1 Peter 1:15-16 “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.”
Be holy. What a directive! Both Old and New Testaments call us to it. And the purpose is clear. God is holy and his children should be too. But what does that look like?
I grew up thinking of holiness in legalistic terms. I bought into the caricature that “holy” people were strict and unhappy for the most part and all the women wore beehive hairdos. It took a while before I realized holiness has more to do with what’s happening on the inside than outside.
Did you know there’s a big difference between being holy and being religious?
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis describes holy people in far different terms than the stereotypes we’ve grown accustomed to. He views them as not looking “religious” at all. He says they show us kindness in a way that makes us feel like we’re being kind to them, and they always have time for us. Holy people love us more than others do, but need us less.
I think Lewis is describing someone who looks a lot like Jesus. It’s the kind of holiness I long for.
Holiness means “set apart.” But for the religious, set apart means “set above.” Jesus, although clearly set apart, never exalted himself over other people. He lived as the most non-elitist person who ever walked the earth. He delighted in bringing marginalized people—women, children, tax collectors, demoniacs—into the center. Even betrayers.
The religious always expect something in return, whether it be admiration, affirmation or affection. Jesus loved freely without expectancy. He washed dirty feet, fed multitudes, healed the sick and preached righteousness with his only reward that of pleasing his Father. And he didn’t even complain about not having a place to lay his head! Holy people don’t give to get.
Peter exhorts us to be holy. To keep walking in the truth and love deeply from the heart. We’re to let go of our temporary troubles by anticipating the inheritance that awaits us. That, friend, is what holiness looks like. And you don’t even have to put your hair in a beehive to attain it.