“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1Peter 1:15, 16).
Exploring the subject of the cross as a sanctifying event we encountered what seemed to be a contradiction. Hebrews 10:10 revealed to us the most important aspect of what has been accomplished by the cross: namely our sanctification/our holiness. “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10).
But, a few verses on, we read that “…by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14).
Verse 10 refers to our holiness as a status and final “product”. We have been “declared” holy and by Christ’s blood we have been cleansed completely and finally, seated in the heavenly realms with Christ (Ephesians 2:6).
Verse 14 refers to our holiness as the spiritual growth/spiritual journey – a lifelong process, which will end with our complete and eternal “change” at the trumpet’ sound (1Cor.15:52).
Now, why sanctification/holiness? We may be OK with the concept of being saved; being reconciled; being set free…why being made holy?
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1Peter 1:15, 16).
Someone may say, “God is holy. So what?” Many people live their lives based on that attitude.
Things get complicated when the un-holy meets the Holy One (there will be a “meeting”, sooner or later). What happens then?
If you are OK living separated from God, then “Who cares?” is just the right attitude. You will live separated from God, without God, your whole life plus an eternity in a very uncomfortable place, to say the least.
But if you want to see God, then “…be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). Here we find an incentive to seek holiness. The only way to “see” God is to be holy…to be sanctified. Eternal life is lived in God’s presence…seeing Him at all times…living constantly in His presence. Hence the need for holiness. Be holy!