1 Peter 1:16 - You Shall Be Holy

It is written, "You shall be holy; for I am holy."  - 1 Peter 1:16, World English; see Leviticus 11:44.

The Church must be holy; else God would never deal with them. This principle also applies to the angels; they must be holy in order to have the favor of Jehovah. And so mankind must become holy before they can be pleasing to the Father or have any fellowship with Him. God has a will for the sanctification of the whole world of mankind. But He is not exercising that will at present; He is now seeking only the class which is to compose the glorified Church of the future.  -- Excerpt from "Church Called to Sanctification", Sermon by C. T. Russell. 

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The Greek word for "holy" signifies "set apart", meaning something that is set apart for some special purpose. The same word is also often translated as "saint", which refers to one who is consecrated / dedicated to the service of God. While many may consecrate or dedicate themselves for this or that purpose, or even to God, in the end, it is God Himself, through Christ, that makes one truly holy (consecrated). 

Our own holiness or consecration to Jehovah, our God, can only be through our heart, as we always seek to bring every thought into subjection to Jehovah's will. (2 Corinthians 10:4,5) Such consecration involves constant attention in all our waking hours. It is not something that can be put on for a few hours of this or that service a week. While our minds can have such complete submission to the will of God, we will still, however, fall short in our flesh, because our flesh still has the frailties of the sinful flesh, made sinful due to the disobedience of Adam. Nevertheless, at the same time, what we think, what is found in our heart, will affect our conduct in the flesh, so that the closer we come to perfection in holy thinking, the more our flesh will respond in that direction. (Luke 6:45) Thus, the goal of our mind should be absolute holiness, a mind that is constantly set on and trusting Jehovah and His son. -- Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 1:9. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Other comments:

Jesus, through his life, and through the things he taught carried a message of mercy, a message of peace, and even to the Jews who failed to keep the law, he said they were to be holy. The Jews, however, had been for centuries trying to be holy through obedience to law, but they had failed since sinful flesh will always fall short of the glory of God. Now, however, their Messiah had come, and things were different. Jesus' sacrifice of himself provided a way that those Jews could become dead to law, but regenerated as a child of God.  -- RRD.

As new creatures in Christ, we can be fully holy. Nevertheless, this does not mean that we in our bodies of sinful flesh are able to keep God's law in the absolute sense, any more than the Jews. The child of God does not keep God's Law in the sense that we totally and fully no longer have any imperfection of word, thought or actions. Through faith in Christ's sacrifice for us, however, all our imperfections, all our sins, are counted as being canceled due to faith in Christ. Thus, in God's sight, they do not exist. God looks upon us as sinless new creatures apart from the sinful flesh, and thus the new creature keeps the spirit of the Law in the heart, although the fallen flesh will fall short in doing so -- RRD.. 

Related:

New Creatures - Perfect in Holiness

Herein is My Father Glorified

Ephesians 5:15,16 -- Watch Carefully How You Walk

Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  - (Ephesians 5:15,16, World English)

The Greek word translated "watch carefully" as used above is not referring only to seeing with the physical eye, but includes the meaning: "to turn the thoughts or direct the mind to a thing, to consider, contemplate, to look at, to weigh carefully, examine" and it also includes the meaning of "turning towards any quarter". For the child of God, it denotes being aware of one's surroundings, not with the thought of experiencing all the evil that is around us, but rather that the new creature is to be on the lookout for recognition of various forms of evil, so that we might use our time wisely in harmony with God's will, and not with that which is evil. Such calls for wisdom that comes, not from man of sinful flesh, but rather from above. (James 3:15,17) Such wisdom seeks to know God's will in all things, and promotes loyalty to God and His Word regardless of circumstances and surroundings. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Other Comments:

Our watchfulness often depends on our ability to "see" things from the correct spiritual perspective. All of those who belong to Christ are at many different levels of spiritual development, and some may be able to see spiritual things more clearly than others. Paul speaks of those who, although consecrated, continue to think as babes in Christ. Often, what one thinks up beyond what is written is then thought of as thinking "spiritually". As a result, one may walk according to the carnal wisdom, rather than according to the wisdom of God. 

We are told that we are to be "redeeming" the time. The Greek word "redeeming", as used here, may mean to "take full advantage of". The world offers many distractions from our service to God and Jesus, and such distractions can be time-consuming. We have to be mentally alert so that we do not become carried away with such distractions and we fail to walk wisely before God. In all that we do, we should be constantly mindful of Jesus, his Father, and the righteous principles they have given us in the Bible. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Related:

Because the Days Are Evil

Songs in the Night - December 13.

03-12 - 1 Timothy 1:5 - End of the Charge is Love

Proverbs 4:32 -- Keep Your Heart

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. -- Proverbs 4:23, Green's Literal.

