice.  If it wasn’t for Jesus we would die once and be done, but have eternal damnation since we can’t ever earn our way to Heaven or to God’s good graces.  This redemption entails / promises / guarantees our forgiveness of sins by God’s perfect grace.  It is God’s riches in grace that has freed us from slavery to sin and guilt and death.

VII. v. 8 Lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight (understanding) - What did He lavish upon us? His Grace.  We have peace in grace.  We can’t know peace without his grace.  It’s lavished and abounded or slavished or slathered upon us by God and w/ all His wisdom and insight.
By His Grace - Just Because . . . . He Loved us
By His Grace - Just Because . . . . He Knew us
By His Grace - Just Because . . . . Cared for us
That’s how much He Loves us.

VIII. v. 9-10 God’s mystery will is to unite all under Jesus - What is our Job?  God’s great mystery is to unite all under one umbrella, that is Jesus.  So since the beginning of time God wanted all to be united to Him.  To that end we sent Jesus who was obedient unto death to be the ultimate sacrifice and free us for the uniting of all.  It’s our job to assist in bringing all to Jesus.  We are called to be His instruments, either in word, action or visual representation.  Sometimes we are the only view of Jesus other people will ever have.

IX. v. 11-12 Inheritance in God - What did God give us here?  Gave us the ability to be heirs in eternal life.  God gave us Jesus and His obedience.  Jesus who agreed with God’s will made the inheritance possible.  Therefore we are called Son’s and Daughter’s of God.  Children of the living God.  Predestined people to be His to further reach out to others and bring them into the Body of Christ.

X. v. 13-14 Sealed with the Holy Spirit - What is our Guarantee?  The Holy spirit is our guarantee on our inheritance w/ Jesus.  It’s God’s seal upon us before all creation that we are His heirs.  Brothers and Sisters in Jesus.  Covered with a Royal Seal, that means we are protected and preserved.

XI. Summary - I want you to look at verses 6, 12 and 14 again and see if you see any similarities.  God’s blessings upon us as Christians bring praise, glory and honor to God.  So the little things we do each day for others and for God bring praise to His glory.

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What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

Matthew 10:46-52

46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him,“Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed Jesus on the way.

Jesus asked such a simple question and He already knew the answer.  Everyone in the crowd knew the answer.  It was as plain as the nose on the man’s face.  If he could have seen his nose he would have agreed.  Here is where it diverts from the expected path, because Jesus wasn’t looking for the obvious answer He was looking for the conversation.  Jesus wanted a relational conversation.  He knew what was needed, but He wanted to hear the man ask for it and to trust.  When Jesus calls, trust is involved.  And not just any old trust, but a trust founded on a belief.  Proverbs 3:5-6 says; “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”  There is a level of trust here that allows Bartimaeus to show his own needs, wants, desires and aspirations.  But, Jesus as always, wanted to get to the heart and soul of the moment and He wanted those around to see and believe.  Jesus wanted witnesses to the exchange between Him and this blind beggar and for those there to witness the man’s trust.  Jesus uses every moment to the fullest.

Now, Bartimaeus wore a beggar’s cloak, yet when Jesus called him he threw it off.  You would think he knew he wasn’t going to need it any more.  There is a level of trust shown there.  Beggars wore cloaks that signified their position in society as a beggar.  So everyone knew Bartimaeus as a beggar.  I’m sure it didn’t hurt that he was blind.  That was probably a dead give away.  But listen again to what it says, “throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus”.  He seriously knew what he was expecting from Jesus.  He put his trust right out there and that is something that Jesus wants from us.  Jesus wants us to trust Him and trust that he knows what is best for us.  Bartimaeus trusted that Jesus could and would heal him if he just asked.  It must have had something to do with his position along the road.  He had heard things about Jesus and wanted the opportunity to speak with Him.  Now here’s his opportunity and what does Jesus do, but ask him an obvious question.  It might have even been the question that Bartimaeus was hoping to hear.

Everyday Jesus asks us that same question… “What do you want me to do for you?”  You wake up in the morning and right there before you is a brand new fresh day.  Unopened, clean, untouched and ready to be used by you.  So Jesus asks you “What do you want me to do for you?”  He knows you so well, yet He wants you to tell Him.  To talk to Him.  To converse with Him.  To trust Him.  To have a relational conversation with Him.  You know the kind I’m talking about.  The kind you have with a friend, a spouse, a neighbor (without the gossip), a family member even.  He longs to hear from you.  Talk to Him in prayer, but not with the usual corporate prayer, but more conversational.  Not the “Lord take care of this”, “please help me with this”, “heal so and so of that”, “thank you for the other thing”.  But more like, “Lord today was hard, it really took me by surprise I really am thankful you were there with me”, or “you know Jesus I had a fun time today with my family.  Keep them safe on the road”.  Conversational like with a friend.  One of the most notable conversations was in John chapter 3.  Nicodemus and Jesus.  They talked and listened and Nicodemus learned.  Petitions are one thing, but relational conversations are another.  Relational conversations build, dare I say it, intimacy.  They build closeness. They build understanding.  They build relationships.  It’s not possible to have a petition only conversation with someone all the time.  That becomes an all take (the petition or request) and no give.  One sided.  One can’t very well keep or have any friends if that’s how you treat them.  No..., conversations are meant by sheer definition to be relational.  One definition of conversation is “association or social discussion; intimate acquaintance”.  That sounds to me like a relational conversation.  

For us to build a relationship the conversation has to be relational.  You need to relate to the other person to build a closeness and an intimacy.  That means we need to take our prayer time from petition time (wants, needs, etc) to a more relational time (how are you, I’m fine, here’s what happened in my day, what’s been going on with you?).  Still asking for needs and and requests for others, but in a more conversational way.  With more interaction with Jesus like you are talking to a friend.  This type of conversation will bring a closeness and intimacy like you’ve never known.   It builds TRUST and it builds CONNECTION and it builds a path of conversation that strengthens the bond between those speaking.  Being interested in Jesus and allowing Him to be interested in you will create a friendship and a relationship that will strengthen and grow.

Jesus wants relationships with each and everyone of us.  He wants us to trust that He knows what is good for us.  It’s important for growing and learning more about Him.  So What Do You Want Jesus To Do For You Today?  What can you tell Him about how things are going and how you are doing that will start the conversation off and get a trusting relationship started in a whole new way?  Open up to Him and share with Him your feelings and your fears.  Talk to Him like He is your friend and family member, because He is!  Take the time to build your relationship with Jesus in conversational prayer time!

This devotional was given on Easter Sunday April 5, 2015 at New Beginnings Community Church at the Easter Morning Breakfast.