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TMeeks -> RE: Living Holy Lives (7/2/2009 11:49:42 AM)
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How many ways can one say that the words of the Bible are carefully chosen and mean something. While your post seems very spiritual and has elements of truth, it completely fails to consider the plain words of the entire context of 1 Peter 1. Peter, while referring back to the Old Testament, was not talking about an Old Testament 'law'. He was calling actual people to make choices in an actual way. He wasn't trying to trick them into failing so that they would recognize their failures. He clearly was calling them to CHOSE to lead holy lives. And, to spiritualize that is to twist the plain meaning of Scripture. 1 Peter 1-2 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: In the introduction Peter lays out that the Spirit DOES do the work of sanctification. But, the word 'FOR' states the purpose of the Spirit's work which is to pave the way for us to have the power to make the CHOICE of obedience and daily cleansing by applying the blood of Christ. This CLEARLY shows an interaction of Spirit and free will. And, the word "Therefore" could not be clearer in this regard. It is not the Holy Spirit, ALONE, that is to prepare out minds. Peter flatly commands US as individuals to prepare our minds. This clearly implies, not an impossible task, as you have suggested... but, a POSSIBLE task taken on by an all children of God. Prepare... Be... Set... Do Not... In all you do... live... While I thoroughly agree that abiding in Christ is THE necessary component of successfully being able to live a Holy life, there are subtle differences in application of that principle that I would see in your overarching interpretation. All of these are action words and all directed at us. Yes, they are given to us in the context of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and our sealing as Children of God. But, every one is presented as attainable NOW. And, every one involves our choice to attain it now. 1 Peter 13-17 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. You are confusing the purpose of law PRE-HOLY SPIRIT with the purpose of exhortation POST-HOLY SPIRIT. They are NOT the same. quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven quote:
ORIGINAL: brody0313 1 Peter 15-16 (NIV) But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do: for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (ref: Lev 11:44,45; 19:2) I'm interested in hearing from others in the community as to how they would define "being holy". In particular, what are your thoughts on the following: -what does it mean to be holy (examples would be great). Thanks and God Bless!! Brody If that verse doesn't bury you, then nothing will. It is the summation of what is necessary to make oneself acceptable to a holy God. Not an unreasonable demand from a holy God at all. The problem is that people have the erroneous belief that God would never give us a demand that we couldn't do. But, that is exactly the point, to show us our complete inability to make ourselves what the righteousness and holiness of God demands. "So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith."(Gal. 3:24) Gods righteous demands, and our failure to live up to them, are designed to lead us to He Who alone is able, to the One Who alone is Holy. So that through our dependence upon Him, He can then live the life that a holy God requires. Or it drives us, in our pride, to try in our own effort to be what only God is. God set us apart, in His mind, before there even was a creation. To be holy means to be indwelt by the Holy One, Jesus Christ. Who by His one sacrifice, has made us holy and acceptable in His sight. "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight" (Eph. 1:4). And we are. Not because of anything we have or can do, but because of what Christ has and continues to do in and through us, as we abide in Him.
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