Our physical heart provides the sources of the blood that is pumped throughout our body, sustaining life in our body. The figurative heart pertains to our thoughts, desires, and affections. In proportion as our heart is primarily set on love for our Heavenly Father, our heart will produce righteous thoughts, desires, and affections. Although our body of sinful flesh may offer hindrance, the heart stayed on Jehovah will produce activities that are in harmony with the love of and service of Jehovah. If we do not seek to diligently keep our hearts in harmony with our God through Jesus, some evil ambition will undoubtedly creep in. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

More Comments:

The Hebrew word rendered "keep" is a verb that carries the meaning of "watch, guard, keep". The Hebrew word rendered as "diligence" is a noun that carries several meanings. It can refer to prison or a place of confinement. It can also mean to guard, to watch. These two words together appear to be referring to the thought that we need to protect our heart above all else we might need to guard or give our attention to. Our heart, of course, is referring to our inner thoughts, desires, motives, and ambitions. To the extent that we control our heart, such will be reflected in our actions. 

Jesus stated, "The things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart, and they defile the man. For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies." (Matthew 15:18,19, World English)  He also stated: "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45, World English) Our text harmonizes well with what Jesus said, showing how our heart influences who we are.

From the heart are the issues of life. The Hebrew word rendered as "issues" in the translation above also has a variety of meanings. Brown-Driver-Briggs gives it the following meanings: "outgoing, extremity, source(?), escape". Some translations render this word as "source" in Proverbs 4:32, but this definition may be questionable. Evidently, the only place in the Bible where some give it this meaning is in this verse. Nevertheless, as the physical heart pumps blood throughout our body, providing life, so our inner being, what we think, etc., can lead us on a path of righteousness, resulting in life, or on a path of what is bad, leading to death. Thus, it is indeed essential for us to guard our hearts, that we dwell on what is good in God's eyes, rather than on the foolish and bad thoughts that can lead one away from life.  -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

See also: Daily Heavenly Manna for January 27

Related Scriptures:

Deuteronomy 4:9; Deuteronomy 5:29; Deuteronomy 6:5,6; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 2 Chronicles 12:14; Psalm 22:26; Psalm 31:10; Psalm 57:7; Psalm 139:23,24; Proverbs 14:30; Proverbs 16:1; Isaiah 26:3; Jeremiah 17:9,10; Matthew 5:8; Matthew 9:4; Matthew 12:35; Matthew 15:18,19; Mark 7:21-23; Mark 14:38; Romans 2:5; Romans 10:8; Hebrews 3:8; Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 12:15; James 1:14,15.

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* Matthew 6:34 - Don't Be Anxious

Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient. -- Matthew 6:34, World English

Our Lord assures us that if the main thought of our hearts is His service and the promotion of righteousness and an attainment of the Kingdom, which God has promised to them that love Him, then we need carry no anxious cares respecting the future. As His disciples we will have trials and tribulations enough, day by day, and will need daily to lean upon Jehovah's arm as we seek to walk our narrow way. Sufficient for each day will be the evil of itself; and thanks be to God also, we have the promise that daily His grace shall be sufficient for us. -- Based on excerpt from: We Cannot Serve God and Mammon. Watch Tower, February 1, 1898, page 42 (R2259).

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The children of God, in seeking God's Kingdom and His righteousness as the primary thing in their lives, have no need to be anxious about their daily needs. This does not mean that we will have what our sinful flesh may deem to be necessary, but rather it is what God deems necessary according to His Will. Nor does it mean that we can neglect our earthly obligations. And yet, having trust and faith in our Heavenly Father, we should not become anxious about the future. Even the world recognizes that having negative thoughts about the future is detrimental to one's well-being, and this should apply even more so to the child of God whose faith and trust in the Heavenly Father. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Related Scriptures: Exodus 16:18-20; 1 Kings 3:13; 17:4-6,14-16; Job 38:41; Psalm 34:9; Psalm 37:5; Psalm 37:25; Psalm 55:22; Psalm 104:10,11; Psalm 127:2; Psalm 147:9; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Lamentations 3:21-25; Jeremiah 17:7,8; Matthew 6:11; Matthew 6:25-33; Matthew 13:22; Luke 11:3; Luke 12: 24-26; Luke 12:31; Luke 21:34; John 14:27; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:32; 1 Corinthians 7:32,33; Philippians 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 13:5,6; 1 Peter 5:7.

STRENGTH SUFFICIENT

OH, ask not thou, "How shall I bear

The burden of tomorrow?"

Sufficient for the day the care,

Its evils and its sorrow,

God imparteth by the way

Strength sufficient for the day.

Related (We do not necessarily agree with all statements given):

"Worrying Needlessly"

"A Day At A Time"





Feel free to add your comments below.

