This week, we have discussed the importance of living holy, setting apart our lives from the rest of the world because we are Christ followers. This is a high calling. It is not always easy. It will require sacrifice and even, at times, persecution because of our faith. Although the calling to live holy, set-apart lives is challenging, the reward for obeying this calling far outweighs any sacrifice that we must make to live holy lives because God and His word will remain forever.
Peter explains the truth that living for Christ will lead to eternal life at the end of 1 Peter 1. He writes, "You have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God" (verse 23). If we follow Christ, we have the promise of spending eternity with Him that will never end. This is the best news, friends. Peter explains why this is the best news as he continues writing in 1 Peter 1, saying, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever” (verses 24-25). Peter reminds us in this passage of Scripture that although this world is fading away with each passing day, God and His word will never fade. No, God and His word will stand forever. Because of that, we will never, ever regret the sacrifices that come from following Him and seeking to live holy, set-apart lives. After all, we are living for what truly matters and what will never fade away.
Yes, living a holy life and seeking to honor God through our words and actions will require sacrifice and difficulties, but if we choose to follow Him despite the difficulties and hardships that it may bring, we will reap the reward for staying faithful to Him. You see, when we choose to live this way, we are investing in what will last forever. We are investing in an eternity with Him one day. Praise God that He and His word will remain forever!
God is holy and worthy of our worship. Take time to worship Him this weekend. Make plans to attend one of our weekend worship services. When you attend our services, praise Him, remembering that He will reign forever and that His word will stand forever. He is deserving of every bit of our worship!
14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.
21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
