1Pet 1:14 As children of obedience, do not be fashioned according to the former lusts in your ignorance; 15 But according to the Holy One who called you, you yourselves also be holy in all your manner of life; 16 Because it is written, ``You shall be holy because I am holy.'
[Part 3 of 3] When we were regenerated, the holy nature of the Father was imparted to us. This holy nature that is now within us is the basic factor for us to live a holy manner of life. Once again we may use fruit trees as an illustration. If an apple tree did not have the life of an apple tree, it could not possibly have the manner of life of an apple tree. But an apple tree, having an apple tree manner of life, expresses the nature of the apple tree that is within it. The principle is the same with becoming holy in all our manner of life. The Father has imparted His holy nature into us, and this is what makes it possible for us to have a life that expresses the holy God. Second, concerning a holy manner of life, the Holy Spirit is doing a sanctifying work within us. The Greek word for sanctify is the verb form of the adjective holy. When the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, He makes us holy. With the Father's holy nature within us as a basis of operation, the Holy Spirit is working in us to make us holy. Third, because we are often disobedient, we need God's discipline. For this reason, Hebrews 12:10 says that God the Father disciplines us so that we may partake of His holiness. To have a holy manner of life, we need three things: the impartation of the Father's holy nature into our being, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to make us holy, and God's discipline so that we may participate in the holiness of our holy God. These are the three factors for us to live a life of holiness. (c) 2007 Living Stream Ministry.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of First Peter, pp. 96. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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