* Philippians 4:8 - Whatever Things Are True, Venerable.

{Philippians 4:8} Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are venerable, ... think about these things. -- RLIV.

Philippians 4:6 - In Nothing Be Anxious

{Philippians 4:6} In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. - RLIV.

THE question may arise, Why will not God give us the things which He sees us to need without our making petition to Him and claiming His promises? Undoubtedly because we need previously to come into the proper attitude of heart to receive His favors and to be advantaged by them. Even as it is, we may be sure that we do not sufficiently appreciate the divine care bestowed upon us hitherto and now. Even in the attitude of prayer and thanksgiving we probably do not discern one-half of our causes for gratitude, as we shall see them by and by, when we shall know even as we are known. -- Charles Taze Russell, Excerpt from "Rejoice in the Lord Alway", The Watch Tower, January 1, 1903, page 5 (quote is from page 8, Reprints page 3128).

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If our hearts are overly-anxious about life's affairs we are surely being robbed of rest and peace, which, in turn, would indicate a lack of faith. In everything, in affairs in the home, in business cares, in guidance of wayward children, in poverty, in all trials, cares, temptations, wants, woes, disappointments, calamities, failures, etc., we should always cast our burden on Jehovah through prayer, and we are assured that He will sustain us. (Psalm 55:22) At the same time, we should constantly be thankful for whatever His providences may allow. The thankful heart of the child of God recognizes that He who favored us and redeemed us through His Son will even more so favor us and do for us now that we are His. 

We doubt that any of God's people will claim that their lives are 100% without anxiety. Nevertheless, when we get any kind of anxious feeling, we should immediately take the matter to the Heavenly Father in prayer, and leave it with him. Doing so will alleviate the anxiety that might otherwise cripple our faith and servitude of our Father through Jesus. Additionally, we should always keep in mind what Paul stated: "Rejoice in Jehovah always! Again I will say, Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4, RLIV) While it may be difficult to have rejoicing in our hearts while undergoing unpleasant circumstances, such rejoicing will help alleviate anxiety and make all distressing experiences more bearable.

Sadly, many in the world make requests to stars, cakes, Santa Claus, and many other things. Paul tells us that we should make our requests, our petitions, known to God, our Heavenly Father. In whatever we ask of the Father, however, it should not be for the satisfaction of the desires of our sinful flesh. James tells us, "You ask, and don't receive, because you ask amiss, so that you may spend it for your pleasures." (James 4:3, World English) Prayers for fleshly desires may actually increase anxiety rather than alleviate anxiety. Our prayers should always be in harmony with what Jesus said to his Father: "Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."  (Luke 22:42, World English) Again, this should be from the heart, not just an outward expression, otherwise, our hearts may become subject to anxiety. 

Paul also mentions thanksgiving. Heartfelt thanksgiving shows appreciation for the Heavenly Father's provisions, not just for any fleshy sustenance, but more importantly, for all help along spiritual lines. Such thankfulness, however, should be not simply a matter of words recited by the mouth, but it should come from the inner being of the child of God. 

-- Ronald R. Day, Sr. (ResLight)

Related:

BSM Aids * Video

Cast Your Care Upon Him

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* Philippians 4:5 - Let Your Gentleness Be Known

Romans 8:3,4 -- Sin in the Flesh Condemned

{Romans 8:3} For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; 

{Romans 8:4} that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. -- RLIV.

Jesus, while in the days of his flesh (Hebrews 5:7), through his absolute obedience to God, thereby condemned sin the flesh. None of Adam's offspring could do this, for they were all of sinful flesh, having been made so through the sin of Adam. (Romans 5:12-19) Jesus' flesh, however, was prepared by God separate from the condemnation in Adam. (Hebrews 10:5) Thus, Jesus is the only human being that was born into this corrupted world without sin, and he was the only human being that could offset the condemnation of mankind through Adam, if he -- unlike Adam -- remained without sin. Jesus did remain without sin, and thus could offer up his sinless humanity on behalf of Adam and all who are dying in Adam. (1 Corinthians 15:21,26; 1 Timothy 2:5,6; 1 Peter 2:22-24; 3:18) Jesus, by his obedience, proved that a sinless human being could obey God's law, and thus, by means Jesus' sacrifice of his humanity, God remained just while providing a means of justification to the sinner through Jesus. -- Romans 3:26.

Further comments:

As Adam was sinless before he sinned and brought sin into the world of mankind (Romans 5:12), the God and Father of Jesus (Micah 5:4; Ephesians 1:3) especially prepared a sinless body for Jesus (Hebrews 10:5) so that Jesus, while in the days of his flesh (Hebrews 5:7), did not inherit the sin of Adam and its condemnation. (Romans 5:12-19) Unlike Adam, however, Jesus, while in the days of his flesh, never fell short of the glory of his God (Romans 3:23), and thus could offer his body of flesh with its blood to his God for our sins. 

