Month: August 2013

Yes, I have changed the theme again. I am working with a few things with the blog’s form and design, but will need to work with it over time. So for now, this theme will do. I think I have all the necessary elements in the correct places. So now we can write. 

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy for I Am Holy.'” 1 Peter 1:14-16 NASB

I want to continue the “holy” theme for just a bit today. In the last post I worked with how the meaning for the word “holy” in the New Testament is different from the Hebrew meaning in the Old Testament. The NT meaning being “set-apart” while the OT meaning carries more of the meaning we normally attribute to the word, reverence, character, purity, awesomeness etc…. So since the passage in 1st Peter quotes from the OT (Lev. 11:44; 19:2; 20:7) the inclusion of these thoughts here are appropriate. 

However, we are new covenant, born-from-above people and therefore we need to always interpret the Old through eyes of the New. In the New, we have been given that new heart and new Spirit prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31ff. We are the empowered sons of Almighty God sent into the world to bring freedom’s story of redemption to every person. We have been gifted with Him and the grace that is the normal climate for family of God. 

So as we look into the Old, we can, of course receive its truths about “holy,” but need to also see ourselves included there and not excluded. The Lord is high and lifted up in His temple, and we are that temple. So He makes us a part of His own. We are not looking up or out or to something that has not included us. 

We have become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21) through the complete work of our Lord Jesus. No longer helpless in our flesh, He abides within to make all of Heaven real to us. Therefore, we are in this age to identify with Him and His attributes. He has done the work. Now in obedience we flow in Him. 

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “ You shall be holy, for I am holy.” NASB 1 Peter 14-15

This follows what we have studied together in months gone by. However, we can reap much from it just as it is. When you get a moment, go back and re-read the chapter in 1 Peter.

We are to be, in His power and grace, the same as He is. He requires it, and He empowers it. If we misunderstand holiness or grace, this passage leaves the Believer feeling awash in their own shortcomings. That was not Peter’s intention.

To be “holy” in the New Testament is to be “set-apart.” It does not carry the meaning of the nature of character. I am to be set-apart to Him, much like what occurs when a marriage covenant is made. The members of the marriage are to be unto one another. This is the meaning here. We are not to be living in a one-sided covenant with Him. He dedicates Himself to us through a blood covenant (Jesus) and we are to receive/embrace Him and live dedicated to Him.

In that covenant we have received grace. That Son-ship placement means we have God’s privilege and power resulting in faithfulness in that dedication. It is not self-will. It is my faith-willingness wrapped in His power. That way it is included in the gift of Son-ship and not a self-will, self-centered action, but the very act of worship/love to our God and Savior. (Romans 12:1-2) Even our obedience is empowered!

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I realize I have not blogged in some time, and even though I am aware of the reasons that are present in my own life, it is still my intent to be very active as a blogger I enjoy writing this blog. It gives me the opportunity & ability to inter-act with people who love our Lord from all over the world.

Teaching our Lord's word is awesome. I have the privilege of doing that all the time and through many different venues. Yet blogging, is a very unique venue to touch the world.

Blogging is a creative outlet for me as well. So even though my teaching schedule is about to get really busy (always happens in Fall), yet that actually helps me write and blogging is a part of that call. So we are beginning again. Let's have a good time in the Word. More to come this afternoon.

I am using a blogging program on my iPad so I can learn to do this even on the move. I have been enjoying reading an e-book this morning about hidden secrets to increase joy & efficiency with this device so time to use some of these apps that have been waiting on me for months.

Now let's see how this works.

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