Be holy, because I am Holy

Every Christian must worry about living a life in holiness, away from the sin and corruption of this world because the Bible cammands us that again and again. The Bible tells us that we should be imitators of God, and God is very holy, so we must strive to be imitators of Him and live a life that leads each day towards holiness.

The apostle Peter wrote:

16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 1:16-19

Living in holiness is not an option for the Christian, it is a duty that is linked to our daily life and we must ask God for wisdom and strength for it, and one of the great ways to conduct ourselves in holiness on a day to day basis is something that Jesus Himself said: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation”. With our own strength we can do nothing, but it is very different when we give everything we are to the Lord, when we understand that we are not strong, but we are weak men and women in the hands of a powerful God.

Another very important thing that we must remember is where we came from, since our previous way of living was completely vain, without God, we loved sin, we were slaves of our own desires, however, we have been rescued from that life and now we form a new life with Christ Jesus, thanks to the great sacrifice He made on the cross.

So, if we have been rescued from the previous life, this means that we can no longer live as before, we should no longer be as before, now we are a new creature and we no longer live for ourselves but for God. Therefore, dear brothers, let us live a life in holiness as our Faithful Lord is Holy.

Holiness, then, is not simply a concept to admire but a path that must be intentionally walked. Many believers struggle with the idea of holiness because they associate it with perfection, yet the Bible teaches holiness as a direction, a continual pursuit of God that transforms our thoughts, actions, and desires. This pursuit begins in the heart, allowing the Spirit of God to cleanse and renew us day after day. Walking in holiness means recognizing that our identity has changed; we are no longer children of darkness but children of light, called to reflect the character of our Lord.

It is also important to understand that holiness is developed through daily obedience. Small decisions—what we watch, what we say, how we treat others, the thoughts we entertain—shape our spiritual life. By yielding these areas to God, our hearts become more sensitive to His voice. This is why Scripture repeatedly calls us to guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from them. Holiness is not produced overnight but through constant dependence on God’s grace and daily submission to His will.

Peter reminds us that our redemption did not come from earthly riches but from the precious blood of Christ. Reflecting on this helps us cultivate gratitude and reverence. If Christ paid such a high price for our salvation, how can we return to the empty lifestyle we once lived? Remembering the cross strengthens our resolve to live differently, not out of fear, but out of love for the One who rescued us. Holiness becomes a joyful response to His mercy.

Furthermore, living in holiness allows the world to see the transforming power of God. Our testimony gains weight when others notice integrity, compassion, purity, and humility in our conduct. A believer who walks in holiness becomes a light in the midst of darkness, inspiring others to seek the same God who has changed us. Our holy living is a witness, a sermon that speaks louder than words.

Finally, the call to holiness prepares us for eternity. The Bible says that without holiness no one will see the Lord. This does not mean we must achieve perfection but that we must walk aligned with God, allowing Him to mold us. Holiness keeps our hearts focused on the eternal kingdom rather than on the temporary pleasures of this world. Let us, therefore, continue to seek the Lord with sincerity, asking Him each day to cleanse us and strengthen us to live in a way that honors His holy Name.