It is only because Jesus was indeed a human being, having the full crown of glory a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:9), sinless -- never having fallen short of the glory of God  (Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5) -- that Jesus' obedience condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:30, and by his sacrifice of his humanity, made the way for God to remain just, while yet justifying the sinner. -- Romans 3:26.

Nevertheless, we believe that Jesus, before he became flesh, had a mighty glory when he was with his God from a time even before the world of mankind was made. (John 1:1-3; 17:1,3,5) When he became, or was made flesh (John 1:14), Jesus received from his God (Micah 5:2) a body of flesh (Hebrews 10:5), with a glory of a sinless man, a little lower than the angels. (Hebrews 2:9) Jesus sacrificed that body of flesh with its blood as an offering to God for our sins. -- Hebrews 9:11,12,23,24,25; 10:1,10.

Jesus condemned sin the flesh, and his offering for sin provided for justification, something that the Law could not do because of weakness of the flesh, which all of Adam's descendants have inherited through Adam. 

Paul many times made it clear that one cannot be justified by keeping the Law Covenant, and he made it clear that the only way one can be justified in this age is through faith in Jesus. At the same, we need to remember that the Law Covenant is based on God's eternal righteous standards, thus the Law presents the righteous principles of God's law of love. Thus, Paul wrote, that Jesus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk after the law covenant given to flesh, but rather after the spirit, the law of love. Thus, the goal of a regenerated child of God is to cultivate the fruit of the spirit. -- Galatians 5:22,23. 

-- Ronald R. Day, Senior.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for February 24 * BSM Aids * Video

What Law Was Weak?

How God's Son Condemned Sin in the Sinful Flesh

Sinful Flesh

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James 1:26 -- Bridle the Tongue

James 1:26 - If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. -- New American Standard Version.

The word "religious" is translated from a word that carries various shades of meaning. Abbot-Smith gives it the meaning of "careful of the outward forms of divine service." It is common to confuse the service of God with outward ritual or sectarian religious devotion, which, in effect, may be a devotion to ceremony and/or to certain leaders, placing such leaders as being the same as, or having some kind of exclusion in representing God and Christ.

However, James applies this in the context of the use of the tongue, regarding the words that come forth from our mouth. One may profess to honor God with the lips, but words spoken in common usage reveal what is in the heart. -- Matthew 15:8; Mark 7:6; Luke 6:45. 

A bridle is used to guide a horse or other animal. James used this as a figure of how we should guide, or control our tongue, that is, the words we speak. James expresses in the context that if one has full control of his tongue so as to not trespass with his words, that one is a perfect man. At the same time, he points out that this is not the case, for we all use our tongue in some way that falls short of the glory of God, due to the fallen flesh. (Romans 3:23; 5:12-19) Although it should not be, we all at times misuse our tongue for gossip, slander, cursing, and/or swearing, often without realizing we have done so. James tells us, however, that we should, to a great extent, gain control over the words we speak, even if that control is not fully perfected in our fallen flesh. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

More comments:

Most of us commit some sin every day; if not every day, at least many times every week, possibly without even being aware that we have fallen short, especially when it come to how we use our tongue. I have not met anyone who does not in some way fall short in using their tongue. Indeed, if one has full control of his tongue that person is perfect. (James 3:2) But none of us will ever reach such perfection while we still have our sinful flesh. -- Romans 8:3. 

Whether in anger or by habit, all of God's people at times swear and may even curse, and many times gossip. (Matthew 5:33-37; James 3:3-8; 5:12) All who belong to Christ are in constant need every day to have heart repentance for such sins, while striving against all sin (Hebrews 12:4-17; James 1:26; 1 Peter 3:10), and come before the throne of grace. -- Hebrews 4:16. 

As long as our sin is due to the weakness of the flesh (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; Romans 7:18-25;8:3), it is not such a sin that brings the condemnation of the second death. (Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:16,17) Only after the new creature has an accurate knowledge of the truth, and then willfully sins (not a sin due to the weakness of the flesh), there is no more a sacrifice to be offered for such. -- Hebrews 10:26-29. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for February 20 * BSM Aids * Video

Unto the Pure All Things Are Pure

Truthful Words -- Polite Speech

Faith in Control of the Tongue

Control of the Tongue a Necessity

Common Swear and Curse Words

Swearing and Cursing

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* Proverbs 3:3 - Don't Let Kindness and Truth Forsake You

Do not let kindness and truth forsake you; fasten them around your neck. Inscribe them on the tablet of your heart. -- Proverbs 3:3, RLIV