Sermon: Holiness - The Aim of the Christian Life

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Quotes for Reflection

Rudyard Kipling, “The Way through the Woods”
They shut the road through the woods
Seventy years ago.
Weather and rain have undone it again.
And now you would never know
There was once a road through the woods.

J.I. Packer, Rediscovering Holiness
“Holy” is both biblical languages means separated and set apart for God, consecrated and made over to Him. In its application to people, God’s “holy ones” or “saints,” the word implies both devotion and assimilation: devotion, in the sense of living a life of service to God; assimilation, in the sense of imitating, conforming to, and becoming like the God one serves. For Christians, this means taking God’s moral law as our rule and God’s incarnate Son as our model; this is where our analysis of holiness must start.

J.C. Ryle, Holiness
Most people hope to go to heaven when they die, but few, it may be feared, take the trouble to consider whether or not they would enjoy heaven if they got there. Heaven is essentially a holy place. Its inhabitants are all holy. Its activities are all holy. To be really happy in heaven, it is clear and plain that we must be somewhat trained and made ready for heaven while we are on earth.

Henri Nouwen, Out of Solitude
Give me eyes to see and ears to hear. I know there is light in the darkness that makes everything new. I know there is a joy beyond sorrow that rejuvenates my heart. Yes, Lord, I know that you are, that you act, that you love, that you indeed are Light, Life, and Truth. People, work, plans, projects, ideas, meetings, buildings, paintings, music, and literature all can only give me real joy and peace when I can see and hear them as reflections of your presence, your glory, your kingdom.

Application Questions

1. How is God’s holiness important for our culture today?

2. Peter’s exhortation is to live as foreigners with reverent fear. How would that reshape your life?

3. As we begin the season of Lent, where do you sense the need for holiness in your life?