Holy Wholeness: Be Holy
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Spiritual Life Officer
USA Southern Territory
The great holiness teacher and preacher of the early Salvation Army, Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle, defined holiness as “a complete conformity in all things great and small alike to the holy will of God; being at one mind with God in all judgments of the mind, in the feelings of the heart, and in all outgoings of life, agreeing with God’s estimate of things. Holiness is that state of our moral and spiritual nature which makes us love Jesus in His moral and spiritual nature. It does not consist in perfection of intellect, though the experience will give much greater clearness to a man’s intellect and simplify and energize his operations. Nor does it necessarily consist in his perfection of conduct, though a holy man seeks with all his heart to make his outward conduct correspond to his inward light and love. But holiness does consist in complete deliverance from the sinful nature, and in the perfection of the spiritual graces of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, truth, meekness and self-control."
The definition Brengle gives is a lofty one, demanding that our soul be stretched to see it fulfilled in our lives. What makes it even more challenging is our own sense of failure despite our
best intentions and determination. We want to be all that God desires us to be, but we keep getting in the way of ourselves. Is this really something God wants from us, or have we constructed too high a standard?" The great holiness teacher and preacher of the early Salvation Army, Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle, defined holiness as “a complete conformity in all things great and small alike to the holy will of God; being at one mind with God in all judgments of the mind, in the feelings of the heart, and in all outgoings of life, agreeing with God’s estimate of things. Holiness is that state of our moral and spiritual nature which makes us love Jesus in His moral and spiritual nature. It does not consist in perfection of intellect, though the experience will give much greater clearness to a man’s intellect and simplify and energize his operations. Nor does it necessarily consist in his perfection of conduct, though a holy man seeks with all his heart to make his outward conduct correspond to his inward light and love. But holiness does consist in complete deliverance from the sinful nature, and in the perfection of the spiritual graces of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, truth, meekness and self-control.
Peter’s Challenge
Peter addressed Christians who not only faced the tests of everyday life but who were even then suffering persecution for their faith. He knew that conditions were going to deteriorate, that truly living for Christ would cost more. Listen to his challenge: “So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
Peter used an athletic illustration when he said, “prepare your minds for action.” The picture is of a man binding his long robes in such a way as to let his legs move more freely to run. We
might say today, “roll up your sleeves and get to work.” A lot of what hinders in pursuing holiness is distracted thinking and affections. Like the flowing robes that are a hindrance to running, our scattered approach to the things of God hinder us from being focused on what is most important.
He tells them to put their hopes in the gracious salvation provided through Christ. This is not a “hope-so” approach but rather a firm expectation that something that will surely happen. It is rooted in faith and absolute confidence in the salvation provided to us. It is a hope that endures not just to the end but beyond this life and clear into the next.
Obedience
Coupled with that is the demand to be obedient, remembering that God places a high premium on the obedience of His children. Jesus said it bluntly, “If you love Me, obey My commandments” (John 14:15). In the story of one of King Saul’s failures, the prophet Samuel rebuked him for his actions by saying, “’What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams’” (1 Samuel 15:22).
Be Holy, Because I am Holy
Peter concluded with the greatest challenge to the believer. “You must be holy because I am holy” (vs. 16). When God stated this, He did not point to one of the great prophets or leaders from the Old Testament. He did not refer them to any of the glorious angels or even any of the apostles who would give their lives because of their service to Him. Instead, when God chose to set the standard of holiness, He did so giving Himself as the example – “because I am holy.” Too many look to other people as their example or their inspiration but if that person stumbles or falls, they find themselves hurt, confused and sometimes embittered. People will fail. But God chose Himself as the example of holiness because He cannot fail. And holiness demands an unwavering standard.
Donald Metz has written, “God can never be less holy than He is now. God can never to more or less just than He has always been. God’s love will not increase or diminish. God does not change His love of righteousness or His hatred of sin. God remains the same in His insistence on holiness in man.”
The command to be holy is not an option. It is God’s clear standard for our Christian lives. To not seek holiness is to turn against the will of God, to retreat from God’s best purpose for our lives.
Holiness at Work
How is this played out? In the rhythm of our everyday. It is not only something we feel when in a worship service or singing a song of praise but amid dirty diapers, impatient drivers, insensitive co-workers and days crammed with too much to ever possibly finish. Commissioner Mildred Duff described it by saying, “A holy life is made up for me of a multitude of small things, little renunciations, to be decided by an overmastering desire for God’s glory, which governs every incident and accident of life that I am called to face.
The standard of holiness may seem too high for you. But if you feel overwhelmed, remember that
- God would not set a standard that He would not help us to reach
God would not place a desire in us He could not meet
- God would not make a command that He would not also provide a way for us to obey
Given that, pray now for the Holy Spirit to come in His fullness, removing whatever clutter is in the way and seek His empowerment to live a holy life. He has said He would do it. What will you do now?
Our Corporate Prayer
Dear Lord, I am so challenged when You say that I am to be holy because You are holy. What a standard! I feel so puny, so weak, so totally incapable when You make Yourself the standard! But there it is. But I also know that You make the provision for my weakness through the Holy Spirit who meets me where I am, who finds me in my brokenness and weakness, who lifts me from my longing, who cleanses and empowers me. This is to Your glory alone, dear Lord. I will be holy because You make it so. There is no other way. I submit myself wholly to You just now again and ask that You search me again to see if anything is in the way. If so, remove it and make me fit for Your service. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands Territory
Thinking It Through
How do you define a holy life? Do you believe that you are living a holy life? If not, why not? If so, why do you think you are?
Notable Quotables
You must be willing to seek holiness, not for the sake of any gain to yourself, but because you are willing that God's purpose shall be carried out in you. - Florence Booth
Now listen to a beautiful song of consecration, "I Surrender All."
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory