Commandment or declaration?

But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” –1Peter 1:15-16 (ESV)

“You shall be holy.” Depending on how we look at it, the statement can put a lot of pressure on a guy, even make us question our faith. Is it a commandment or a declaration? I recently had conversation with a brother who wanted to know how someone who professes Christ as Lord of their life could continue to struggle so much with sin. Shouldn’t the temptations and addictions be easing up by now? Shouldn’t the life of the Christian reflect Christ?

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. –Colossians 3:9-10 (NIV)

We live in a microwave world. Our tendency is to demand quick, visible results – of ourselves and of God. When the journey toward holiness takes longer than expected, it’s easy to lean toward posing or performing. Posing is a result of the fool’s errand of comparing myself to others – it assumes that other Christians have everything figured out. To save face, I’ll just pretend I’m doing better than I actually am. Performing assumes I need to try harder. If I wanted it more, if I was more diligent, I could be more holy. These responses minimize my sin and my ongoing need for the cross. They don’t get me closer to holiness.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved…. –Colossians 3:12a (NIV)

The beauty of the gospel is that God calls us holy while He is still in the process of making us holy. The “great grace exchange” is a two-parter: Not only did the sacrifice of Jesus bring us pardon from sin, but it ALSO allows us to take on His holiness. When the Father looks upon us, He sees the perfection of Christ.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. –1Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

If Paul’s experience in Romans 7 is an indicator, the ongoing struggle with sin is neither new nor unique among followers of Christ. Old habits die hard, and the “old man” must be crucified again and again. Hope comes in the fact that Jesus did the heavy lifting. The life-change that starts to become evident over time (and it will) is not a merit badge we achieve in order to earn His favor. It is a naturally occurring outcome – the fruit of abiding in Him.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. –John 15:5 (NIV)

The call to holiness: Commandment or declaration? Yes. To confess my dependence on Christ and realize my identity in Him leads to a transformation into His likeness. Keep abiding. Give the Spirit room to work. Don’t give up on yourself – He hasn’t.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. –Colossians 3:17 (NIV)