We are to be Holy in our relationships

2/22/2019

What does the Apostle Peter mean when he encourages his readers to be Holy? In this same letter, he also quotes from Leviticus 11:44, “Be Holy, even as I am Holy.” How does the idea of being holy relate to the message of 1 Peter?

The Apostle Peter encourages the reader to endure suffering. In verse 6, Peter refers to suffering, “for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” He then explains that the suffering proves our faith genuine and glorifies God. He reminds the reader of salvation and the prophets predicting the suffering of Christ. Then in a shift, he uses the word, “Therefore” to transition…

Peter transitions and basically describes what being Holy is…self-control, setting our Hope on the return of Christ, and not conforming ourselves to the evil desires that we had, as an ignorant child [not knowing salvation in Christ]. Christ is an example of self-control, did not conform to the image of this world. He was and is Holy.

Therefore, in your suffering…Be Holy, self-controlled, and set your Hope in Jesus. Why, because we are redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to us from our forefathers (verse 18). We are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, a lamb who was slaughtered for us, sacrificed, who expressed self-control during that period of suffering. Yet, he lives to give us victory over sin and death.

Peter will move into relationships and how to live with one another, in holiness, with love towards another.

In Chapter two, Peter speaks of not living as this world lives. “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babes, crave pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have [experienced] that the Lord is good” (verses 1-3). This is the way of holy living, holy relationships.

Pure spiritual milk refers, figuratively, to the word of God. The written word of God and the Word of God in the flesh (Jesus). It can also mean the basic doctrine of the word, that of salvation in Jesus. Know salvation, the message of salvation, without a doubt. The Word of God is important to us as believers. David, the Psalmist writes, “I hide thy word in my heart, that I may not sin against you.”

Peter then writes about the living stone, Jesus, the cornerstone of our faith. People who do not understand the basic doctrine of salvation in Christ are tripped up and stumble. BUT, we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation [people].

Then Peter moves into relationships and he does not leave the theme of being Holy. He states that we are to “live such good lives among the pagans that . . . they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” verse 2:12.

He then begins to specifically address different kinds of relationships. We are to respond to suffering by being Holy and we are to be Holy in our relationships.

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Author

Dan is in a second career, that of Counselor, but he is a pastor at heart. He desires to present the Word of God in its context and then challenge the reader in its application to our lives. It is the Word of God that brings revival to our souls. The psalmist writes, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.

Dan and Maribel Kinjorski

Dan and Maribel are Bible Teachers. They love to expound on the Word of God. Maribel has been involved in Church since an early age. A graduate of the University of San German, Puerto Rico, in Business Administration and Economy. Dan is a graduate of East Coast Bible College (now shuttered) and the Pentecostal Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity (1999) , Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2019), and now working on a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Counseling Education and Supervision.
Maribel Pastored Lilly of the Valley, Church of God, a Hispanic Community in Medford, Oregon. Dan Pastored, at the same time, Family Life Church, Medford, Oregon. They both were each other's assistant in their perspective communities. Dan and Maribel were able to bring together an English speaking, Spanish speaking, and a Deaf (non-hearing) community as "one" in community.
While serving in the military, Dan spent his last 13 years as an Army Chaplain, previously enlisted for seven years as a Communication Specialist. As an Army Chaplain, Dan often pastored Chapel Services ranging from the Gospel Service, General Protestant Service, to an Assembly of God Samoan Chapel Service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Meanwhile, Maribel supported her husband and often found herself assisting in the Family Readiness Groups when Dan deployed to Iraq or the Middle East (Kuwait) and also working with the Protestant Women of the Chapel. Dan and Maribel are proud parents of David (and Megan) with Olive (2nd grand); Michelle (and Street Wise Hercules) with Lilly (1st grand) and soon to be MJ, (3rd grand).