1st Peter 1:13-16
We continue today on this little Epistle of Peter with its wisdom and encouragement. In the verses for today the fledgling church are told they are to be holy. Holy, when used in our cultural context (Glasgow, 21st century) is very often used as a pejorative of someone who is a bit straight laced, often humourless and frequently accused of being a “bible thumper”. Who would want to be described in these terms? Not me.
When Peter writes of being holy he is writing about conforming to Christ’s life not the life of those who do not know Christ. To live life fully was to live it in light of Christ (and his way of life) and in that way only could we realise our full potential as human beings.
When at Communion, the minister says that the bread and wine is, “being set apart from their common use to this holy use and mystery”, he or she is expressing something of what is intended here. Holiness is not being or doing religious things but belonging to Christ and shaping our lives (in the ordinary things) so that they reflect His.
We continue today on this little Epistle of Peter with its wisdom and encouragement. In the verses for today the fledgling church are told they are to be holy. Holy, when used in our cultural context (Glasgow, 21st century) is very often used as a pejorative of someone who is a bit straight laced, often humourless and frequently accused of being a “bible thumper”. Who would want to be described in these terms? Not me.
When Peter writes of being holy he is writing about conforming to Christ’s life not the life of those who do not know Christ. To live life fully was to live it in light of Christ (and his way of life) and in that way only could we realise our full potential as human beings.
When at Communion, the minister says that the bread and wine is, “being set apart from their common use to this holy use and mystery”, he or she is expressing something of what is intended here. Holiness is not being or doing religious things but belonging to Christ and shaping our lives (in the ordinary things) so that they reflect His.