HOLY MOTIVES

I Pet. 1:17-21

In the first section of this chapter, Peter gives perspective, emphasizing how we can walk in hope, but now his emphasis is walking in holiness. 1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

What is he saying? The believer should live a holy life.

How to live a holy life-

1. Think Right vs. 13a “Pull your thoughts together! Have a disciplined mind!”

2. Look

   Reveal Answer
   - Live with the expectation of seeing Jesus Christ. vs.13b “The revelation of Jesus Christ”

3

it Out- vs. 14 Our Father is holy. Children inherit the nature of their parents. God is holy; therefore, as His children, we should live holy lives. We are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).

Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

1. Reveal Answer
   His Word- vs.15-16- For the child of God there is no such thing as “secular” and “sacred.” All of life is holy as we live to glorify God. Even such ordinary activities as eating and drinking can be done to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).

2. Reveal Answer
   on His Name- vs. 17a “And if ye call on the Father” We are invited, even urged to come to our Father, you are never a bother. God loves when we come to Him! He’s a present Father. We can come whenever we want to, stay as long as we want and tell Him about whatever we want.

3. Reveal Answer
   His Person- vs. 17b “judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” He’s a present Father, and He is a probing Father, He is impartial and insightful, “judgeth.”

Understand this is partly the judgment of a believer’s works. When we trusted Christ, God forgave our sins and declared us righteous in His Son Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Our sins have already been judged on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24), and therefore they will not be held against us.

But when the Lord returns, there will be a time of judgment called “the judgment seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10–12; 2 Cor. 5:9–10). Each of us will give an account of his works, and each will receive the appropriate reward. God will search into the motives for our ministry; He will examine our hearts.

Peter reminds us that we are “sojourners” on earth. Life was too short to waste in disobedience and sin (1 Pet 4:1–6). It was when Lot stopped being a sojourner and became a resident in Sodom that he lost his consecration and his testimony. Everything he lived for went up in smoke! Keep reminding yourself that you are a “stranger and pilgrim” in this world (1 Peter 1:1; 2:11).

1. Remember His
   Reveal Answer
   - vs. 18-21 We should be holy because of the character of our Father, but also because of the cross of Christ!

He reminded them of what they were. Slaves.

Where they were. Not only did we have a life of slavery, but it was also a life of emptiness, “vain conversation” means “empty lifestyle.”

What they cost- Salvation is not for sale! In essence, that’s what every world religion does, tells you that their way is the way to purchase or earn salvation. Silver and gold cannot buy peace with God.

John Philips says this offering is of inestimable value, “precious blood of Christ.”

It’s inexpressible virtue, “without spot or blemish.”