A Holy Standard

As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. I Peter 1:15 (NKJV)

Holy, according to Webster is defined as: 1. dedicated to religious use; sacred 2. spiritually pure; sinless

Be holy in all your conduct. In all my conduct means 24/7. Is it a little overwhelming when you begin to consider the magnitude of that statement based on the definition of the word?

After salvation, our old nature wants to pull us back into our sinful past. But in Christ, we need to be holy in everything we do. We must establish a standard; a model for living. A standard gives us a focus point or goal, making us less likely to stumble, and allows us to have something good to return to when we fall. Our priorities should be like Christ's, and the Holy Spirit is our power for living holy lives.

Because Christ is holy, He sets the standard for holiness. He is our example. Where do we begin? Read His Word. Every book in the Bible directs us to holy living.

As I studied this verse, a coin became my visual application. One of the verses that came to my mind is Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. A coin has two sides; heads and tails. The two sides to holiness are dying and living. In order to live a life that is spiritually pure, we must die to our flesh, our sinful desires, and live holy lives in the power of Christ. Dying and living.

Don't blend in with the world. Be different because God's qualities are what make us different. Don't be influenced by sin, run away from it. God calls us to holiness. He expects us to imitate Him by following His standards.

Each day, as we deal with circumstances and uncertainties, we can touch a coin and be reminded of our standard; our choice to live holy lives and die to sin. Because Christ lives in us, we posses His power for living and we can live holy lives!

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for your love and mercy. You care about us and call us to holiness. You have given us your example for holy living. Help us to live Your standard of holiness.

Janet Stutzman