Saint Ignatius said, “It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey.” 

Holiness changes us to the core.  God created us in His image.  Much like a baby who grows into an adult,  holiness grows the believer to be like God.  We won’t be all-knowing, or all-powerful, or unchangeable, His God-traits, but we will grow into HIs communicable attributes of love, forgiveness, and holiness.

Some see God’s “rules” as restrictive, arbitrary, and irritating when, in reality, they provide freedom from guilt, shame, regret, sorrow, a broken relationship, and the list goes on.  Like a parent stopping a little child from wandering out in the street with heavy traffic, God gives us rules for safety and happiness that leads to an abundant life filled with the presence and blessing of God.  

In one of the churches I pastored, a very challenging person would get up and leave when I was preaching. A nasty tongue, open ridicule, and malicious actions seemed relentless.  It would have been a relief to dish out some nasty words in my defense.  My feelings said retaliate.  My mind, with the Holy Spirit’s help, said Scripture—Forgive as I have forgiven you,”  “Pray for those who despitefully use you,” “Be kind and compassionate.” The Spirit also reminded me God could handle that person far better than I.  In times of “wanting” to retaliate, “waiting” on the Lord proved far better.  I’m thankful the Holy Spirit didn’t let me run into the heavily trafficked street but took me by the hand to a safe place.

ADD TO YOUR FAITH

Being a follower of Jesus isn’t a static, one-time encounter but a maturing experience in character development.  It’s loving God deeply.  At a pastor’s meeting a few years ago,  I will not forget the words of our speaker who, for years, struggled with moral and emotional issues.  His life changed when he grasped how much God loved him.  He gained the ability to say no to temptations that returned by saying,  “God, I love You more,” and then he walked away from the temptation. 

In a nutshell, when we love God we want to do what He says.  “I love You more” becomes our mantra, our song.  More than the desire, or temptation, more than that shiny object, 

Peter understood God’s amazing love always reached him in his struggles and failures.  After Peter denied Jesus, the only questions Jesus asked him was, “Do you love Me, Peter?”  Love is the basis of holiness.

Peter urges his readers to” make every effort“—be diligent, accurate, vigilant, rigorous—in loving Jesus.  When we do, we will add to our faith and maturity.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).  

Adding to our faith as a result of increasing knowledge of Jesus provides divine help to become like Him as we escape the corruption of the world (2 Peter 1:3-4).  And,  growing love for God will help us “never stumble” (2 Peter 1:9-11).

The story of Corrie Ten Boom tells of God’s help to forgive a Nazi prison guard in the concentration camp where her sister died.  After speaking at a church, the guard approached her to commend her message of forgiveness.  Now a Christian, he came to her and said, “Will you forgive me?”  Coldness clutched her heart, but knowing forgiveness was not an emotion, but an act of her will, she prayed,  “Jesus help me.”   She mechanically thrust her hand into the guard’s hand stretched out to her.  As she did, a current began in her shoulder, ran down her arm and into her hands.  God’s healing warmth flooded her body, and with tears in her eyes, she said, “I forgive you, my brother, with all my heart.”

Love covers a multitude of sins.  God in us enables us to do more than we think we can – like forgiving a Nazi guard.   Self-control, a fruit of the Spirit, can stop my tongue from speaking evil.  I can say no to temptations.  I can forgive someone who hurt me terribly and enjoy the freedom that comes.  And joy runs deep in the soul. The Holy Spirit living within enables moral power and the fruit of holiness.  

Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him (2 Peter 3:14). 

BECOMING PURE

Being a student of God’s Word will teach us purity.  Our behavior changes.  For example, “So then, stop doing anything to hurt others. Don’t lie anymore, and stop trying to fool people. Don’t be jealous or say bad things about others” (1 Peter 2:1 ERV).  

This verse provides enough homework for any Christian, myself included.  Scripture is very easy to understand – don’t lie, don’t say hurtful things. It’s obvious.  When I do things the Scripture says to stop doing, I need to repent, and, thankfully, Jesus forgives.  We’ve all been there.  When we can say,  “I love You, more, Jesus,” more than wanting to say bad things about others,  or more than being jealous of my neighbor’s new car, or more than being deceitful and fooling others, it’s then that holiness is working purity in me.   

 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  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.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

 “Holy is the way God is. God does not conform to a standard. He is the standard. He is holy with an infinite, incomprehensible fullness of purity incapable of being other than it is. Because he is holy, all His attributes are holy; that is, whatever we think of as belonging to God must be thought of as holy” (A. W. Tozer). 

KNOWING JESUS OF THE SCRIPTURES

Peter knew God’s relentless love changed his life.  It was the motivation for holiness.  He walked with Jesus, saw him with his own eyes, touched him, and heard the Father say, “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.”  Peter’s emphasis on the knowledge about Jesus in the Scripture is faith-building.  Head knowledge leads to heart knowledge that produces godly conduct.   Five times Peter credits having a strong knowledge of Jesus as necessary to holiness.   The knowledge of Jesus gives generous grace and peace (1 Peter 1:2).

Knowledge of Jesus believes His divine power gives everything we need for living a godly life (2 P 1:3). 

Knowing who Jesus provides the strength to resist the alluring enticements in the world (2 P 2:20).

Loving Jesus and knowing more about his life and teachings coach us to say no to sexual sin and develop moral excellence (2 P 1:5-8).

This knowledge of Jesus leads to purity (1 P 1:22-23). 

The sinless perfection of Jesus rubs off on us as we rub shoulders with Him.  We want to please Him.  The more we “taste” of the goodness of Jesus, the more our hearts grow fonder(1 Peter 2:2,3).  Holiness is the by-product of loving God. 

A MOTIVATION OF PURITY—JESUS RETURN

Peter closes his second letter calling believers to live in purity and to be ready for the coming of Jesus.  The heavens and earth will disappear (2 Peter 3:10).

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming (2 Peter 3:11, 12).

Peter says it’s an excellent thing to attain to holiness.  Considering our eventual eternity with the One we love motivates us to live in such a way as to please Him.  We want to live in purity.   Holiness calls us to love God first and most.  Scripture, like a salve, will heal our fleshly desires as it guards against being led astray. It will help us know the seasons, ready for His return. 

An exceptional strength of faith develops by hearing and applying the Word of God. 

When I hear a worship song for the first time, the melody or the words may not affect me nor stay with me.  But, once I  know the song and love the song, it gets into my spirit—filling my thoughts.  I sing it over and over. That’s the time the song has moved from my head to my heart–loving and singing it.  

That is the way of Scripture; it gets into my spirit, awakens me in the night, speaks to me through the day.   My behaviors begin to align with the likeness of Jesus.  I am becoming holy. 

In the last chapter and verse of Peter’s writing, he appeals to believers to thrive in holiness.  Don’t be carried away by falling into error from a lack of knowing the Scripture, but grow in the grace that comes from knowing Jesus and the Word of God.  Holiness is the outcome.   

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”  2 Peter 3:18.

If you don’t have a Bible reading plan established, start today, (click here). Join me on the journey of holiness. 

“It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey.”  Saint Ignatius  

Come with us to Part 5 THE SUBMISSION OF HOLINESS

God calls us to live by a higher standard as we represent Him in our daily living.  Following the example of Jesus helps us submit to authorities, employers, and our spouse.