“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9
Writing to believers in Christ experiencing persecution, Peter advocates for holy living. Seven times in his letter he uses the word “holy.” “Holiness implies … no hint of moral pollution or defilement; free from anything that would offend a perfect God” (NKJV Study Bible, 2007).
So how can an incarcerated individual be holy? How will any person measure up to our holy God when this world is always pulling us away from His standards? It can start to feel hopeless. But it is not impossible.
The Holy Spirit leads and changes us; this is the “sanctification of the Spirit” we read of in 1 Peter 1:1. Into our daily lives we might incorporate devotional time, fellowship with other believers, worship through “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:18), and an attitude of surrender. But the real reason we are holy before a God who said, “Be holy, as I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16) is because Jesus gave His righteousness to us, paying for it at the cross. He bore our sin “so we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
So how can an incarcerated individual be holy? How will any person measure up to our holy God when this world is always pulling us away from His standards? It can start to feel hopeless. But it is not impossible.
The Holy Spirit leads and changes us; this is the “sanctification of the Spirit” we read of in 1 Peter 1:1. Into our daily lives we might incorporate devotional time, fellowship with other believers, worship through “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:18), and an attitude of surrender. But the real reason we are holy before a God who said, “Be holy, as I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16) is because Jesus gave His righteousness to us, paying for it at the cross. He bore our sin “so we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Scripture Focus
1 Peter 2:4-12
Insight
Written by Stephen R., California State Prison, Corcoran, CA. Please pray that Stephen will feel the leading of the Holy Spirit as he seeks to honor God.
Bible In A Year
- Leviticus 9-10
- Psalm 50
- Luke 14