We are “Called to be Holy”. And that is the title of the passage in 1 Peter I am reading through and studying this morning.

“¹⁴As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, ¹⁵but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” – 1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV)

Thinking about it, I am a brother of Christ. And as we are sons of God, we are called to be obedient. I am to be an example of Christ today and therefor am to be obedient to the Father as He is obedient to the father.

I have been saved by the grace of God and the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus who went through it all for me and not for Himself. Thanks to the salvation that I have been given, I have been washed clean and received the chance to start again.

“²²Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,” – 1 Peter 1:22 (ESV)

I have been given that chance to start again and in doing so, I am to be obedient. That obedience is rooted in love for the LORD and keeping Him in my heart where His purity can reside. I am to keep the LORD there in my heart and love with that pure heart.

It is easy to fall into conforming to the world and the outside forces that are running rampant throughout. But we have been given instruction to “not be conformed” to those forces. We are to set aside our own desires and passions and live and love from the inside and our hearts as made pure thanks to the grace of God who resides there.

The Glory of the LORD shines from us as we are exhibiting the Love of Christ. His Glory starts in our heart and emanates from our heart where the LORD resides and has purified. Sharing His love is in obedience to Him and therefor our pure heart is in obedience.

Where is it that you share with the world? Are you an example on the outside only for the world to see? What if you were living according to the Word of God and allowing your obedience to Him shine through you from your heart which is pure thanks to the LORD?