14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

— 1 Peter 1:14-16

7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

— 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.

3 And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.

— 1 John 3:2-3

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

— Ephesians 4:30

and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding Him up to contempt.

— Hebrews 6:6

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

We pursue purity and holiness because they reflect the nature of our Father and result from our new identity in Christ. This lifelong transformation is driven by a deep love for God and the work of the Holy Spirit, naturally causing us to turn away from past sins. Since we have been born again into God’s family, as children of a holy God, we naturally long to reflect His character and not act as degenerate children. Genuine faith changes the heart. Because we have been washed, sanctified, and justified, the Holy Spirit actively works within us to desire righteousness.

We will also abominate our former pollutions because we recognize the high cost of our redemption. We view sin as that which grieves God and crucified Christ, and this inspires a deep hatred for the habits of our old life. Our hidden sins and compromise can cloud our discernment and distance us from God’s presence. The Bible teaches us that sanctification is a vital indicator of authentic faith. While not required to achieve sinless perfection, our ongoing pursuit of holiness proves we are God’s children. Though we will not be perfect until we are glorified, yet if we are in Christ and trust Christ, we have been changed and on the way to full sanctification and glorification.